ACE President Sees Strong Ethanol Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

American Coalition for Ethanol president Duane Kristensen with Chief Ethanol in Nebraska says as domestic ethanol demand has been impacted by EPA waivers this year, exports continue to be a bright spot despite current trade wars.

“People around the world can use it for octane or for environmental concerns,” said Kristensen.

As a grassroots organization with a diverse membership, Kristensen says ACE is continuing to fight for increases in the domestic market and push for E15 year round.

ACE18 Interview with president Duane Kristensen

2018 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol

Ethanol Industry Loses Pioneer Merle Anderson

Cindy Zimmerman

Merle and Lee Anderson at 2012 ACE Conference

Back in 1987, a man by the name of Merle Anderson saw the need for a grassroots organization to support a new use for corn that would help farmers as well as the entire country. His vision became the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and members of the organization are celebrating Merle’s long and wonderful life this week at the 31st annual meeting after his passing just days ago.

Some of us were hoping to see him one last time this year, since it was back in his home state of Minnesota, but he passed away Monday August 13 at his home in Climax, Minnesota with his sweet wife Lee by his side. He was 96 years old.

Among the many honors he received in his lifetime from numerous organizations, Merle had the distinction of having the highest award given by the American Coalition for Ethanol named after him. The Merle Anderson Award was first given in 1997 and has been bestowed on presidents, members of Congress, and many others who have helped promote ethanol. This year it was presented to one of Merle’s long time friends in the industry, Owen Jones.

We interviewed Merle several times over the years, but my favorite was in 2012, when I interviewed both him and Lee. Listen to that here: Interview with ACE Founder Merle Anderson

Services for Merle will be at Climax Lutheran Church in Climax, MN.
Visitation: from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a 6:30 pm prayer service on Sunday, August 19
Funeral Service: 10:30 am on Monday, August 20

Read more from the Grand Forks Herald.

2018 ACE Conference Photo Album

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

Diesel Brothers Show Featuring MSR&PC Truck

Chuck Zimmerman

If you missed the last 4th season episode of Diesel Brothers then don’t miss the next episode. The Diesel Brothers Biodiesel Truck will star again. It was on display at this year’s Commodity Classic.

Kris Folland, Pat Sullivan and Craig Bangasser are ready for their close-ups. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) directors (Bangasser’s term ended in 2017) will appear on the second of a pair of episodes of Discovery’s “Diesel Brothers” show.

Last year, the Council partnered with the DieselSellerz to build a customized truck that runs on biodiesel. The trio of directors met the four “DieselSellerz” last summer at the group’s headquarters in Utah. The directors participated in filming in August 2017 during the foursome’s visit to southern Minnesota, and completed their portion of filming last winter at Commodity Classic in California.

“It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very excited to relive the experience of meeting the DieselSellerz,” Bangasser says. “I had a blast meeting the guys, and the truck is an incredible body of work.”

The truck the DieselSellerz built for MSR&PC was officially unveiled to the public in spring 2018, and has toured the state this summer promoting biodiesel. In May 2018, Minnesota moved to a B20 (20 percent biodiesel) blend in the summer months.

The second episode chronicling the build of “Indomitus” will air 9 p.m. CDT on Monday, Aug. 20.

Biodiesel, Trucks

2018 ACE Conference Kicks Off

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) kicked off its 31st annual conference at the Renaissance Depot Hotel in Minneapolis discussing some of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

The theme of the 2018 conference is “Grit Wins” and ACE CEO Brian Jennings commended attendees for staying strong in the face of attacks oil refiners have launched on ethanol this year. “Wrangling over market share with the most profitable companies in the world has always required our industry to be resourceful — to punch above our weight,” Jennings said. “But we have leverage before the midterm election. Candidates need your vote. Rural America needs to speak out about the fact that farmers are losing money while refiners have the best of both worlds — fat profit margins and minimal RFS compliance costs.”

“Enlisting the help of our allies in the Senate, the many Governors who support us, and through candidates who need our vote this fall, we must keep grassroots pressure on the White House and EPA to make good on President Trump’s promises to maintain 15 billion gallons in the RFS, which means reallocating the small refinery exemptions, and to issue a clean RVP rulemaking for E15 and higher blends,” Jennings added.

Listen to Jennings’ comments here: ACE18 Opening remarks from CEO Brian Jennings

You can also watch this morning’s opening general session in this video:


2018 ACE Conference Photo Album

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

Grassley Has “Good Discussion” with EPA’s Wheeler

Cindy Zimmerman

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) had a chance to sit down with EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler while he was in Iowa this week.

“There seems to be a real message from the White House to Wheeler to do something for E15 twelve months a year,” said Grassley. “But there has to be something also done for refineries so I think Wheeler is trying to find some balance.”

Grassley says Wheeler is “working very hard to find a solution but hasn’t come up with one yet” and the senator hopes he will do it anyway before next summer. Wheeler also assured Grassley that the idea of applying RINS to exports is off the table at this point.

Listen to Sen. Grassley’s comments to reporters this week – Sen. Grassley press call 8-15-18

Audio, E15, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Iowa RFA Giving Away Biodiesel at Farm Progress Show

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is partnering with the Iowa Soybean Association to offer farmers attending the 2018 Farm Progress Show eight chances to win $500 worth of biodiesel-blended fuel.

“Biodiesel adds so much value to Iowa’s farmers,” said Cassidy Walter, IRFA biodiesel lead. “Farm Progress Show is the perfect venue to showcase these benefits and this contest is an excellent opportunity for farmers who haven’t used biodiesel before to try it risk free.”

Farmers interested in the contest should stop by the Iowa Soybean Association tent (#740) and enter to win. The 2018 Farm Progress Show takes place in Boone, Iowa August 28 – 30. Eight winners from around the state will be selected and contacted after the conclusion of the three-day event.

Biodiesel, Farm Progress Show, Iowa RFA

Record Corn and Soybean Forecasts

Cindy Zimmerman

A record high soybean crop and overall corn yield are expected this year, according to the latest Crop Production report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Up 4 percent from 2017, soybean production is forecast at a record 4.59 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production slightly from last year, forecast at 14.6 billion bushels. Average corn yield is forecast to be the highest on record at 178.4 bushels per acre, up 1.8 bushels from last year.

Wheat production is forecast at 1.88 billion bushels, up 8 percent from 2017. Growers are expected to produce 1.19 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, down 6 percent from last year.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Soybeans, USDA

EPA’s Wheeler Talks RFS with Farmers in Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a taste of the famous Iowa State Fair Monday as the guest of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and while he had some fun, Wheeler was there to meet with farmers about critical issues.

“I enjoyed the round table we just had with different ag groups in the state…hearing what their concerns and problems are,” Wheeler told reporters as he left the meeting with Gov. Reynolds.

One of the main topics of discussion was the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but Wheeler had little to say about how EPA is addressing the biggest concerns of corn farmers and ethanol producers.

“We’re looking at the small refinery exemptions…trying to provide more certainty around that….and looking at the RVP, E15 year round, what we can do and how we can go about doing something,” said Wheeler.

The audio is hard to hear because of background noise, but you can also see the video from the Des Moines Register.

Audio file – EPA Acting Admin Wheeler in Iowa

Audio, E15, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFS

Ads for E15 Greet EPA Boss in Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

Radio and print advertising urging EPA to “make good on the President’s promise and approve E15 fuel use year-round” are greeting Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler this week during his visit to Iowa.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is running an ad campaign this week on two top Des Moines radio stations, WHO-AM and KIOA-FM. One of the ads notes that while President Trump just said they were “very close” to approving year-round E15, “The EPA is dragging its feet. Tell Administrator Wheeler: It’s time to deliver on E15.”

Audio file: RFA Iowa radio spot

“If Administrator Wheeler is truly interested in reaching out to farmers harmed by Scott Pruitt’s small refiner waiver fire sale, he’s got to do more than come to the Midwest and talk. He’s got to take action,” said RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is featuring Iowa retailer Charlie Good to exemplify the need for year-round approval of E15 with a paid print advertisement in the Des Moines Register.

“President Trump has promised to allow retailers like Charlie Good to sell E15 year-round,” said ACE CEO Brian Jennings. “EPA needs to make good on his promises.”

ACE will be discussing this topic at its annual conference later this week in Minneapolis.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Biodiesel at the Ag Media Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was in Scottsdale, Arizona last week to help the Ag Media Summit celebrate 20 years.

NBB is one of a number of companies and organizations that provide support for the Ag Media Summit making it more affordable for journalists to attend. They also participate in the Info Expo to meet with editors and share their latest news.

Director of Communications Kaleb Little was on hand to talk about biodiesel in general, as well as the latest developments in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and how that impacts the industry.

In this interview, Little busts some biodiesel myths, and says while the latest proposal from EPA for biodiesel volumes under the RFS is an improvement, they would like to see the 2020 Biomass-based Diesel volume set at 2.8 billion gallons.

Interview with Kaleb Little, National Biodiesel Board

2018 Ag Media Summit photo album

Content creation at Ag Media Summit is sponsored by
Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Biodiesel, NBB, RFS