ACE Wraps up Successful Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) wrapped up its 34th annual conference in Minneapolis on Friday after a great two days of exciting information that had attendees feeling upbeat about the future despite facing some of the same challenges.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings says everyone was happy to be together and drew strength from each other, even as news reports swirled on Friday that the administration was planning to hit the industry with another punch by possibly lowering the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the RFS. “Unnamed sources are telling Reuters well, we think they’re either going to lower them or they’re not going to issue them and that tells me people don’t know,” said Jennings.

The conference program focused heavily on the low carbon opportunities for ethanol.

“…ACE has been highlighting how climate-smart farming practices, efficiencies at ethanol plants, and the capture and sequestration of biogenic CO2 from facilities puts ethanol on a trajectory to reach both net-zero and net-negative emissions — a trajectory that is unique to ethanol,” Jennings stated in his remarks, adding that ACE has also “helped mobilize diverse coalitions comprised of some environmental groups and electric vehicle advocates to pursue new technology-neutral clean fuel policies at the state and federal level that will ensure a growing market for low carbon ethanol even as overall petroleum use declines.”

Listen to Jennings’ remarks and wrap-up interview below.

ACE 2021 CEO Brian Jennings remarks 19:36

ACE 2021 CEO Brian Jennings wrap up interview 9:24

2021 Annual ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE Conference Virtual Newsroom

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, carbon capture, Ethanol, Ethanol News

USDA Invests $26 Million in Biofuel Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $26 million to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels by 822 million gallons annually in 23 states.

The announcement includes investments in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) notes that the grants include funding for 12 projects from California to Connecticut to support nearly 771 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Moreover, the combined projects will reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by more than 7.2 million metric tons each year at a cost of less than $2.25 per ton.

“Updating America’s infrastructure to expand consumer access to low-carbon biodiesel and Bioheat® fuel is a low-cost, high-return investment in meeting the nation’s goals for near-term carbon reductions,” said Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the grants will help facilitate the continued expansion of lower-carbon, lower-cost fuel blends like E15 and E85. “RFA is proud to have assisted many of these retailers and marketers in identifying their equipment needs and preparing their grant applications. We look forward to continuing to work with these innovative retailers as their projects enter the next phase. RFA thanks USDA and Secretary Vilsack for continuing to prioritize this important program,” said Cooper.

Biodiesel, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NBB, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, USDA

Minnesota Ethanol Champion Addresses ACE

Cindy Zimmerman

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) may be from a more suburban area of Minnesota, but she clearly recognizes the value of agriculture and biofuels to her state.

“I care about ethanol because I care about good ag and energy policy in this country,” said Craig during remarks today before the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference. “Ethanol drives rural investment, it provides markets for our family farmers and it helps us address climate change.”

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, Craig immediately jumped into action after a federal appeals court struck down an EPA rule that lifted restrictions on the year-round sales of E15 and introduced the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act. “I’m headed back to Washington on Monday and I’m gonna fight like hell to get year-round sales of E15 into the reconciliation bill, I’m going to fight for corn ethanol infrastructure in that infrastructure bill, and I’m gonna keep hounding the administration for those RVO targets.”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) – interview and address
ACE 2021 interview with Rep. Angie Craig 3:35
ACE 2021 Rep. Angie Craig remarks 19:29

2021 Annual ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

ACE Re-Elects Board Members During Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) announced the re-election of several board members to the organization’s board of directors during its annual business meeting prior to ACE’s 34th annual conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Seven incumbents were re-elected to the board of directors for three-year terms:

Cardinal Ethanol – Represented by Bill Dartt
Christianson PLLP – Represented by John Christianson
Dakota Ethanol – Represented by Ron Alverson
Granite Falls Energy – Represented by Kenton Johnson
Nebraska Public Power District – Represented by Brian Vasa
North Dakota Corn Growers Association – Represented by Anthony Mock
Renewable Products Marketing Group – Represented by Doug Punke
The annual conference officially gets underway this morning.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Reaches Thousands on Sturgis Stage

Cindy Zimmerman

Free Fuel Happy Hours sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association during the Sturgis Rally at the Buffalo Chip Campground reach hundreds of bikers each year, but it’s on stage before the big name concerts that ethanol gets the most exposure.

“This year we had Kid Rock on Sunday evening,” said RFA member Craig Ammann, North America at Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits. “To be able to go out and promote ethanol in front of a crowd of 50,000 people, that’s a real thrill.”

RFA past chair Mick Henderson, Commonwealth Agri-Energy, agrees that the stage is where they get the most exposure. “When Robert White says we’re the Free Fuel guys, he gets cheers from the crowd,” said Henderson. “When he says we’re the free fuel ethanol guys, he gets that connection there.”

RFA throws coozies and beach balls out into the crowd, some with gift cards for fuel.

Interview with RFA past chair Mick Henderson, Commonwealth Agri-Energy 5:01

Interview with Craig Ammann, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits 4:25

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Sturgis

Groups File Petition for Rehearing of DC Circuit RVP Decision

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association have filed a petition for rehearing with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the July 2 decision in which the court vacated a 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of 15% ethanol fuel blends (E15). The petition asks the full court to rehear the case because of significant legal errors in the three-judge panel’s decision.

“If allowed to stand, this court’s decision to vacate EPA’s rulemaking to allow E15 to be sold year-round will have devastating consequences for the market expansion of homegrown biofuels. Petitioning for a rehearing is a critical next step in giving biofuel producers and farmers a fair shot in the marketplace and providing American drivers with better access to cleaner fuel choices. We are hopeful that the full court takes up the petition and reverses the panel’s decision.”

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency that lifted outdated restrictions on the sale of E15. The case, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA, was a challenge by oil refiners to the rulemaking that allowed the year-round sale of E15.

RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White says the decision could bring expansion of E15 to a halt. “It will stall more retailers that were, in some cases, at the ready or already rolling out more E15 stations,” said White. “It also effects terminals because they have to do things differently.”

White adds that there are other ways of extending the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to E15 and RFA continues to look at options.

RFA's Robert White on E15 decision (1:19)

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Members See Value in Sturgis Promotion

Cindy Zimmerman

Walt Wendland, Ringneck Energy; Chuck Woodside, KAAPA Ethanol

The 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally marked the 13th time the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) attended to tell the truth about ethanol to tens of thousands of bikers from around the country.

It was the first time that Ringneck Energy CEO Walt Wendland had the opportunity to see the promotion in action and talk to some motorcyclists as they filled up with 93 Octane E10 at the RFA Free Fuel Happy Hours. “I’m amazed at how the motorcycle people see the value of that octane,” said Wendland. “They’re all about octane and all about performance and when they fill up there they know they are getting the best deal they’ve ever gotten.”

Former RFA chair Chuck Woodside, KAAPA Ethanol Holdings, has attended the Sturgis promotion several years and he thinks it has made a difference. “We have seen return customers year over year and they look forward to it, they understand what the fuel has done for their motorcycles,” said Woodside.

Listen to an interview with both Woodside and Wendland here:
Interview with Chuck Woodside and Walt Wendland 4:01

2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, Sturgis

ACE Annual Conference Begins Wednesday

Cindy Zimmerman

The 34th annual American Coalition for Ethanol conference is getting ready to Accelerate in Minneapolis starting on Wednesday evening with a welcome party to celebrate getting back together in person after last year’s virtual conference.

Business gets underway on Thursday morning with a general session that includes an update from ACE leadership where CEO Brian Jennings will be joined by Ron Lamberty, ACE Senior Vice President, and Dave Sovereign, ACE Board President, representing Golden Grain Energy in Mason City, Iowa. That will be followed by a special address from Representative Angie Craig (D-MN).

Get a preview of the activities this week from ACE Senior Director of Operations and Programming Shannon Gustafson.

ACE 2021 preview interview with Shannon Gustafson 4:34

Registration on-line will be open through Wednesday, August 18, and then on-site at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. For more information about the event, visit ethanol.org/events/conference.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Report RFA 40th Anniversary – Bob Dinneen

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association was born in 1981 and RFA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by spotlighting some of the pioneers in the ethanol industry who were there at the beginning, like Bob Dinneen.

One of the leading authorities on the history of the U.S. ethanol industry didn’t get his start working for the energy or agriculture sectors. Bob Dinneen grew up in the suburbs of Boston before finding his way to our nation’s capital. It was actually softball that brought Dinneen to the ethanol industry and to RFA in 1987 and he has been with RFA ever since, serving as president and CEO from 2001 to 2018 and currently the organization’s senior strategic advisor.

Listen to Dinneen’s reflections and memories in this edition of The Ethanol Report.

Ethanol Report 8-16-21 (14:49)

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

ACE Calls on President to Set Maximum RFS Volumes

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is urging President Joe Biden to set the maximum statutory volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard in the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation rulemaking and pursue all options to ensure uninterrupted market access for E15.

In a letter to President Biden, ACE CEO Brian Jennings said, “We recognize your goal is to electrify the vehicle fleet in the future, but the inconvenient truth is there are hundreds of millions more people driving vehicles capable of using low-carbon substitutes to petroleum such as E15 and E85 today than any other alternative. Since this reality will exist well into the future, increasing the use of ethanol today will immediately reduce GHGs while the production of electric vehicles (EVs) ramps up.”

Jennings cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released last week, which makes the case for policies that drive CO2 removal, such as through the sequestration of carbon with climate-smart farming practices and biofuel production, to lower the Earth’s temperature.

ACE will kick off its 34th Annual Conference Wednesday in Minneapolis where much of the discussion will focus on ethanol’s role in a low carbon future.

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