GROWMARK FS Offers TOP TIER™ Biodiesel Blend

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK FS FAST STOP locations recently became among the first registered TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel sites in the country, and the Illinois-based farmer cooperative is offering the additized diesel fuel blended with biodiesel.

“By blending biodiesel into Top Tier Diesel Fuel, GROWMARK is providing customers with even more benefits,” said National Biodiesel Board Technical Director Scott Fenwick. “Biodiesel is cleaner burning than petroleum diesel, has higher cetane, provides better lubricity, and is safer to handle and store.”

Top Tier Diesel Fuel was developed to provide better performance, in turn helping the diesel fuel retailers, auto and engine manufacturers, and those who drive or use diesel-powered equipment. Relative to the ASTM D975 and D7467 specifications for diesel and biodiesel blends, the Top Tier Diesel Performance Standard requires detergents to reduce deposits on the fuel injectors, improve lubricity, improve fuel stability, and provide more protection against water and particulates that may be in the fuel before dispensing it into vehicles and equipment.

“We strive to provide the best fuel standard in the industry by not only meeting, but exceeding, the new TOP TIER Diesel Fuel standards,” said Curt Dunafin, GROWMARK energy services manager. “Additional performance benefits of Dieslex Gold include: cleaning up dirty engines, controlling moisture, faster starts, lower emissions, and extending storage stability.”

GROWMARK is a member of the National Biodiesel Board and has been an active participant in alternate fuel research, marketing and distribution for many years.

Learn more about TOP TIER and GROWMARK in this interview: Interview with Curt Dunafin, GROWMARK Energy

Biodiesel, GROWMARK, NBB

NCGA Announces 2017 Yield Contest Winners

Carrie Muehling

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has named the 2017 winners in its popular National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC). Five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel mark in the contest again this year.

The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 386 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 175.4 bushels per acre in 2017. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 542.2740.

That 542-plus bushels is another world record, set by the previous world record holder David Hula of Virginia. The new record yield was accomplished using Pioneer® P1197AM™ brand corn and breaks his 2015 record of 532 bushels per acre. Pioneer is proud to say that nine national and 191 state NCYC awards for 2017 are going to growers using Pioneer® brand products in their contest entry.

NCGA will honor this year’s winners during Commodity Classic 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. Find the complete list of state and national winners at www.ncga.com. The NCGA National Corn Yield Contest is in its 53rd year.

AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, corn, NCGA

A Decade of Progress with RFS2

Cindy Zimmerman

It was ten years ago today that President George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act, which greatly expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) established in 2005 so it became known as RFS2.

In the decade since passage, significant progress has been made towards greater energy security, cleaner air and boosting local economies, according to a new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association, “The RFS2: Then and Now.”

Among the highlights in the report:

The number of operational U.S. ethanol plants has nearly doubled from 110 in 2007 to 211 in 2017

U.S. ethanol production has grown 143% from 6.5 billion gallons in 2007 to 15.8 billion gallons in 2017

The production of advanced and cellulosic biofuel increased 469% from 490 million gallons in 2007 to 2.79 billion gallons in 2017

Jobs in the U.S. ethanol industry grew 42% to 339,176, with the value of the industry increasing 74% to $31 billion in 2017

U.S. corn production grew 12% from 13 billion bushels in 2007 to 14.6 billion bushels in 2017, while corn acres planted fell 3% to 90.4 million acres in and average corn yields increased 16% to 175.4 bushels

The greenhouse gas emissions avoided from using ethanol has increased 291% from 12.7 million tons CO2e in 2007 to 49.6 million tons CO2e in 2017.

Read the full analysis.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

#ThankYouRFS for 10 Years of Biofuels Success

Cindy Zimmerman

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was signed 10 years ago this week, with the intent of moving the United States “toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers” under the expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard created in 2005 and known as RFS2.

The Renewable Fuels Association is drawing attention to the successes of the RFS on this anniversary with ads in Politico Morning Energy all week and a #thankyouRFS campaign on Twitter to highlight all the consumer benefits of the RFS, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less dependence on foreign oil, and greater choice at the pump.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the milestone marks a decade of innovation. “The vital and increasing role of biofuels in America’s fuel supply are yielding real-world results that touch people’s lives every day,” she said. “On this keystone anniversary, our industry remains passionate about what the next 10 years holds.”
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings is very optimistic about the future. “I have every confidence that in 10 years from now our market share will grow from 10 percent of gasoline demand today to between 20 and 30 percent of the market, based on vehicle emission standards and demand for low-carbon fuel as the U.S. comes to grips with the fact that we need to do more to reduce CO2 emissions from the transportation sector.”

The EISA was signed on December 19, 2007 by President George W. Bush.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

ACE Urges Extension of Biofuels Tax Credits

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is urging the Conference Committee to include an extension of the Cellulosic Biofuel Tax Credit and Biodiesel Tax Credit as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“Extension of these provisions is critically important and consistent with the stated purposes of the tax bill of ‘growing our economy, bringing jobs back to our local communities, increasing paychecks for our workers, and making sure Americans are able to keep more of the money they earn,’” ACE CEO Brian Jennings said in a letter to Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means Kevin Brady and Chairman of the Committee on Finance Orrin Hatch.

With growth in cellulosic and advanced biofuels constrained under the Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations for 2018, Jennings says extending the tax credits is one of the “most important things the Conference Committee could do to support the existing biofuel sector and help spur its continued growth.”

Read the letter here.

ACE, advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol

Iowa Corn Looks to Increase Corn Use in Plastics

Carrie Muehling

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is one step closer to expanding the corn market after receiving a new patent application on a proprietary production method using corn in the industrial manufacturing of monoethylene glycol (MEG). Most MEG is produced from fossil fuels, with the exception of some bio-MEG made from sugarcane ethanol and sourced from Brazil. Consumers are driving a change towards a more environmentally friendly product, especially when it comes to bottled water and soft drinks, where MEG is widely used.

“There’s already about a four percent growth annually in that market,” said Pete Brecht, a farmer from Central City who chairs Iowa Corn’s Research and Development Committee. “If we could just capture that four percent increase in the market every year, we could be looking at grinding another 96 million bushels of corn annually, and that will help the farmer and reduce these stockpiles that we have.”

Iowa Corn uses checkoff dollars to fund this and other research to find new uses for corn and to expand current markets for the product.

Learn more in this phone interview with Pete Brecht and Dr. Alex Buck: Interview with Pete Brecht and Dr. Alex Buck, Iowa Corn

AgWired Energy, Audio, corn

Biofuel Groups Thank Trump for RFS Support

Cindy Zimmerman

Nearly 100 businesses and organizations representing biofuels sent a letter to the White House last week thanking President Trump for his support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The letter also offered the president “some insights on how to maintain growth under the program while minimizing any potential for undue financial stress in certain parts of the refining industry” in reaction to Sen. Ted Cruz’s continued hold on Bill Northey’s nomination to USDA over concerns about the RFS and RIN prices.

The biofuels industry has for years advocated for policies that would bring down the price of RINs. For example, the ethanol industry has spent years trying to secure regulatory parity for Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) between ethanol-blended fuels and standard gasoline fuels. Outdated RVP rules needlessly constrain ethanol blending and put more pressure on RIN markets.

“The ready solution to Senator Cruz’s stated concerns is to blend more ethanol and send clear regulatory signals about the future growth of biofuels under the RFS. RVP relief would immediately add another three months’ worth of E15 sales to the market,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor.

The letter also suggests asking the EPA and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to improve transparency to prevent market manipulation, and extending the biodiesel credit and the second-generation biofuels producer tax credit (PTC).

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS

Perdue Hopes For RFS Resolution

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s been a long and busy year for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, but here at the end he is still short-staffed at USDA and could use some help from Santa to get the job done.

“I had no idea we would be delayed like this and it’s unfortunate,” said Sec. Perdue in a recent interview with Iowa Agribusiness Network‘s Ben Nuelle. “We have seven or eight different mission areas that need leadership, we’ve got less than half of those filled.”

One of the delays continues to be Bill Northey as USDA Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation, who was nominated over three months ago but put on hold by Sen. Ted Cruz over ethanol politics. “The senate has its rules where one member can hold a nominee in this way, it has nothing to do with Bill Northey’s qualifications,” said Perdue. “But there is a provision where the majority leader can bring his nomination to the floor…over the objection of Sen. Cruz.”

During an appearance at the National Press Club last week, Perdue was asked how refiners concerns over the Renewable Fuel Standard and Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) could be resolved. “The president understands that we’ve got to do something about RIN prices, the good news is, there’s a win-win here,” said Perdue. “We’re working with Sen. Cruz, EPA and others to help resolve the RIN prices that some to believe to be very speculative.” Sec. Perdue RFS comments at National Press Club

Ben Nuelle’s interview with the Secretary was conducted earlier this month, but all of Perdue’s comments are still pertinent – Iowa Agribusiness Network interview with Sec. Perdue

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFS, USDA

Propane Fuels Nestle Beverage Delivery Trucks

Cindy Zimmerman

Nestlé Waters North America recently deployed more than 400 additional medium-duty ReadyRefresh℠ by Nestlé® beverage delivery trucks fueled by propane autogas. The company now operates nearly 600 of these alternatively fueled trucks, which make up about 30 percent of its total North American fleet.

“Becoming a better steward of our environment is a priority for Nestlé Waters,” said Bill Ardis, national fleet manager for its ReadyRefresh business unit. “We’ve been running propane autogas vehicles since 2014, beginning with five class 5 vehicles. Based on the proven emissions reduction compared with our older diesel units, and lower fuel and total cost of ownership, we knew this was the right application for us within the alternative fuel space. With propane being domestically produced, it’s proven to have a more stable cost per gallon, while the fueling and maintenance infrastructures are much more cost effective than other alternative fuel options.”

ReadyRefresh’s additional Ford F-650/750 delivery trucks are each equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system that provides 55 usable gallons of fuel “without compromising our standard delivery methods,” said Ardis.

The company’s vehicle operators appreciate the benefits of a quieter engine, powertrain performance equivalent to current diesel delivery vehicles, easy fueling and simple operation. Propane autogas is the leading alternative fuel in the United States and the third most commonly used vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel.

Propane

NBB Technical Director Elected ASTM Committee Chair

Cindy Zimmerman

National Biodiesel Board (NBB) technical director Scott Fenwick was recently named the next chairman of the ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants.

“I am honored to serve as chair of this important ASTM committee that is dedicated to ensuring high quality standards for petroleum products, fuels and lubricants, including biodiesel,” said Fenwick. “I would like to thank Randy Jennings, with the State of Tennessee, for his leadership, commitment, and guidance as the outgoing chair.”

Fenwick was elected in October, and officially announced as chair at the recent DO2 committee meetings in Houston, Texas last week. His term will begin January 1, 2018. According to ASTM, Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants was formed in 1904. Approximately 1,000 members attend the five days of technical meetings twice a year. The committee, with a current membership of approximately 2,650 global industry professionals and experts, has jurisdiction over nearly 850 standards. These standards have, and continue to play, a preeminent role in all aspects relating to the standardization quality of fuels and lubricants.

Biodiesel, NBB