RFA Flex Fuel Hybrid EV Goes on Vacation

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association’s flex fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (FFPHEV) worked hard in 2023, so just ahead of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in California last month, RFA’s Robert White decided to take it along on a family vacation as he drove from Kansas City to San Diego.

White, who serves as RFA Senior Vice President for Industry Relations and Market Development, shared his family vacation travel log on the RFA Blog, starting off with “a full charge and a full tank of E85 fresh off of a Super Bowl victory by our Kansas City Chiefs.”

White details what happened on their first night stop and charge at a Holiday Inn Express:
I awoke to a surprise on my phone. What started off as free charging somehow changed in the middle of the night. I was notified in the middle of the night that once charging was complete the charge would be five dollars an hour if I didn’t move the vehicle! I had the only electric vehicle at this hotel and was not expecting this at all. It was still too early to sneak out to unplug the car without waking up my family. I decided that a well-rested family is probably worth more than a few five-dollar bills. But once the family finally stirred, I was on the hook for $32 in “non-movement” charges. The car was ready to go on 29 miles of charge. Wow! That means for electricity it would cost $1.10/mile. There were plenty of options for E85 in the area, and we filled for just over $2/gallon. That translates to just $.05/mile. Using E85 would save us over $1/mile.

Read White’s entire blog post here

White shared some of his experiences and the data he has developed from using the FFPHEV over the past year during the National Ethanol Conference panel on “Ethanol and Electricity: The Best of Both Worlds.”

White says when people in the industry ask him how to convince people not to buy EVs he has a simple answer. “Let them drive one. That’s how you convince the world that it’s a problem.”

Joining him on the panel were Brian West, Chief Automotive Engineer, West Energy and Environment and Tom Leone, Principal Engineer, Southwest Research Institute.

Listen to them here:
NEC24 Ethanol and Electricity panel 37:53

2024 National Ethanol Conference Preview Activities Photo Album

Audio, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ag and Food Summit Features SAF Discussion

Cindy Zimmerman

Tim Obitts, Alder Renewables; Alan Weber, MARC-IV; Alex Menotti, LanzaJet

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was the topic of two panels at Monday’s “2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit: Revitalizing Rural Revenues” in Washington D.C. and there was a lot of discussion surrounding the GREET model, changes in the RFS, carbon sequestration, corn ethanol, and new feedstocks.

Alder Renewables CEO Tim Obitts says agriculture holds the key to the future for SAF. “You are above ground oil wells,” said Obitts. His company’s technology can utilize a range of sustainable woody residues, agricultural byproducts, and next-generation energy crops like miscanthus to produce SAF.

Alan Weber has been involved in the biodiesel industry for over 30 years and as founding partner of MARC-IV he is excited about innovative new oilseeds like pennycress, camelina, and brasica carinata. “Each of them very unique in how they fit in a grower’s rotation but also similar in that they help to improve soil health and the second in that those crops are being grown on acres otherwise not in production.”

LanzaJet VP of Government Affairs Alex Menotti says getting the GREET model updated to include climate smart agriculture practices is only half the battle right now for getting corn ethanol to qualify for SAF. “The other half is EPA updating their own rules to recognize the climate benefits of corn ethanol and do things like enable CCS (carbon capture and storage) which is a key enabler for alcohol-to-jet,” said Menotti, who also noted that the top legislative priority for the industry right now is getting the IRA tax credits extended.

Listen to some of their discussion here:
Agri-Pulse Summit SAF Panel One 31:11

Kevin Welsh, Airlines for America; Gene Gebolys, World Energy; Amelia DeLuca, Delta Air Lines; and Dr. Patrick Gruber, Gevo

The second panel focused on the role of the airlines. “Sustainable aviation fuel is the only lever we have at this point to decarbonize,” said Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer, Delta Air Lines.

World Energy has been in advanced biofuels for over 25 years and is now on the forefront of SAF. “Ultimately, biofuels want to fly and the reason is, that’s where you can get the best value,” said CEO Gene Gebolys. “As we work to establish this market, it won’t be a SAF market, it will be a decarbonization market.”

The GREET model remains key to making it work. “If we’re getting paid for carbon abatement and it’s a virtual attribute, how the heck do you measure it? That’s where the GREET model comes in,” said Gevo CEO Dr. Patrick Gruber. “We like real data, real science, measured, reported, verified. That’s what we have to get to.”

The Ag and Food Policy Summit was a function of Agri-Pulse Communications.

Listen to the panel:
Agri-Pulse Summit SAF Panel Two 29:26

2024 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit Photo Album

advanced biofuels, Audio, aviation biofuels, biojet fuel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, SAF

Biodiesel Day Celebrates Innovation

Cindy Zimmerman

The clean fuels industry is celebrating National Biodiesel Day today on March 18, the birthday of diesel engine inventor Rudolf Diesel. The engine was originally designed to operate on peanut oil, as Diesel was a visionary who recognized the potential of vegetable oils as a renewable fuel source.

Clean Fuels Alliance America COO Doug Whitehead says Diesel’s pioneering spirit continues to inspire advancements in the modern-day clean fuels industry. “Demand is better than ever, as organizations continue to seek the lowest cost option to decarbonize using domestically produced feedstocks,” he said.

Emerging markets are increasing demand for clean fuels driving innovation in feedstock development. Winter cover crops and other annual oilseeds, such as pennycress and Brassica carinata, are being explored as alternative feedstocks to help meet rising demand. As new markets such as rail, marine and home heating oil continue toward decarbonization, low carbon fuels including biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions now, rather than waiting for future technology.

Happy Biodiesel Day!

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

ACE Wraps Up 2024 DC Fly-in

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) wrapped up its annual DC Fly-in last week, with dozens of members bringing their message to Capitol Hill when it comes to important topics for the industry.

CEO Brian Jennings was especially pleased members were able to hear from Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), sponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023. “Probably the most important piece of legislation for our industry pending in Congress right now,” said Jennings. “The fact that we could meet with the primary author of the bill, she could help explain to us the roadblocks she sees in the path of her legislation, and then we could have our members go to Capitol Hill…that’s what this event is all about.”

Even though it is a presidential election year and nothing much may even get done, Jennings says it’s still important to show up. “There was also some feedback that maybe in the lame duck we could move something like an E15 bill,” he said. “If we fail to do the work between now and November we won’t have an opportunity to move anything in the lame duck.”

Wrap up with Brian Jennings, ACE 4:39

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Volumes of E15 and E85 Set New Records in Minnesota

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest data from the Minnesota Commerce Department shows sales of both E15 and E85 hit new records in 2023. The volume of E15 reported hit 127.6 million gallons, up 21 percent from 2022, while E85 sales were reported at 16.6 million gallons, up 8 percent from 2022 and the highest on record.

Al-Corn Clean Fuels CEO Thomas Harwood

When that news was released last week, the CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minnesota was in Washington, D.C. urging lawmakers to support year round E15 sales. “Really proud of the work we’re doing in the state of Minnesota to push E15 sales,” said Thomas Harwood. “That’s why it’s so critical that we get movement on year round E15. We’ve shown in Minnesota that we can do it and that it’ll benefit consumers.”

Thomas Harwood, Al-Corn Clean Fuels 3:26

“When it comes to expanding the use of ethanol, Minnesota continues to set an excellent example for the rest of the country to follow,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Minnesota families understand the economic and environmental benefits of using higher blends like E15 and flex fuels like E85; they know that choosing these lower-cost, lower-carbon fuels supports local farmers and creates good-paying jobs across the state.”

Minnesota is one of the eight Midwest states where the year-round sales of E15 will be allowed, starting in 2025, but will still require a waiver from EPA to allow sales this summer.

ACE, Audio, E15, E85, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Sen. Grassley Meets with Ethanol Stakeholders

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Grassley meets with Iowa ethanol constituents during ACE Fly-in

One of the few members of Congress still left in town on Thursday afternoon last week was Iowa’s senior Senator Chuck Grassley, who was more than happy to meet with members of the American Coalition for Ethanol and talk about his favorite topic.

“It’s good for agriculture, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for good paying jobs in rural America, it’s good for our national defense…and everything about it is good, good, good,” Grassley said, repeating the phrase he has used for more than four decades now when it comes to the corn-based fuel his state produces more than any other.

Sen. Grassley is a co-sponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023 and he is encouraged by the opportunities for ethanol in sustainable aviation fuel, but he is disappointed that the administration has delayed the release of updates for the GREET model to allow producers to take advantage of tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. “It’s a sad commentary because the delay as far as the formula is concerned is based on ignorance when you have this indirect land (use) factor in the formula,” said Grassley.

Sen. Grassley interview 3:07

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News

New USDA Under Secretary Excited to Help Rural America

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Under Secretary Basil Gooden speaks to ACE members

The recently confirmed USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development told ethanol supporters last week that he is excited about the programs they have to help the people in rural America.

“One thing that I really want to make clear that I bring to this position as Under Secretary each day is my passion for rural America,” said Dr. Basil Gooden in remarks to the American Coalition for Ethanol annual DC Fly-in. “I grew up in rural America. I grew up on the same farm that we own and operate today.”

USDA Rural Development administers the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program, better known as HBIIP, which received funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and in January awarded another $19 million to help increase the availability of higher blends. “That program is there to really, really boost the consumption of ethanol and it looks to actually boost it by about 1.2 billion gallons annually,” said Gooden.

Listen to Gooden’s remarks here:
Remarks from Basil Gooden, USDA 16:21

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Irish Group Invests $500 Million in Aztalan Bio

Cindy Zimmerman

Irish agribusiness group ClonBio announced this week a $500 million in Wisconsin biorefinery Aztalan Bio.

ClonBio contracted to purchase the plant in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin in 2022 and has invested $100 million in the acquisition and upgrading of the plant, which is now the largest grain processing facility in Wisconsin.

“We are thrilled with this monumental investment by our parent company, ClonBio Group Limited, marking a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionize the biorefinery industry,” said Aztalan Bio CEO Jeff Oestmann. “With a staggering $500 million investment injection, we’re not only investing in our plant but also in the local community, with the creation of 1,000 new jobs on the horizon.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Year Round E15 Bill Hits Roadblock

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) told members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) meeting in Washington D.C. this week that her bill to allow year-round sales of E15 has hit a roadblock, in the form of Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE).

“Senator Carper, as you know, is chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee,” said Fischer. “We’ve reached out to him to try and do a markup of the bill…but I don’t think we are getting anywhere on that.”

Fischer says Carper is concerned about a refinery in his state and she considers it a “rather odd position” for him to take, considering the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023 has the support of not only the agriculture and ethanol industries, but also retailers and even Big Oil. “Would you have ever thought Big Oil was going to step up and get on a Fischer E15 bill? Never.”

Listen to Fischer’s remarks here:
ACE DC 24 remarks from Sen. Deb Fischer 18:35

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

New EPA Ag Office Head Addresses ACE Fly-in

Cindy Zimmerman

The head of EPA’s new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Rod Snyder addressed the 13th American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in Thursday and had a lot to talk about of interest to ethanol stakeholders, not the least of which was updates to the GREET model for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

“It’s better to do something right than do to something fast,” said Snyder. “We’re looking at ways we can integrate additional greenhouse gas reducing activities as part of that modeling so I think for everyone in the room who is interested in getting this right and providing as many pathways as possible for qualification of the tax credit, this extra time is I think good news.”

Snyder said they still expect to have that guidance, as Secretary Vilsack said at Commodity Classic, within “weeks, not months” but ultimately the decision will be made by the Treasury Department.

Regarding retail sales of E15 this summer, “It is too early for me to speculate on what we can or should do for 2024 but I want to reassure you we are already talking with the Department of Energy about market conditions and how they compare to prior years and what sort of case can be made for what needs to be done for summer of 2024.”

Listen to Snyder’s comments here:
ACE DC 24 remarks from Rod Snyder, EPA 31:24

2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

ACE, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News