Summit Carbon Solutions Partners with POET

Cindy Zimmerman

Summit Carbon Solutions and POET have announced a partnership to expand the carbon opportunity across the Midwest by incorporating POET’s 12 facilities in Iowa and five facilities in South Dakota into the Summit project. This addition will facilitate the capture, transportation, and permanent storage of 4.7 million metric tons of CO2 annually from the 17 POET bioprocessing plants.

“This initiative is aimed at enhancing the financial profitability of our farmers, contributing to higher land values, and ensuring a more prosperous future for farm families and communities,” said Lee Blank, CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions. “Our focus is on tangible benefits that directly support the backbone of our nation’s agricultural industry.”

The timeline for the addition of these plants is strategically planned. The plants in South Dakota will be included in the upcoming state application, ensuring a streamlined integration into Summit’s existing project framework. Meanwhile, for the plants in Iowa, separate applications will be filed, acknowledging the unique requirements and opportunities in each state. This structured approach allows Summit to efficiently expand our project scope while adhering to local regulations and needs.

biofuels, Carbon, carbon capture, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Whitefox Technologies Adds to Team

Cindy Zimmerman

Whitefox Technologies recently announced it has expanded its team and operations in the United States to support its growing US customer base.

Over the past six months, the team at Whitefox has added close to 10 new employees to its US division. In June, Michael Rice was hired as the Director of Project Delivery and Customer Service, along with Katie Garcia and Zachary McCoy who joined Melanie Zimmer as Customer Support Engineers. On the Commercial team, Jackie Hayes joined as the Business Development Manager and acts as a central person for building relationships with both new and existing customers. Abbie Seibart, Yelizar Rozenberg and Steve Gerberding more recently joined the Project Execution and Engineering team to support the design and project delivery of Whitefox ICE® installations in the US.

Whitefox successfully developed its ICE® portfolio of solutions by working closely with US ethanol producers. Its solutions cut energy and water consumption by 10-50%, aligning with both the US ethanol industry’s Net Zero goals and COP28’s phased approach away from fossil fuels. Having established a 5% market share since 2016, Whitefox is navigating increasing demand and is investing to build a strong US based team to both support its existing customers and deliver new projects.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Biodiesel Proves its Worth in Cold Weather

Cindy Zimmerman

Biodiesel is able to reduce carbon even in the extreme low temperatures combined with heavy snowfall the nation has seen over the month of January, according to Optimus Technologies which offers the Optimus Vector System with an 89% runtime on 100% biodiesel.

The cities of Ames IA, Madison WI, and Washington DC all utilize Optimus Technologies for their snowplows and are adopting 100% biodiesel (B100) as the decarbonization solution for their heavy-duty fleets as part of their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards renewable energy sources today.

Optimus Technologies founder Colin Huwyler says, “The decision to adopt 100% biodiesel for heavy-duty fleets represents a significant step towards environmental sustainability and decarbonization for these communities while supporting local economies and domestically produced fuels. I am thrilled that Optimus can be a critical partner for these leading cities embracing innovative solutions for cleaner transportation.”

The utilization of B100 is contributing to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with these cities near and long-term sustainability goals.

Biodiesel, Carbon, Clean Fuels Alliance

NCGA Cobcast on Corn, Ethanol and the RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest episode of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Cobcast podcast features a discussion on how the Renewable Fuel Standard changed the corn industry and made ethanol one of the most important markets for corn.

The podcast features agricultural economist Scott Irwin from the University of Illinois; Julie Busse, a member of the NCGA ethanol team; and Bradley Schad, CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association. They’ll provide some important context about ethanol’s history as a fuel, and also tell us how you can get involved with critical efforts to secure its future.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

corn, Ethanol, NCGA, Podcasting

Iowa Ethanol Needs Carbon Capture to Benefit from SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa corn farmers and ethanol producers celebrated the start of production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) this week at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels but a new study shows the state needs carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to reap benefits from increased use of ethanol-to-jet SAF.

“Today and every day going forward, American farmers and ethanol producers are losing demand until we get carbon capture and sequestration online,” stated Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) executive director, who was in Georgia to witness the LanzaJet grand opening. “LanzaJet is proving that SAF from ethanol is here today. Now it is up to us to produce a qualifying ethanol feedstock. Iowans need to realize that CCS is the key to the new market. Regardless of individual views on carbon policy, our business is making the products our customers want and right now we can’t do that.”

Currently, no Iowa ethanol plant has a carbon intensity score low enough to qualify as a SAF feedstock and only one plant in the entire country is using CCS to produce SAF-friendly ethanol. By contrast, Brazil produces over 7 billion gallons of ethanol with a carbon score expected to qualify for SAF production.

A new study by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) has found that fully maximizing the potential of the SAF production in Iowa will have a generation impact.

To meet the demand, DIS projects that Iowa would build:

11 new 200-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plants
5 new ethanol-to-jet SAF production facilities
3 new facilities that convert soybean oil, fats and greases to SAF.

“The construction and ongoing operations of these facilities hold the promise to fundamentally transform rural Iowa in ways even bigger than the current biofuels industry,” stated David Miller, DIS chief economist and report author. “We have the opportunity to set the stage for the next 25 years when corn production will rise to 20-21 billion bushels per year based on current acres. No other market but SAF can utilize that corn. If we do not embrace low carbon ethanol to unlock SAF, we are likely to lose 20 million acres of corn across the Midwest and the $10 billion in farm income those acres create. What will our legacy be?”

IRFA held a press call this week to introduce the study. Listen to it below.
Iowa SAF Study press call 29:00

Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, SAF

LanzaJet Opens First Ethanol to SAF Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

LanzaJet made history this week opening the world’s first ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Soperton, Georgia.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined LanzaJet at Wednesday’s event. “As we transition to SAF, this will not only create new climate smart commodity markets for American producers, but it will also help American companies such as LanzaJet corner the market of a valuable, emerging industry, while revitalizing rural communities like Soperton with agriculture front and center in the effort. LanzaJet’s facility will help accelerate the SAF industry and provide new economic opportunities for producers for a more sustainable future.”

Listen to Vilsack’s comments here:
Sec. Vilsack at LanzaJet opening 22:37

LanzaJet is a member of the Renewable Fuels Association and RFA CEO Geoff Cooper congratulated the company on this historic achievement. “We hope Lanzajet’s Freedom Pines biorefinery is the first of many facilities across the country to use low-carbon ethanol as a feedstock to produce SAF, and we look forward to working with our partners in the biorefining and airline sectors to facilitate rapid growth in the sector,” said Cooper. “Our nation’s farmers and ethanol producers stand ready to serve this growing market, with production capacity and transportation infrastructure already in place to meet future demand. But for that vision to become a reality, we need the Biden administration to embrace sound science and swiftly finalize the modeling tools that will be used to determine eligibility for crucial SAF tax incentives.”

Audio, aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF, USDA

EPA Data Shows Clean Fuels Industry’s Record Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

Clean Fuels Alliance America this week welcomed the release of Public Data for the Renewable Fuel Standard by the Environmental Protection Agency, including final production volumes for 2023.

EPA’s data shows that U.S. production of biomass-based diesel – including biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and heating oil – reached 4 billion gallons in 2023. Both domestic production and use of advanced biomass-based diesel grew by 1 billion gallons in 2023, compared to 2022.

“The clean fuels industry achieved what EPA said could not be done – namely continued growth of advanced biodiesel, renewable diesel, SAF and heating oil from sustainably sourced feedstocks,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels.

In June 2023, EPA finalized Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024 and 2025 that provided only moderate increases in the biomass-based diesel and non-cellulosic advanced volumes each year. EPA established a mere 60-million-gallon increase in biomass-based diesel volumes for 2023 and only a 530-million-gallon increase for 2024 and 2025. Clean Fuels advocated increased growth of 500 million gallons for the biomass-based diesel category each of the three years.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, Clean Fuels Alliance, RFS

Senators Introduce Farm to Fly Act

Cindy Zimmerman

Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate this week would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Farm to Fly Act, sponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA, Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), would use existing USDA programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said they strongly support the Farm to Fly Act. “We truly appreciate Sen. Moran—along with cosponsors Sens. Klobuchar and Ernst—and their effort to move forward this important legislation that creates more clarity and stability around the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops,” said Cooper. “This bill helps position SAF for takeoff by ensuring the best available science and modeling tools are used to calculate the carbon benefits of homegrown renewable fuels.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill), Angie Craig (D-Minn), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minn), Mike Flood (R-Neb) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa). This legislation is also supported by a number of aviation, agriculture and energy leaders.

aviation biofuels, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, SAF

Donnie Wahlberg Teams with Clean Fuels for Bioheat® Fuel

Cindy Zimmerman

The founder of the band New Kids on the Block is helping Clean Fuels Alliance America promote the new heating fuel on the block – Bioheat®.

Donnie Wahlberg visits his childhood home in Dorchester, MA

Actor and Boston native Donnie Wahlberg, known for his deep ties to the Boston community, is excited to promote a cleaner, warmer future with Bioheat® fuel, an eco-friendly and sustainable home heating solution derived from plants, including soybeans.

“I have two sons. When they come to Boston to visit my family, and they see that big oil tank in the basement, they are like, ‘What is this?’ How great is it that I can now tell them, ‘You know what’s in there, vegetable oil,’” said Wahlberg. “It’s changing right under our noses we just have to realize that it’s right there. To know that my kids know that I am from an older generation, even though I don’t look it, but I care, and I’m doing my part to help protect their future and their children’s future and that means everything to me.”

Bioheat® fuel is a renewable energy source that blends traditional heating oil with biodiesel, significantly reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact. Wahlberg’s partnership with Clean Fuels is driven by a shared commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering environmental responsibility.

biofuels, Bioheat, Clean Fuels Alliance

Ethanol Report From Washington DC Auto Show

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is hoping its concept Plug-in Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle (PHEFFV) will be a stand out at the 2024 Washington, D.C. Auto Show.

Known on the auto circuit as the official “Public Policy Show”, the 10-day Washington, D.C. Auto Show is preceded by an official gathering of automotive industry leaders, government officials, and media contacts to address the current state of the country’s essential automotive sector and its future initiatives.

RFA Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development Robert White is at the show and talks about the great story they have to tell there about the benefits of the PHEFFV in this episode of The Ethanol Report.

Ethanol Report 1-18-24 20:11

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

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