ACE Conference 2026

Biofuel Industry Urges Senate to Pass Nat’l Security Legislation

Joanna Schroeder

At the close of business on Friday, the biofuel industry urged the Senate to pass legislation that would support energy independence and national security and not energy dependence and the status quo. Growth Energy, joined by the American Coalition for Ethanol, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union and National Sorghum Producers, sent a letter to all 100 U.S. Senators urging them to defeat any efforts that would damage the American ethanol industry’s growth.

The letter is in response to a Continuing Resolution that contained two anti-ethanol provisions that was approved by the Congress. The Senate is scheduled to consider a different version of a Continuing Resolution next week but one that does still include provisions that would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from implementing its approved waiver for E15 ethanol blends and prohibit construction of blender pumps and ethanol storage facilities. The ethanol industry argues that both measures would deepen our addiction to foreign oil and further hurt our economy by limiting consumer access to the only commercially viable fuel alternative to foreign oil: American ethanol.

In the letter, they wrote, “American ethanol is uniquely positioned to help America achieve energy independence. Domestic ethanol production has been and is currently a major force in the revitalization of rural America by helping to create green jobs and by stimulating economic activity in rural communities.”

Read the letter: Read More

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Kenny Wallace & RAB Racing Partner With American Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

American Ethanol has officially become an associate sponsor of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. The No. 09 Toyota Camry driven by Kenny Wallace will feature the American Ethanol logo on the hood of its car for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide season beginning this weekend with the Feb. 26, BASHAS’ SUPERMARKETS 200 race at the Phoenix International Raceway. In Phoenix the American Ethanol logo will be displayed alongside “Family Farmers.” Family Farmers is a multi-state coalition of farmers and agribusiness that will be sponsoring Wallace and the No. 9 can in five Nationwide races this season.

“Getting to know the hard working family farmers of this country has been a fantastic experience for me,” Wallace said. “I’m so excited to be a spokesperson for them, sharing true knowledge about what they do and the products and food that are made from their crops. The best part is that I’ve come to understand that our nation’s farmers are just like you and me. They want what’s best for their families, just like us. And like me as a NASCAR driver, they are responsible for their own work and take that responsibility very seriously. I’m humbled that they’ve chosen me to be an advocate for them with dedicated racing fans.”

The agricultural and ethanol industry joined together with NASCAR to further the message of ethanol’s benefits – a message that is expected to reach more than 80 million people throughout the season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kenny Wallace as an official spokesman for American Ethanol on behalf of America’s green, clean alternative fuel component. Kenny is one of the most visible and popular drivers in Nationwide,” said Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association president. “He comes from Missouri and truly appreciates the important role of corn farmers in providing consumers with a domestic fuel choice.”

Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy added, “RAB Racing with Brack Maggard and Kenny Wallace are great additions to the American Ethanol team. His enthusiasm for ethanol is obvious so he is a great spokesperson to carry ethanol’s positive messages of creating American jobs, cleaner air, and strengthening our national security by making our nation more energy independent.”

American Ethanol, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA, Racing

Enervation to Open Second Iowa Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

A company that is bringing one idled biodiesel plant in Iowa back to life is working one getting a second one operational.

The Keokuk (IA) Daily Gate City reports that Enervation, which is already getting the former Tri-City Energy plant back up to speed (see Joanna’s post from Jan. 25, 2011), has acquired a 60 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in Algona, Iowa:

After months of negotiations, Enervation’s founders, Paul Tantillo and William Dollard have come to an agreement to purchase the Algona biodiesel plant from the bank for an undisclosed amount. The 60 million gallon per year plant completed in 2007 never became operational and requires a significant amount of work to conform to the Enervation plan for the property, Tantillo said.

Enervation is now reviewing the existing permits and licenses, while the engineering team works to produce a more definitive plan to bring the plant up to the desired specifications. Enervation also intends to add additional components to the facility to create additional revenue.

“While the plant as it stands cannot produce positive cash flows, we have a strategic plan for the Algona location that enables the facility to thrive and to fulfill its promise to the community for the jobs so sorely needed in the area,” Tantillo said.

Enervation’s founders also say they want to make the biodiesel plants work without any government grants or the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit.

Biodiesel

Mr. Peanut to Ride on Biodiesel

John Davis

Look for Mr. Peanut to come to a neighborhood near you riding in his biodiesel-powered Planters Nutmobile!

As part of its sustainability efforts, Planters has launched its Naturally Remarkable campaign to highlight the company’s efforts to work and act more green. From Mr. Peanut’s Facebook page:

“Not only does the new Planters Nutmobile run on biodiesel, it harnesses the power of sunlight and wind. Just like me. Everyday.”

For more on Planters’ sustainability efforts and biodiesel-fueled Naturally Remarkable Tour, check out the company’s website.

Biodiesel

USDA Considering Biofuel Crop Insurance Program

Joanna Schroeder

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the USDA will soon be accepting proposals to study the feasibility of providing crop insurance to producers of biofuel feedstocks ranging from corn stover to straw to woody biomass. The feasibility studies will be funded by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and will be combined with current studies underway for energy cane, switchgrass and camelina.

“Providing additional risk management tools for American farmers to produce advanced biofuels crops is an important step toward developing a thriving biofuels industry and reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” said Vilsack. “Renewable energy development contributes to the Obama Administration’s effort to ‘win the future’ by supporting America’s farmers as they grow and harvest materials that can be converted into renewable energy. This effort creates new jobs and opportunities for those who live in rural America.”

These studies will help determine ways to mitigate risks to growers who grow biomass crops for biorefineries and research facilities, companies and public-private partnerships who are in the process of developing technologies to commercialize advanced biofuels. Two contracts will be funded by USDA. Those interested in applying should refer to the solicitations which will be available on FedBizOpps or on RMA’s website.

biofuels, biomass

What Would You Do For $1,000 of Free Fuel?

Joanna Schroeder

The National FFV Awareness Campaign is launching the Ohio FFV Awareness Campaign today during the Cleveland Auto Show. The goal of the campaign to raise awareness and use of higher blends of ethanol.

Douglas A. Durante, Executive Director of the Clean Fuels Foundation, the organization spearheading the Campaign said, “With rising tension in the Middle East and gasoline prices to match, FFV owners are going to be the nation’s first line of defense during the next oil shortage and/or price spike. FFV owners will have the option to use up to 85% ethanol in their FFVs while also supporting Ohio’s #1 economic engine – agriculture. Ohio has a large population of FFVs, ethanol production, a strong agricultural sector, numerous federal fleets, and automakers making FFVs. If economic development does not get everyone’s interest, we hope the $1,000 in free fuel will. These are trying times for our nation and we think FFV owners will want to try some higher blends of ethanol.”

As part of the Campaign, Ohio FFV motorists have a chance to stop by the booth during the show and register to win $20 E85 ethanol gift cards. In addition, POET Biorefining is sponsoring the $500 and $1000 FFV Awareness FlexFuel Giveaway drawings. After the event, the Ohio FFV Awareness team will continue to work with FFV dealers, E85 retailers and other stakeholders to launch the $1,000 FlexFuel grand prize.

“Many people don’t even realize that they have the option to use cleaner, American-made ethanol within their FlexFuel vehicles (FFV’s),” Bishop said. “This campaign changes that. If given the opportunity, I know even more U.S. drivers will choose to support American jobs and renewable energy by fueling up their FFVs with ethanol,” said Mike Bishop, General Manager, POET Biorefining and Vice President of Ohio Ethanol Producers.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo are 5 of the 33 markets with the highest concentration of FFV owners in the United States.

Sam Spofforth, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Ohio, a Clean Cities Coalition, added, “There are about 650,000 FFVs owners in Ohio. However, according to industry observers about 90% of FFV drivers don’t know they have a vehicle that can use any combination of gasoline ethanol up to 85% — or know that’s what makes their car flexible. We look forward to being a part of the Ohio FFV Awareness Campaign team and coordinating the selection of the $1,000 fuel giveaway winner from the state FFV owner database on July 4, 2011.”

E85, Education, Flex Fuel Vehicles

WM Rolls Out CNG Trucks

Joanna Schroeder

Waste Management (WM) and Terasen Gas are rolling out 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to collect the city of Vancouver’s commercial recycling, food waste and garbage. This is part of a sustainability initiative from WM to convert their entire Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver fleet – 100 recycling and waste collection trucks in total – to CNG. According to WM, the CNG trucks will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent and are quieter than traditional diesel engines.

“This initiative is all about clean air for the Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver,” said Dean Kattler, vice president for Waste Management-BC and Pacific Northwest. “Transitioning to clean air trucks to serve Lower Mainland communities and businesses shows Waste Management is listening to our customers and championing BC’s bid to sustain its position as a world-class sustainability leader.”

The contribution from Terasen Gas helped offset the incremental cost of the clean air trucks. Terasen, which recently announced it will be renamed and operate under the brand name FortisBC, just completed construction of a state-of-the art CNG fueling station at the Waste Management site at Coquitlam, where the trucks will fuel up.

“With significantly lower emissions and lower fuel costs, natural gas vehicles have a role in helping BC meet its environmental goals,” said Doug Stout, vice president, Energy Solutions and External Relations at Terasen Gas and FortisBC. “Our collaboration with Waste Management is an excellent opportunity to showcase the technology in the region where it is developed and encourage greater adoption of natural gas for transportation.”

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Natural Gas

POET Biorefining – Cloverdale Plans Grand Opening

Joanna Schroeder

POET Biorefining- Cloverdale, located near Cloverdale, Indiana is hosting a Grand Opening on March 15th. This is POET’s 27th ethanol plant and they purchased the 90 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant in 2010 and over the past several months have invested nearly $30 million dollars in upgrades that include BPX, a patented fermentation process that uses enzymes instead of heat, reducing energy costs. The plant also has a water recovery system and new pollution control equipment. Once the plant is online, it will employ 40 people and bring the state’s total ethanol production over their goal of 1 billion gallons.

The Grand Opening begins at 9:30 am with public tours followed by a speaking program at 11:30 am to noon that includes POET CEO Jeff Broin and Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman along with Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. At noon, lunch will be provided followed by additional public tours at 12:30 p.m. The event concludes at 2:30 pm. Media and the public are welcome to attend.

There is NO parking at the plant. Public parking is available at Martin Aggregates at 6252 US Hwy 231 South, Cloverdale, Ind. Buses will run continuously to and from the plant throughout the day.

Company Announcement, corn, Ethanol, POET

Jobe, Dinneen to Speak at Biomass Conference

Joanna Schroeder

The International Biomass Conference is set to take place in St. Louis on May 2-5, 2011 an it looks like a powerhouse agenda is coming together. During the kick-off session, the biofuel industry will unite on the roundtable: Our Industry in a Changed Political Landscape.

Both Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President & CEO Bob Dinneen, whose organization just concluded their 16th Annual National Ethanol Conference, and National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe, who recently concluded his industry’s national conference ADVANCE, will participate. During their respective conferences, each industry discussed how to better work together as a biofuel industry on policy issue in DC and earlier this month, RFA joined with several advanced ethanol companies to form the Advanced Ethanol Council.

Others joining Dinneen and Jobe on the roundtable:

  • * Moderator: Tom Bryan, Vice President, BBI International
  • * Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director, Algal Biomass Organization
  • * Charlie Niebling, Chairman, Board of Directors, Biomass Thermal Energy Council
  • * Robert Cleaves, President and Chief Executive Officer, Biomass Power Association
  • * Norma McDonald, Vice Chair, External Affairs, American Biogas Council
  • * Bob Dineen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Fuels Association
  • * Joe Jobe, Chief Executive Officer, National Biodiesel Board
  • * Michael McAdams, President, Advanced Biofuels Association

In a new feature, conference attendees can already submit questions for the panel online. Registration is currently open. To see a full proposed agenda including a list of all the other confirmed speakers as well as to see a list of the current vendors and register online, click here.

advanced biofuels, conferences

Mid East Unrest and $100 Oil

Joanna Schroeder

As U.S. crude oil touches a $100 a barrel for the second time since October 2008, consumers are seeing gasoline prices rising at the pump and oil economists are talking about the real possibility of $4.00 and $5.00 gallons of gas. Four dollar gas is close – when I bought gas yesterday it was $3.79 a gallon.

In a press conference held by ethanol industry organization Growth Energy yesterday afternoon, former politician and Growth Energy President and COO, Jim Nussle commented that with the continued Libyan fighting, an unbalanced budget and rising gas prices, he didn’t know how many more warning signs it was going to take for his former DC colleagues to realize we’re in trouble.

“America is currently in an energy crisis. That crisis didn’t just begin yesterday when we topped over a $100 a barrel of oil again,” said Nussle. “It’s been going on for years. Since we started and since we maintain our growing dependence on foreign oil.”

Growth Energy CEO, Tom Buis noted that ethanol is the only current solution to our problems. He said is not a “someday fuel,” it’s already had a major, positive impact for America. He addressed why some current Republications like Sullivan and Flake feel now is the time to block the roll-out of E15 and keep ethanol from market access is a mistake on two levels. First, the anti-ethanol provisions don’t save much money in the budget and our dependence on oil actually costs the country much more money. Second, ethanol saves consumers money at the pump. And maybe most important, ethanol is American made.

Buis added, ““During a fragile economic recovery, when many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, we cannot continue a policy that keeps us addicted to foreign oil – especially as political upheaval in the Mid East and North Africa pushes gas prices closer and closer to $5 a gallon. If we truly want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen this country’s economy and national security, we must invest in the alternative fuels we have the capacity to produce here in the United States,” added Buis.

You can listen to the entire press conference (taped from the a coffee shop in Sacramento where I was attending an event) where Tom Buis and Jim Nussle where joined by Gen. Wesley K. Clark (Ret.) here: Mid East Unrest & $100 Oil

Ethanol, Growth Energy, International, Oil