E15 Awareness Through Prime the Pump

Members of the Twin Cedars FFA Chapter in Bussey, Iowa, canvassed Iowa Speedway racegoers prior to the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen on June 24. Their goal was to increase awareness of the benefits of E15 and raise money to support Prime the Pump. Funds raised will be matched by Syngenta, and Twin Cedars members will earn money for their local chapter.

“Engaging the public about ethanol and renewable fuels is a good opportunity for my students,” said Miranda Johnson, advisor of the Twin Cedars FFA Chapter. “They are the future and they understand the importance of conservation and preservation of our land and resources – and the vital role farmers play in feeding and fueling our country.”

Mrs. Johnson said her students learn about ethanol production and its benefits through their classroom curriculum and the race provides additional hands-on application as they see E15 at work. Over the years, Twin Cedars have used the matched funds for a number of things including greenhouse updates.

Listen to my complete chat with Mrs. Johnson and her class here: Interview with Twin Cedars Advisor, Miranda Johnson

View and download photos from the race here: American Ethanol E15 250 Presented by Enogen Syngenta Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Energy, Audio, Ethanol, NASCAR, Syngenta

Ethanol Report from FEW

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen was the keynote speaker at the 33rd annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis, MN this week where he shared his eternal optimism for the industry with the people who “make the juice.”

In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, Dinneen talks about the need to grow markets for ethanol and the atmosphere this summer in DC: Ethanol Report from FEW

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Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, FEW, RFA

Downstate New York Ready for Bioheat

Cindy Zimmerman

Counties in Downstate New York are set to join New York City in increasing the use of biodiesel in home heating oil, a product called Bioheat® fuel.

Legislation passed this week by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (A.6954-A) and Senator Phil Boyle (S.B5422-A) would expand the state’s commitment to renewable energy by requiring heating oil sold in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties to contain at least five percent biodiesel (B5) by July 1, 2018. The bill now awaits action by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“This legislation builds on New York City’s continued commitment to clean energy and biodiesel while supporting local jobs and better choices for consumers,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen.

New York City, the largest municipal consumer of heating oil in the country, instituted a two percent biodiesel requirement in October of 2012 that increases to 5 percent later this year. This legislation would ensure the entire New York City Metropolitan Area, representing approximately 70 percent of the state’s heating oil market, would have a 5 percent biodiesel blending requirement.

Biodiesel, Bioheat, NBB

E15 Bill Faces Uphill Battle in Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

Tim Portz, BBI, moderates panel with Emily Skor of Growth Energy and Brian Jennings with ACE

The quickest way to immediately grow ethanol demand in this country is a simple two word fix to a section of the Clean Air Act, but nothing in Washington can ever be that easy.

American Coalition for Ethanol Executive Vice President Brian Jennings talked about the “Industry’s Best Opportunities to Grow Ethanol Demand Here at Home” during a session at the 2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop this week, the easiest of which would be allowing the sale of 15% ethanol in all markets year round. The Consumer and Fuel Retailers Choice Act would make that happen by extending the ethanol Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to E15 but as last week’s hearing in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee illustrated, the bill faces a challenge just getting out of that committee.

“We have to convince probably at least six senators on that committee to go our way,” said Jennings. “We’re just going to work with (Senators) Fischer and Ernst and just see if we can build momentum between now and the August recess.”

Jennings notes that there are other ways the E15 summer penalty can be addressed. “We also have a new administration, a new EPA, that has said they are going to revisit this issue, so I like the double barrel approach,” Jennings added.

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Brian Jennings, ACE

2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photos

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by Syngenta Enogen

ACE, Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW

Iowa Biodiesel on Capitol Hill for Tax Incentive Reform

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa biodiesel supporters meet with Rep. Dave Young (D-CO)

Biodiesel advocates from Iowa were on Capitol Hill this week to talk with members of Congress about the need for a reformed biodiesel tax incentive.

Bills have been introduced in Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit, and reform it from a blenders credit to a producers credit and fix a loophole where foreign biodiesel producers can take advantage of the credit at the expense of U.S. taxpayers. The group also asked Iowa’s representatives to stand strong on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and oppose any efforts to undermine the statute.

“Both the tax incentive and RFS are examples of successful bipartisan policies that make sense, and we’re grateful to our state’s delegation for their leadership on them,” said Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grant Kimberley. “Extending and reforming the tax credit will help realign it to work as Congress intended, supporting American jobs and products, while reducing reliance on other countries for our vital fuel supply.”

Reforming the biodiesel tax credit to a producers’ credit is estimated by LMC International to support nearly 82,000 U.S. jobs and $14.7 billion in economic activity.

Biodiesel, Government

Trump’s Comments Please Ethanol Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

Trump surrounded by ag and ethanol industry people in Iowa
(photo from Iowa RFA)

The ethanol industry was thrilled with President Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa this week where he put agriculture and biofuels in the spotlight.

“We’re here today to talk about how we’re going to empower America’s farmers and protect our nation’s proud farming legacy, and that includes ethanol, which I’ve done,” said Trump.

The president met with industry leaders prior to his rally in Cedar Rapids to discuss issues vital to the future of ag and renewable fuels, including Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) President Eamonn Byrne and Executive Director Monte Shaw.

“We want to thank President Trump for coming to Iowa and taking time to discuss renewable fuels and agriculture. Moving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) forward, breaking down barriers to E15, and opening up key export markets like China are vital to Iowa’s future,” said Shaw.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen also thanked President Trump for continuing to support biofuels generally, and ethanol specifically. “The president clearly understands the benefits of a healthy and robust ethanol industry, and recognizes the importance of both first-generation corn ethanol and emerging advanced biofuel technologies,” said Dinneen.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, RFA

Trump Commits to Agriculture in Iowa

President Donald Trump stood among various models of John Deere and Case IH farm equipment as he pledged to boost agriculture exports, loosen federal regulations on the agriculture industry, and support ethanol and biofuels yesterday while speaking to a crowd of about 250 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“Today we are celebrating the dignity of work and the greatness of the American farmer,” said President Trump. “I’m not a farmer, but I’d be very happy to be one. It’s a very beautiful world to be in.”

President Trump began his speech by congratulating former Iowa governor Terry Branstad before he leaves for Beijing on Friday to begin serving his new role as U.S. Ambassador to China. Branstad stepped up to the podium following the send-off to praise the Trump Administration’s work in re-gaining access for U.S. beef in China.

In his speech, President Trump pledged to support and protect corn-based ethanol and biofuels, emphasized his commitment to reforming the nation’s existing trade agreements, advocated for improving rural infrastructure, including access to rural broadband and increased resources for vocational programs like Kirkwood, and pledged to eliminate “the intrusive rules that undermine farmers’ ability to make a living.”

“U.S. farmers produce great products, but you have to work too hard and too long to make a living,” said President Trump. “We’re going to make it easier to produce and grow in America by eliminating job-killing regulations and supporting schools like Kirkwood that are helping to train young people in the cutting edge technologies that are making American agriculture greater and more productive than ever before.”

Prior to his speech, President Trump toured Kirkwood and learned about the institution’s successful precision agriculture program. He expressed sincere understanding and respect for the technologies that have advanced modern agriculture and pledged his support for the continued advancement of agricultural technologies and educational programs.

“If we continue to train our workers in these new technologies, then we will usher in a new era of prosperity for American agriculture and for the American farming family,” he said.

Listen to the full speech here: President Trump at Kirkwood Community College

Ag group, AgWired AgNewsWire, AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Government, politics

Enogen and Cellerate Making Ethanol Better

Cindy Zimmerman

At the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis this week, Syngenta was spreading the word about the winning combination of Cellerate™ process technology and Enogen corn for ethanol plants.

Ron Wulfkuhle, head of Enogen at Syngenta, explains that Cellerate converts corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol to get more ethanol from the same kernel of corn. “For the ethanol producer, it means they can increase through put as well as take advantage of part of the corn kernel fiber to make ethanol,” he said.

During a dinner for ethanol producers at FEW, Wulfkuhle announced a new partnership with plant builder Fagen Inc. “They’ve agreed to be our preferred builder,” said Wulfkuhle. “They’ve had their scientific staff working with us for about six months and have come to the conclusion that this is a technology they can get behind.”

This is a big week for Enogen with the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen coming up this weekend at the Iowa Speedway, and Wulfkuhle says they will be supporting the future of farming at the race this year. “We’re going to be working with the FFA doing a fundraiser at the race and just to make it interesting we’ve agreed to match whatever they raise,” he said.

Learn more about Cellerate, Enogen, and the race in this interview.
Interview with Ron Wulfkuhle, Enogen

2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photos

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by Syngenta Enogen

Audio, Enogen, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Syngenta

RFA CEO Revs Up Ethanol Producers at #FEW17

Cindy Zimmerman

The Fuel Ethanol Workshop has been one of Renewable Fuel Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen’s favorite meetings to attend for the past three decades.

“Because the people in this room have passion for what you do,” said Dinneen during his keynote address at #FEW17 on Tuesday. “You make the juice – and that is something extraordinarily special.”

In his address, Dinneen talked about the continuing importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard for the ethanol industry. “The RFS continues to be the most successful energy policy this country has seen,” he said.

Dinneen also commented on increasing markets for ethanol exports and more. Listen to his remarks here: RFA CEO Bob Dinneen keynote at #FEW17

2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photos

Fuel Ethanol Conference content sponsored by

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by Syngenta Enogen

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, RFA, RFS

RFA’s Cooper Gets High Octane Award

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA’s Geoff Cooper receives High Octane Award from BBI’s Tom Bryan

Renewable Fuels Association Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper was recognized with the ethanol industry’s “High Octane Award” during the 2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis Tuesday.

The award, established in 2000 by BBI International, recognizes a person “who has helped the ethanol industry mature and progress over the years” and “whose passion and unstoppable pursuits have significantly benefited the ethanol industry.”

“In receiving the High Octane Award, Geoff joins a prestigious list of passionate and committed industry champions,” said BBI President Tom Bryan. “Since the inception of the FEW awards 18 years ago, only two other trade association staff members have received this accolade. That says a lot about who Geoff is, and how much he’s done to help grow our industry.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this year’s High Octane Award. There is no greater compliment than knowing the leaders of this industry consider my contributions worthy of such special recognition,” Cooper said. “I have been extremely fortunate to serve an industry and organization whose values align so well with my own. I sincerely admire this industry and everything it stands for. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside the RFA Board of Directors and staff for the past nine years; their devotion to improving our nation’s economic security and environmental health has been truly inspiring. In reality, this award is a tribute to the many achievements of the RFA, its member companies, and its dedicated staff,” he added.

Geoff talks about how growing up on a farm and serving in the military led to his career in the ethanol industry. Interview with Geoff Cooper, RFA

2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photos

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by Syngenta Enogen

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW