ACE Announces Scholarship Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has announced its 2017 scholarship winners. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship through ACE’s Scholarship Program to help further their collegiate education.

Carrie Kemmet of Eleva, Wisconsin, will be attending Purdue University, where she is enrolled in the first-year engineering curriculum and the Honors College. Carrie is the daughter of Neal and Lucinda Kemmet. Her father Neal is employed with ACE ethanol producer member plant Ace Ethanol in Stanley, Wisconsin.

Hailea DeJong is from Madison, South Dakota, and will be pursuing nursing at the University of South Dakota. Hailea is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer DeJong. Her mother Jennifer works for ACE member East River Electric in Madison.

Keithen Drury from Blue Hill, Nebraska, is a junior at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Keithen is the son of Terry and Penny Drury. His father Terry is employed at ACE ethanol producer member Chief Ethanol Fuels in Hastings, Nebraska.

ACE has awarded $50,000 since the scholarship program was started in 2004 for employees and dependents of employees and shareholders of ACE member companies and organizations.

ACE, Ethanol

PERC Announces New Propane Farm Incentive Program

If you’ve been thinking about switching to propane, now is the time, says Cinch Munson, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).  The Propane Farm Incentive program has been newly revised, taking it from a two-step process to one-step where farmers receive their application packet from the dealer when they purchase a piece of qualifying equipment.  “We wanted to make things easier,” Munson said.

The purpose of the program is to offset the costs of purchasing propane-powered equipment and to gather valuable information about increasing efficiency and the development of new equipment.  Currently propane equipment in the ag space includes irrigation engines, prime power generators, heating systems for greenhouses and animals, and a few grain dryers.  To find a list of qualifying purchases, visit www.propane.com/farmincentive.

Two new offerings have also been brought to market by Origins Engines.  The new 5.7 L and 6.2 L engines provide higher horsepower that was previously lacking.  “We’re pretty excited to see that come to market because more choices are always a benefit for the consumer,” Munson told Cindy.

As with all good things, this offer will come to an end.  Currently it’s set to continue through 2017, but if you’re thinking about it, do it now, Munson advised.  There are lots of positives and very few negatives.

“It’s a good size incentive on an engine that, in most every case, costs considerably less than the latest Tier 4 engines.  So by choosing propane you save money on the cost up front.  Participating in the Farm Incentive Program you save even more money, and then the operating costs on those engines- we’ve seen over the last five years- by using propane instead of diesel, an operation can save 30 to 50 percent on their operating costs.”

Listen to Cindy’s full interview with Munson here: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Propane

Remembering the Original RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen keeps a signed copy of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which included the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), hanging on the wall of his office as a reminder of how far the industry has come since then. It was signed 12 years ago this week by President George W. Bush at a signing ceremony held in New Mexico to honor then-Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM), co-author of the bill.

The original RFS called for up to 7.5 billion gallons of biofuel by 2012. Because of the tremendous growth and the numerous benefits, Congress expanded the RFS in 2007, requiring oil companies to blend increasing volumes of renewable fuels with gasoline and diesel, culminating with 36 billion gallons in 2022. In the 12 years since its existence, the RFS has made tremendous progress towards its goals of energy security, clean air and boosting local economies.

Read Bob’s RFS anniversary reminiscing.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

RFA Sponsors Charitable Legends Ride

Cindy Zimmerman

The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Legends Ride celebrated 10 years of getting bikers together for a ride in the Black Hills while supporting the Black Hills Special Olympics and other charities, donating nearly half a million dollars in the past decade.

The Renewable Fuels Association helped to sponsor this year’s anniversary ride, and also donated $500 of free fuel to Black Hills Special Olympics and welcomed the Special Olympians to the rally. “We’ve been a sponsor of the Legends Ride for nine years, we missed the first year, but we’re happy to be part of this effort,” said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White.

The Olympians will be able to get that free fuel at the new self-serve Buffalo Chip filling station, which is dispensing 93 octane, 10 percent ethanol fuel.

Audio file: Legends Ride presser

2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally photo album


Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, Sturgis, Video

Sturgis Bikers Have New E10 Fueling Station

For the first time this year, motorcycle enthusiasts staying at the Buffalo Chip Campground for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally have a place to buy 93 octane, 10 percent ethanol fuel as they head out for a ride in the Black Hills.

“It’s like jet fuel for your bike,” said Buffalo Chip owner Rod Woodruff. “It’s on your way out of the Chip, so you can stop and don’t have to go get in line at some place downtown. It’s 24/7 operated by credit card, so fill up and head for the hills!”

The single pump fuel station was donated by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) which has been sponsoring events at the campground and rally for nine years now, and Woodruff is a big fan of ethanol.

“I personally have been using it myself since we’ve had it available,” he said. “It’s phenomenal.”

Woodruff says the fueling station has already been doing a brisk business, but it will definitely get a good workout this afternoon, as RFA will again sponsor Free Fuel Happy Hours at the rally, providing a free tank of 93 octane E10 for motorcycles. The free tank giveaway will be held today, tomorrow and Thursday from 1-3 pm each day at the Buffalo Chip Campground.

Audio file: Interview with Rod Woodruff, Buffalo Chip Campground owner

2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally photo album

AgWired Energy, Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Webinar Series on Oil Release Planning, Prevention, Mitigation

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Foundation and Pinnacle Engineering are teaming up once again to sponsor a five-part webinar series for renewable fuel stakeholders about oil release planning, prevention and impact mitigation. The Renewable Fuels Foundation is the education and research arm of the Renewable Fuels Association.

Renewable fuel facilities with oil storage (including denatured ethanol) greater than 1 million gallons are generally subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement to prepare, submit, and implement a Facility Response Plan (FRP). This webinar series will provide an educational opportunity to industry stakeholders on applicability, plan development, training, response and other compliance matters related to preparing and implementing an FRP.

The webinar schedule will be once a month starting next Wednesday, Aug. 16 with an overview of FRPs.
• Aug. 16: FRP Overview
• Sept. 6: Developing an FRP
• Oct. 11: FRP Implementation and Training
• Nov. 1: Incident Management and Impact Mitigation
• Dec. 6: Lessons Learned and Ongoing Compliance

The webinars, which will all be held from 11 a.m. – noon CT, are FREE for RFA members and $100 per session for non-members is $100 per session. To reserve your spot, please contact Missy Ruff at mruff@ethanolrfa.org or 202-446-1944.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

USDA Getting #BackToOurRoots

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been on a five-state “Back to Our Roots” Tour to gather input on the 2018 Farm Bill, meeting with farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, students, governors, USDA employees, and other stakeholders. This is the first of two RV tours the secretary will undertake this summer.

This first RV Tour features stops in five states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. “The ‘Back to our Roots’ Farm Bill and rural prosperity RV listening tour will allow us to hear directly from people in agriculture across the country, as well as our consumers – they are the ones on the front lines of American agriculture and they know best what the current issues are,” Perdue said.

Secretary Sonny held a press conference this morning to talk about his trip, with reporters’ questions including issues with Sam Clovis’ nomination, dicamba concerns, and drought in the Dakotas.
Sec. Perdue presser on Back to our Roots tour

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Free Fuel Happy Hours at The Buffalo Chip

chuck zimmerman

The Buffalo Chip Campground now has its own gas dispenser. It’s a high octane blend of E10 which as all bikers need to know is warrantied safe by all manufacturers. In fact, this 93 octane, is highly sought after by the attendees of this year’s Sturgis Rally who are out at The Chip and is usually hard to find. But thanks to the Renewable Fuels Association, working with The Buffalo Chip, there is now a supply at a self service pump on the property.

During this week I will be working with RFA as they hold daily Free Fuel Happy Hours when bikers can just pull up and get a free tank for their next ride. During the week I’ll be visiting with many of our customers to learn what they know about ethanol. While they are filling up they will learn more about ethanol, get the facts and hopefully be able to help spread that word to others.

RFA is a major sponsor here during the Sturgis Rally. One of the locations you’ll see educational information is on the jumbotrons on either side of the Wolfman Jack stage where major bands like Shinedown and Ozzy are playing this week. Last night Shinedown performed to a large crowd which I imagine will be even bigger when Ozzy takes the stage later this week.

I’ll be collecting photos and interviews to share during the week so keep an eye on AgWired for the latest.

AgWired Energy, biofuels, Ethanol, RFA

Canada Top U.S. Ethanol Importer in June

Cindy Zimmerman

As Brazil continues to mull a proposed 20 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports, exports to that country hit their lowest point this year in June allowing Canada to take the top importer spot for that month.

However, according to the Renewable Fuels Association analysis of EIA data, shipments to Brazil for the first half of this year are roughly the same as they were for the entire year last year.

U.S. ethanol exports totaled 92.7 million gallons (mg) in June, down 22% from May shipments, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable fuels Association (RFA). Canada and Brazil were again the top destinations for U.S. exports, combining to receive nearly half of total exports in June, although volumes to both destinations fell sharply from May. Canada took in 24.8 mg in June (down 21% from May), while Brazil imported 20.9 mg (down 68%). Meanwhile, India jumped back into the market for the first time since March, importing 13.6 mg. U.S. ethanol exports to all destinations for the first half of the year stood at 686.8 mg, indicating a record annualized export total of 1.37 billion gallons.

Ethanol imports for the first half of 2017 were 63% higher than last year at 20.2 mg, with half of that coming in from Brazil in June (10.6 mg) an 11% increase from May.

Export of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) increased 20% to 889,114 metric tons (mt) in June with Mexico being the number one destination. Export sales for the first half of 2017 are 5.54 million mt, up four percent from this time last year.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

Minnesota Moves Forward with B20

Cindy Zimmerman

In 2005, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to require all diesel fuel to have a blend of at least 2 percent biodiesel, known as B2. Minnesota will once again become a leader when it becomes the first state to implement B20 next year.

“This state has been a leader in renewable fuels for the past 30 years,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Dave Frederickson during an appearance at Minnesota Farmfest Thursday with the Minnesota Soybean Growers new DieselSellerz biodiesel truck. The state will move from a 10 percent biodiesel blend (B10) to a 20 percent blend (B20) requirement for summertime months beginning May 1, 2018.

Audio file: MN Ag Commissioner Dave Fredrickson announces B20 at Farmfest

The state currently has three biodiesel plants located in Albert Lea, Brewster and Isanti, which produce more than 74 million gallons of biodiesel annually. The Albert Lea facility is owned and operated by Renewable Energy Group, Inc. aid “REG and our biodiesel industry partners will be ready to deliver the approximately 30 million additional gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel to Minnesota consumers during the summer months which will improve both the state’s economy and environment,” said Gary Haer, REG Vice President, Sales & Marketing.

Audio, Biodiesel, Soybeans