Ethanol Stakeholders Submit RFS Comments

Cindy Zimmerman

Friday was the final day to submit comments to the EPA on proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) and ethanol stakeholders made sure they had their say.

Despite the EPA specifically noting that comments on small refinery exemptions would be “deemed beyond the scope of this rulemaking,” every group commenting had something to say about the need for the agency to make up for the billions of gallons lost by the waivers.

Renewable Fuels Association
“RFA’s strongly held position is that EPA’s final rule must account for projected small refinery exemptions in calculating the 2019 RVO percentages. The agency has already shown it knows how to do so and has explained why accounting for projected exemptions best meets the statutory intent of the RFS.”

Growth Energy
“The proposed RVO has failed to account for the 2.25 billion gallons lost due to small refinery exemptions. By failing to account for these exemptions, EPA has made the numbers hollow turning the clock back on the RFS by 5 years.”

American Coalition for Ethanol
“While the proposed rule purports to maintain the 15-billion-gallon conventional blending target for the 2019 RVO, nearly 50 Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) will reduce ethanol blending far below 15 billion gallons…As a result, D6 RIN prices have cratered…This, consequently, has reduced the incentive to blend ethanol with gasoline.”

National Corn Growers Association
“While EPA may not want feedback on how the agency is failing to maintain the integrity of the RFS and administer the volume standards in accordance with the law, corn farmers will provide that feedback nonetheless and make our voices heard.”

ACE, Audio, biofuels, corn, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NCGA, RFA, RFS

Ethanol Report with Bikers and Free E10

Chuck Zimmerman

This program comes to you from Sturgis, SD and the annual Motorcycle Rally but specifically from the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White talks about the Legends Ride which is sponsored by RFA and featured the auctioning of a custom motorcycle built for the Buffalo Chip by Paul Teutul, Jr. Then you’ll get to hear from bikers at The Chip filling up during Free Fuel Happy Hours. Bikers just had to pull up to the permanent pump and fill up with a premium E10 blend of gas. E10 is warrantied by all motorcycle manufacturers and this promotion is part of an educational effort for motorcycle owners who get hit with lots of misinformation. You’ll be able to hear that in some of their comments but overall none of them have any concerns about running their motorcycle on E10.

Ethanol Report with bikers and free E10 Gas

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS
Subscribe via iTunes

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol Report, RFA, Sturgis

New ACE Board Members

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) announced the election of two new representatives to the organization’s board of directors during its annual meeting prior to ACE’s 31st annual conference in Minneapolis.

Pam Miller, representing Siouxland Ethanol, and Bill Dartt, representing Cardinal Ethanol, are the new board members.

“The ACE board and staff have impressed me for a long time with their dedication to and expertise in the ethanol industry,” Miller said. “ACE has long been the champion of grassroots efforts that make a difference and I’m anxious to help with these efforts.”

“I’ve followed ACE for five years and attended four annual meetings, so I’m anxious to participate in ACE’s efforts to strengthen the ethanol and agriculture industries by partnering with local stations throughout the country,” Dartt said.

ACE18 Interview with new board members Pam Miller and Bill Dartt

2018 ACE Conference Photo Album

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

Merle Anderson Award Goes to Owen Jones

Cindy Zimmerman

Owen Jones (L) receives award from ACE past president Lars Herseth

The first Merle Anderson award presented by the American Coalition for Ethanol after the passing of its founder was one of Merle’s good friends, Owen Jones.

“Merle Anderson was my mentor,” said Jones as he accepted the award from past ACE president Lars Herseth. “I am truly humbled.”

Jones is a farmer first, and became interested in ethanol as an alternative fuel during the oil embargo years. “I was concerned about fuel supply and wondered what we could be doing about it.”

Listen to my interview with Owen here: ACE18 Interview with Owen Jones, Merle Anderson award

You can watch the presentation here:


2018 ACE Conference Photo Album

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

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