Second Iowa Plant Commits to Monarch Habitat

Cindy Zimmerman

Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) is preparing to establish a Monarch Fueling Station on its property near Council Bluffs, the second Iowa biofuels facility to commit to creating monarch butterfly habitat.

“We saw creating a Monarch Fueling Station as a great opportunity to protect an important aspect of our state’s environment,” said SIRE CEO Brian Cahill. “The SIRE board views this as a win-win. We can provide critical habitat for monarchs and other pollinators instead of paying someone to mow grass.”

Because of their migratory patterns, monarchs need small patches of habitat throughout the state and Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants are tend to have a lot of green space on their properties making them excellent partners for this effort.

The Monarch Fueling Station Project was established by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) in partnership with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium in December 2017. To learn more about the IRFA Monarch Fueling Station Project, contact IRFA at info@IowaRFA.org or 515-252-6249.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA

Northey Confirmed But No White House Deal on RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Bill Northey is at last free to take the job at USDA that he was nominated for almost six months ago after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lifted his hold on the nomination and allowed the confirmation Tuesday. The Senate confirmed Northey on a voice vote to become USDA’s undersecretary for farm production and conservation as Sens. Cruz, Pat Toomey (R-PA), Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa met with President Trump to discuss changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“We feel better today because we have Bill Northey,” said National Corn Growers Association president Kevin Skunes of North Dakota during a press conference at the kick off of the 2018 Commodity Classic in Anaheim Tuesday. “We believe there was no deal struck at the White House meeting.”

Audio file: NCGA Classic press conference

Suffice it to say, every agricultural group in the country is happy to see Bill Northey approved and hopes that means the rest of the jobs at USDA can be finally be filled. Ethanol organizations are also pleased that Sen. Cruz released his hold without any apparent deal that would undermine the RFS. “The general assessment so far is there is no deal, there’s going to be continued conversation,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen.

Audio file: Gaggle with RFA CEO Bob Dinneen

Growth Energy Senior Director of Government Affairs John Fuher was also pleased to hear there was no deal made during the White House meeting. “Our senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst really stood up for us and really presented an alternative case,” said Fuher.

Audio file: Interview with John Fuher, Growth Energy

President Trump has reportedly called for another meeting on Thursday with representatives from the ethanol and refinery industries.

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NCGA, politics, RFA, RFS

Industry Groups Anxious About White House RFS Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels and agricultural groups are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a meeting today between President Trump and four Republicans senators over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Trump will be meeting with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), who want to see changes in the RFS to protect refiners, and Iowa Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst, who want to protect the RFS. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue are also expected to attend the meeting.

In advance of the pow-wow today, a group of six leaders from farm and commodity organizations sent a letter to President Trump yesterday voicing support for the Renewable Fuels Standard. “The RFS, which sets targets for blending ethanol and biodiesel into our nation’s fuel supply, created new markets for our farmers, created new jobs in rural America, gave consumers more fuel choices, and improved our nation’s air quality,” reads the letter. It is signed by the leaders of the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers, and National Association of Wheat Growers. The commodity organizations are all meeting this week for the annual Commodity Classic in Anaheim, where the White House meeting will be a major topic of discussion today.

The Renewable Fuels Association will be holding a press conference today at the Classic trade show to address the meeting. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said he was pleased to see the agricultural groups’ support. “Never before have U.S. farm groups spoken with such a unified and clear voice that they don’t want EPA or Congress messing with the Renewable Fuel Standard,” he said. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor is optimistic the industry will prevail, “Refinery owners are circulating the same old wish list, but their proposals to undermine our agricultural economy will never fly under a president who is truly committed to policies that protect America’s hardworking farmers.” And Fuels America has been running a television ad on FOX News this week urging ethanol supporters to thank President Trump for his promise to protect the RFS.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Generating D3 RINS from Corn Kernel Fiber

Producing cellulosic ethanol from corn kernel fiber is where many ethanol plants are heading. But getting EPA approval on that type of project is not always easy. Jim Ramm of EcoEngineers explained why he believes this is the future of the industry at the 2018 National Ethanol Conference.

“It makes sense as an industry to maximize the return on the bushel of corn coming into the plant. It just makes sense. So to be able to take the lowest value feedstock coming in, which is the kernel fiber, and turn it into high value products on the back end, which is cellulosic ethanol, or additional cellulosic ethanol, makes sense. It also makes sense in terms of getting extra corn oil, and it makes sense in terms of creating high protein feeds,” said Ramm. “The other reason that it makes sense is just bringing down the carbon intensity of the ethanol over all.”

Ramm said the expansion to include this process is already happening in some areas.

Listen to Jim Ramm’s entire session from the National Ethanol Conference here: Generating D3 RINS From Corn Kernel Fiber, Jim Ramm, EcoEngineers

2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

AgWired Energy, Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference

RFA Chairman Pleased With Conference Turnout

Carrie Muehling

The 2018 National Ethanol Conference (NEC) saw a great turnout of people supporting the renewable fuels industry. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Chairman Mick Henderson said exports continue to be a priority, as well as creating parity for E15 in domestic markets. Henderson said being a part of a trade organization like RFA is important when it comes to affecting policy.

“We all need to be on the same wavelength,” said Henderson. “If we don’t go to Washington with one voice … we’re going to get run over.”

Henderson said the National Ethanol Conference is a bit like a family reunion. He appreciates the networking opportunities and the time to learn more about opportunities within the industry, both domestic and globally.

Listen to Cindy’s interview here: Interview with RFA Chairman Mick Henderson

2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

AgWired Energy, Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association

Biodiesel Wins Antidumping Decision

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition has won a final antidumping determination from the Commerce Department that biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia are sold into the United States below fair value, and the cash deposit requirements on imports from these countries will be updated.

“Today’s decision provides room for the domestic biodiesel industry to flourish and produce more volumes of this American-made fuel, which provides so many economic and environmental benefits,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. “The biodiesel industry already deals with policy uncertainties, such as lapsing tax credits and annual unpredictability with the Renewable Fuel Standard, so we appreciate seeing illegally dumped imports remedied. We look forward to continuing our focus on growing the domestic industry that supports roughly 64,000 jobs across the nation,”

As a result of the Commerce Department’s final ruling, importers of Argentinian and Indonesian biodiesel will continue to pay cash deposits on biodiesel imported from those countries. The updated cash deposit rates range from 60.44 to 86.41 percent for biodiesel from Argentina, and 92.52 to 276.65 percent for biodiesel from Indonesia, depending on the particular foreign producer/exporter involved. The Commerce Department will instruct Customs to collect cash deposits in these amounts when the final determination is published in the Federal Register sometime next week. The duty deposit requirements are in addition to the deposits required by the final countervailing duty orders published earlier this year. The final countervailing duty orders followed affirmative findings that unfairly subsidized biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia injured the U.S. biodiesel industry. A final determination by the International Trade Commission in connection with the antidumping case is expected in March or April.

Biodiesel, International

Sen. Cruz Rally Disappoints Ethanol Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) held a rally at Philadelphia Energy Solutions with refinery workers from along the East Coast to continue his attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), much to the disappointment of the ethanol industry.

“Senator Cruz’s efforts to secure a so-called ‘win-win’ solution to protect refining jobs are entirely misdirected,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen. “If lowering the price of RINs is deemed a necessity, however, there is indeed a win-win. Expand the use of renewable fuel by undoing the unnecessary regulations on higher ethanol blends. That would be consistent with Sen. Cruz’s and the president’s regulatory reform agenda, while protecting jobs in both refining and agriculture.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said, “It is shameful that Senator Cruz is calling on Uncle Sam to bailout PES for mismanagement blunders when most U.S. refiners have been complying with the law. The ethanol industry has been crystal clear with anyone willing to listen that the win-win Senator Cruz claims to seek is to grant RVP relief for E15 and higher blends.”

“Corn farmers’ definition of a “win-win” is providing regulatory parity for E15, and higher blends of ethanol, which would increase the supply of RINs to lower RIN values, and improve transparency in the trading system,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Kevin Skunes. “The only plan Senator Cruz has is to block the confirmation of Bill Northey, a well-qualified and much-needed leader at the Department of Agriculture, in order to undercut the successful, and beneficial Renewable Fuel Standard.“

ACE, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, Oil

Why Ethanol Should Care About Electric Vehicles

Carrie Muehling

It might be surprising to see electric cars on the agenda at the National Ethanol Conference. But that was the subject of a panel discussion at the recent meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

The panel included Tammy Klein, Future Fuel Strategies; Eva Rigamonti, Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA)/Steptoe & Johnson; and Leslie Hayward, Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE). Each panelist had a different perspective when it comes to the future of electric vehicles and the impact that will have on more traditional fuel sources, including ethanol.

“On the coastline, where population centers are and fuel demand is the strongest, we have to be honest with ourselves and figuring out how to align ourselves with the interests of the electric vehicle community, and at the same time, enhance our relationships with the liquid fuels industry, as well. And sometimes that’s hard because we’ve been fighting for so long,” said Robert White, Vice President of Industry Relations for the Renewable Fuels Association.

White said some municipalities and even countries around the globe have placed a ban on gasoline or diesel engines as they work towards minimizing the carbon footprint and lowering greenhouse has emissions. But he said there are plenty of challenges remaining for electric vehicles, including range anxiety and an overall shift in the way people have to think about driving.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Robert White here: Interview with Robert White, RFA

Listen to the panel discussion here: Electric Vehicles Panel

2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Corn Growers are Ethanol Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and a number of state corn grower groups put in an Ethanol Strong showing at the National Ethanol Conference last week.

Ten state corn grower organizations sponsored the NEC luncheon which featured political strategists Donna Brazile and Mary Matalin, two fellow New Orleans Catholics who hold different political views but are very close friends. It made for a very entertaining Fat Tuesday conversation with RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen, thanks to the corn growers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio.

Immediately following lunch, NCGA Director of Public Policy Kathy Bergren participated on a Washington Insider’s panel, discussing policy priorities, infrastructure and RINs. “Our top priorities when it comes to ethanol this year include promoting and protecting the RFS, working toward RVP parity for E15 and higher blends and expanding opportunities for biofuels as a high-octane fuel,” Bergren said.

Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater moderated the panel, which also included Frank Macchiarola with the American Petroleum Institute; Tara Billingsley, Jim Massie & Partners; Michael McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association; and
Devin Mogler, Green Plains Trade Group.

Listen to the panel here, starting in progress with Bergen’s comments on some corn grower priorities. Washington Insiders Panel Discussion on Policy

2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Syngenta Enogen Footprint Growing

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta Enogen team at National Ethanol Conference

In the past two months, Syngenta has announced two agreements with major ethanol producers to use Enogen® corn enzyme technology at their plants, continuing to grow the footprint of this biotech corn output trait designed specifically to enhance ethanol production.

In December, Green Plains Inc. of Nebraska partnered with Syngenta to expand its use of Enogen® corn across its 1.5 billion gallon production platform, and last month CHS Inc. signed on to use Enogen® corn at its 130-million-gallon ethanol plant in Rochelle, Illinois.

“Enogen is rapidly gaining popularity because of the value it delivers to ethanol producers and the opportunity it provides corn growers to be enzyme suppliers for their local ethanol plants,” said Jeff Oestmann, head of Bio-fuels Operations for Enogen at Syngenta. “We are proud to have made a significant investment to bring this game-changing technology to market to help make ethanol more sustainable and to help plants differentiate their offerings and support their local communities by keeping enzyme dollars local.”

Oestmann was at the National Ethanol Conference last week where Syngenta Enogen was a sponsor and I interviewed him to learn more about the expanding footprint of this trait. Interview with Jeff Oestmann, Syngenta Enogen

2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Enogen, enzymes, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Syngenta