Partnership Testing 100 Percent Biodiesel in Fleet Trucks

Cindy Zimmerman

A new partnership is conducting a year-long test project to demonstrate viability of 100 percent biodiesel (B100) in high-mileage fleet applications.

Under this partnership, five trucks owned by ADM will be outfitted with Optimus Technologies’ Vector fuel system, an innovative technology that enables diesel engines to run almost entirely on sustainable biodiesel. The trucks will be used in daily fleet operations for a yearlong period, with each vehicle anticipated to travel 160,000-180,000 miles and reduce up to 500,000 pounds of CO2. Advanced monitoring protocols will compare the performance and results of the new technology with five other trucks comprising a control group operating on conventional diesel. All biodiesel used in the project will come from ADM’s refinery in Mexico, Missouri.

The American Lung Association, National Biodiesel Board, Illinois Soybean Association, and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council are all partners in the project with ADM and Optimus.

“Biodiesel blends have been utilized successfully in millions of miles of real-world applications across the diesel sector over the last two decades, but this project is especially exciting as more fleets look to take it to the next level,” said Kaleb Little, director of communications for the National Biodiesel Board.

Learn more about the project and what it could mean for the biodiesel industry in this interview.
Interview with Kaleb Little, NBB 21:33

Audio, Biodiesel, NBB

Biofuels Part of USDA Innovation Agenda

Cindy Zimmerman

At the start of USDA’s 2020 Agriculture Outlook Forum on Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a new initiative to stimulate innovation so American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40 percent while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.

To do so, USDA has set benchmarks to help measure progress toward meeting the ambitious goal in certain areas, including renewable energy.
Specifically, the agenda calls for USDA to support renewable fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass; and increase biofuel feedstock production and biofuel production efficiency and competitiveness to achieve market-driven blend rates of E15 in 2030 and E30 in 2050, as well as achieve market-driven demand for biomass and biodiesel.

Listen to the secretary’s announcement here:
USDA Outlook 2020 Secretary Perdue 21:33

“We welcome Secretary Purdue’s announcement today of a bold new initiative that seeks to stimulate innovation in the agricultural sector and expand the use of ethanol and other renewable fuels,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “With ethanol, we don’t have to wait and hope for major technological or economic breakthroughs; the fuel is available now at a low cost to drive decarbonization of our liquid fuels. American farmers and ethanol producers have a long history of rising to meet ambitious goals and taking on daunting challenges, and we are excited and eager to work with the Administration to make this new vision a reality.”

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, USDA

Beyond the Road Benefits of Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Off the road, on the racetrack, or in the water, the benefits of ethanol go beyond the highway.

Attendees at the 25th National Ethanol Conference got to hear about ethanol’s success in recreational uses like off-road vehicles and boats, providing power, reduced emissions and lower fuel costs. They also got to see Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) flex-fuel Jeep Wrangler up close and personal, as well as meet the guy who made it a reality.

RFA VP of Industry Relations Robert White moderated a panel with Kenny Hauk, Hauk Designs; Brian Sowers, Crappie Masters; and Derek Tidd of Tidd Racing.

Listen to their conversation:
RFANEC Ethanol Off Road panel 58:12

Interview with Kenny Hauk of Hauk Designs, High power E85 Jeep Wrangler builder
RFANEC Interview with Kenny Hauk, Hauk Designs 12:18

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Senators Urge Timely Processing of Biodiesel Tax Credits

Cindy Zimmerman

Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are urging Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig to promptly process 2018-2019 claims for the biodiesel tax credit, which Congress retroactively reinstated at the end of 2019.

“Timely payment of claims for 2018 and 2019 is necessary for the recovery of the entire biodiesel industry, including producers, blenders, and farmers,” the Senators wrote in a letter dated February 13, 2020.

On January 15, 2020, the IRS issued guidance for biodiesel producers and blenders to claim payments for the retroactively reinstated credit. The agency will accept claims for 2018 and 2019 credit until August 11, 2020.

National Biodiesel Board VP of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik thanked the senators for their constant and strong support of the biodiesel industry. The Senators stood with our industry to urge their colleagues to renew the credit, issued last-minute appeals to ensure its passage, and have now followed through to see that the credit provides a much-needed economic lifeline to biodiesel producers and farmers.”

Biodiesel, NBB

Low Carbon Future for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

One of the biggest opportunities for the ethanol industry is regional low carbon fuel standards. A panel moderated by Neil Koehler of Pacific Ethanol, Inc., discussed the path forward for decarbonizing liquid transportation fuels at the 2020 National Ethanol Conference in Houston, Tex.

Participants in the panel included: Christopher Hessler, AJW, Inc.; Jeremy Martin, Union of Concerned Scientists; David Clay, South Dakota State University; and Brendan Jordan, Great Plains Institute.

2020 RFA National Ethanol Conference Low Carbon Fuel Standards Panel
2020 RFA NEC Low Carbon Fuel Standards Panel 57:57

2020 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

NCGA President Filled With Ethanol Pride

Cindy Zimmerman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president and Iowa farmer Kevin Ross had the chance last week to attend the National Ethanol Conference and celebrate recent wins with the industry, like the recent Tenth Circuit court decision.

“Just a fabulous result for us and everybody in the industry,” said Ross during an interview last week at the National Ethanol Conference. “And moving forward, they’re going to have to adjust the way they’re administering the SRE program.”

NCGA was one of the parties in the lawsuit over Environmental Protection Agency’s small refinery exemption (SRE) program under the Renewable Fuel Standard along with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and National Farmers Union.

Ross has been busy the past few months with multiple trips to the White House to celebrate trade deals, most recently a White House ceremony last month commemorating the signing of the phase one deal between the United States and China. “One of the biggest pieces for corn is really the biotech portion of the China deal,” said Ross. Another big piece of the deal would be increased access to the Chinese market for U.S. ethanol.

Ross discusses these topics and gives a preview of Commodity Classic in this interview, and below watch him get a tour of the RFA custom designed Flex Fuel Jeep Wrangler on display at NEC:
RFANEC Interview with NCGA president Kevin Ross, Iowa 5:43

2020 National Ethanol Conference photo album

Kenny Hauk, Hauk Designs, talks about custom built Jeep that runs on E85:


Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, National Ethanol Conference, NCGA, RFA, Video

Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics

Carrie Muehling

Bob McNally of Rapidan Energy Group provided an update on global energy markets and geopolitics at the 2020 National Ethanol Conference. McNally served as the top international and domestic energy advisor for President George W. Bush, holding the posts of Special Assistant to the President on the National Economic Council and Senior Director for International Energy on the National Security Council.

McNally looked at the history of oil and the impact of price volatility in that industry on ethanol and biofuels.

Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics – Bob McNally, Rapidan Energy Group
RFANEC Remarks from Bob McNally, Rapidan Energy Group 34:26

2020 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference

Energy Ag News 2/18

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.31 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to a new study by ABF Economics. In 2019, the industry produced 1.31 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.6 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) and 327 million pounds of corn oil. This generated $6.7 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses and supported 18,974 jobs last year.
  • The Nebraska Ethanol Board invites fuel retailers to E15 Workshop Feb. 20 at Hyatt Place in downtown Lincoln, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The workshop is free thanks to the event sponsors.
  • During the National Ethanol Conference, NextChem and Saola Energy announced a new collaboration to license technology for the production of Renewable Diesel from vegetable oils and residual fats to the international market.
  • According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending Feb. 7, ethanol production dropped 4.4%, or 48,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 1.033 million b/d—equivalent to 43.39 million gallons daily. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.4% to 1.048 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.07 billion gallons.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association has released its 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook and handy Pocket Guide. Both contain key statistics, trends, insight, and analysis on the latest developments in the U.S. renewable fuels industry, as well as commentary on what to expect in 2020.
  • The Nebraska Ethanol Board will hold a board meeting in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:00 am. Agenda is posted on NEB website.
    • Uncategorized

    25th #RFANEC Focuses Forward on Future

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) just concluded an annual meeting that will be remembered for many reasons, including an appearance by the 43rd President of the United States, and the celebration of recent significant victories for the ethanol industry as it focuses forward on the future.

    RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says there is a lot of optimism and inspiration coming out of the 25th National Ethanol Conference. “I just continue to be very bullish about the intrinsic value proposition that comes with our product,” said Cooper in a wrap-up interview.

    He is also very optimistic that the 10th Circuit Court decision regarding EPA’s Small Refinery Exemption program will mean major changes in favor of the ethanol industry, as EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently commented. “It was encouraging to hear that Administrator Wheeler is clearly taking the decision very seriously…It’s been our view that this decision should broadly apply to every small refinery and every circuit court jurisdiction.”

    Listen to this NEC wrap up interview with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper
    RFANEC Geoff Cooper wrap up interview 6:18

    Photos, audio and video from the 2020 National Ethanol Conference, including presentations, can be found here:
    2020 National Ethanol Conference Virtual Newsroom

    Audio, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, RFS

    ACE Leadership Attending Ethanol Plant Annual Meetings

    Cindy Zimmerman

    It’s annual meeting time for ethanol plants around the Midwest and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings is attending many of them in the coming weeks to commend the producers for enduring a tough year, and provide an update on the opportunities and challenges ahead for growing the demand for ethanol.

    Jennings visited Golden Grain Energy in Mason City, Iowa last week and will be attending meetings at Adkins Energy, Absolute Energy, and the East Kansas Agri-Energy to come as well.

    “I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet with members and discuss the pressing issues facing the industry,” Jennings said. “Our members work hard to ensure they provide a meaningful return to local shareholders, and I’m honored to highlight this effort by commending our members on the operational and financial progress they’ve been able to maintain despite several headwinds they’ve been confronted with.”

    ACE’s newly appointed Director of Member and Industry Relations, Nick Fosheim, is joining Jennings at some of these meetings to connect with members and inform them about his approach to fostering ACE’s partnerships with current and potential members, and his strategies to promote ACE’s efforts throughout the industry.

    And just around the corner, the ACE Washington, D.C. fly-in is coming up April 2-3. There is no fee to attend the fly-in, which includes industry updates and visits to Congressional offices. Information and registration can be found on-line.

    ACE, Ethanol