Sleepy Eye Students Learn about Minnesota #Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder November 10, 2016

Students from Sleepy Eye High School recently learned about ethanol when they toured the nearby Highwater Ethanol located in Lamberton, Minn. During the tour, the 23 students learned about ethanol production – specifically how Highwater Ethanol produced nearly 60 million gallons of ethanol in 2015.

Students from Sleepy Eye High School during their tour of HIghwater Ethanol in Lamberton, Minn. The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

“The opportunity to host Sleepy High School for this tour was a great opportunity for the students as well as Highwater Ethanol employees. By sharing our knowledge of the ethanol and agriculture industry, we hope to have an impact on these students as they plan on furthering their education and identifying a career path,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol. “We informed the students of the different job opportunities available in the ethanol industry and related agricultural industry as well as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude as you work with individuals throughout your life.”

Some highlighted areas the students learned about included the water treatment process, incoming grain handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, and dried distillers grains production and storage. In addition, the students got a view of the administrative offices.

Highwater Ethanol is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, who has been supporting its members in many ways including giving students a taste of science and technology through ethanol production.

“It’s important for students to learn about clean, Minnesota-produced, renewable energy and how it reduces harmful emissions and supports the local economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

The 10-12 grade students were accompanies by their agriculture education teacher, Mary Hoffman, who said that an element of their syllabus included a Natural Resource Class that delved in to renewable energy including biofuels. She noted, “I think it is important to see what businesses are thriving in our nearby communities as well as see a renewable energy operation in place.“

biofuels, Education, Ethanol

What Will Trump Presidency Mean for Ag?

Jamie Johansen November 9, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Final decision time – who are you voting for?”

The polls have closed and Donald Trump is officially our President Elect. Many across the country are a bit surprised, yet our most recent ZimmPoll had Trump with a clear lead. The agricultural community predicted this win.

Here are the poll results:

Donald Trump – 56%
Hillary Clinton – 34%
Gary Johnson – 3%
Jill Stein – 0%
None of the above – 7%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, What will Trump presidency mean for ag?

The election is over – what now? NAFB hosted a agriculture “Reaction to Election” panel highlighting insights from key agricultural leader opinions. No one has the exact answers, but the big question now is what will a Trump presidency mean for agriculture. What do you think?

ZimmPoll

#Biodiesel Industry Congrats President-Elect Trump

Joanna Schroeder November 9, 2016

Along with their sister biofuel ethanol, the biodiesel diesel industry is congratulating President-Elect Donald Trump who is set to become America’s 45th President.

National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen issued the following statement.

“The National Biodiesel Board congratulates our newly elected and returning leaders and looks forward to working them to promote local jobs, energy security and clean air through a growing biodiesel market. Biodiesel has long been a bi-partisan issue and we are confident our new Congress will continue to support a smart solution that works for America on so many levels. President Elect Trump has expressed strong support for biofuels and support for the RFS, so we are hopeful his administration will further strengthen opportunities for America’s advanced biofuel. By the time he takes office we hope that the EPA will have announced biodiesel volumes that more closely reflect fuel availability and current production and that the critical biodiesel tax incentive will be extended and reformed to a production credit to ensure that American jobs are not put at risk yet again due to Congress’s inaction.”

Iowa is the nation’s leading biodiesel producing state and its state association, the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) also issued remarks following the election. IBB Executive Director Grant Kimberley stated, “We welcome the opportunity to work with a new Administration in the White House, and appreciate the positive statements about biodiesel that President-elect Donald Trump made on the campaign trail. We are optimistic that he will support policies imperative to the growth of biodiesel, including the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, one of the most effective policies in history to diversify America’s fuel supply. The federal tax incentive for biodiesel is also critical to help us compete against petroleum, which had more than a hundred-year start on biodiesel. Nowhere is the impact of these policies more evident than in Iowa. In 2015, Iowa’s 12 operating biodiesel plants produced a record 242 million gallons of biodiesel.”

Also of note in Iowa, Chuck Grassley was re-elected to the U.S. Senate while Reps. Rod Blum, David Young, Dave Loebsack and Steve King were re-elected to the U.S. House. Kimberly said of these results, “We congratulate our entire Congressional delegation from Iowa on their victories last night, and thank them for their continued leadership in fostering the inclusion of American-made biodiesel in our nation’s energy supply. Our state owes these Congressional leaders gratitude for fighting time and again to give biodiesel the place at the table it deserves. Biodiesel is a critical piece of our nation’s ambitions for energy security, Greenhouse Gas reduction and economic development.”

Moving forward, Kimberly said the main goal of the organization is to ensure the Biodiesel Tax Credit is extended for a number of years. “Our immediate priority is to extend the current $1 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel, but also restructure the incentive from a blender’s credit to a producer’s credit,” said Kimberly. This is vital because the current structure allows foreign biodiesel producers to take advantage of the credit if their fuel is blended in the U.S. – not the original intent of Congress. We look forward to the time ahead as we work to secure biodiesel’s future.“

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB, politics

#Ethanol Groups Support Trump’s Election

Joanna Schroeder November 9, 2016

**Updated

Donald Trump has been elected as 45th President of the United States. In response to the news, several ethanol groups, on behalf of the industry, are sending out their congratulations.

“The president-elect repeatedly expressed strong support for ethanol, generally, and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), specifically, on the campaign trail,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “He understands the importance of clean, domestic energy resources and the economic power of value-added agriculture. We are confident Mr. Trump will continue to support the expanded production and use of fuel ethanol. Moreover, the president-elect is committed to removing regulatory barriers that impede growth. We look forward to working with a Trump administration to remove unnecessary volatility restrictions that have discouraged market acceptance of higher level ethanol blends like E15 and created unreasonable administrative burdens on gasoline marketers willing to offer these fuels to consumers. Finally, a core principle of the Trump campaign has been putting America first and more aggressively pursuing fair trade agreements that recognize the value of American products. We are eager to work with the new Administration on myriad trade challenges currently facing the U.S. ethanol industry.”

Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), stated “Rural America delivered an impressive and historic victory for Donald Trump and I expect a Trump presidency will make good on its promises to support the hard-working Americans who are involved in the biofuels industry. I anticipate that President-elect Trump appoints an EPA administrator who will restore the statutory intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard and remove unnecessary regulatory limits to ethanol use such as the Reid vapor pressure limit on blends above E10. The people of our industry will need to actively engage Congress to keep the RFS on track because oil companies will work harder than ever in 2017 to repeal it.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor made the following statement. “Growth Energy sends its congratulations to President-elect Trump for his successful election bid. Additionally, Growth Energy congratulates returning and newly elected members of the 115^th Congress. President-Elect Trump has publicly supported the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) throughout his campaign, and consistently opposed any efforts to roll back this policy. In fact, the RFS was one issue where both candidates found common ground, and we applaud their recognition of the importance that biofuels, like ethanol, play in fueling our country.

“Growth Energy looks forward to working with the new administration to ensure the RFS, our nation’s most successful energy policy, continues to progress. Furthermore, we will work to continue expanding market access for biofuels, like E15, which are better for our energy security, environment, consumers’ wallets and rural America’s economic prosperity.

“Finally, we welcome back our returning champions who have tirelessly fought for a strong biofuels industry and look forward to building relationships and working to educate new members of Congress on the many ways Americans benefit from biofuels every day.”Read More

ACE, Ethanol, Growth Energy, politics, RFA

Fueling our Future Theme of 2017 #Biodiesel Conference

Joanna Schroeder November 9, 2016

The biodiesel industry will be heading to San Diego, California next January for the 14th annual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo. This year’s theme is Fueling our Future and takes place January 16-19, 2017. Some of the key topics will be the future of biodiesel with Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, as well as highlight new data supporting the carbon reduction and emissions benefits of biodiesel. There will also be discussions around some of the country’s groundbreaking environmental policies like California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Attendees will also hear from new National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagen and his vision for the future of biodiesel about his plans for the organization.

“Our conference theme is ‘Fueling our Future,’ reflecting that biodiesel is here to stay as we move forward into a new era,” Rehagen said. “Biodiesel continues to serve as an essential element of our nation’s fuel supply, and we plan to keep growing. This conference represents that launching point, and anyone whose business or organization involves biodiesel should be engaged at this event.”

Sessions planned include:

Strategic Distribution for Domestic Biodiesel Production: Challenges & Opportunities
California’s Thriving Low-Carbon Markets
Understanding Carbon Markets in the Northeast
Clearing the Error: Tips for Avoiding Costly RFS Compliance Mistakes
Spotlight on Washington: What to Expect with a New Administration and Congress
The Road Ahead: OEMs and Fleets Cutting Carbon with Biodiesel
Make it So: ASTM Spec Changes Helping Biodiesel Boldly Go into the Future
Show You the Money: Tapping into Federal Programs
Data Dive: What do Americans Really Think About Biodiesel?

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the Ride-and-Drive and check out all things biodiesel in the exhibit hall.

Registration is open. And applications are still being accepted for a scholarship to attend the event under the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel Program. Application deadline is November 18, 2016.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB

With Trump Taking America’s Helm, How Will #Biofuels Fare?

Joanna Schroeder November 9, 2016

Donald Trump speaking at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in January 2015. Next year's Summit will focus on the post election forecast. Photo credit: Joanna Schroeder

Donald Trump speaking at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in January 2016. Next year’s Summit will focus on the post election forecast. Photo credit: Joanna Schroeder

In what many are calling an unexpected win for Donald Trump for the next presidency, the renewable energy industry is already asking what will this mean for them. As Democrats tend to be known for greater environmental action and with a Republican in office for the first time in eight years, a concern could bloom as to the the safety, in essence, of the renewable energy industry. So where exactly does Trump stand on some key energy policies? S&P Global Platts is reporting that while Trump has addressed biofuels, the Clean Air Act and the EPA among other issues, he has never outlined any specific plans, unlike his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Following is a compilation on three key renewable energy areas from S&P Global.

BIOFUELS
Trump has offered broad public support to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), but in September he unveiled an economic policy package that included a statement that the market underpinning the RFS, the EPA’s Renewable Identification Number program, “penalizes” refiners for not meeting “impossible” requirements. After these statements were criticized, they were removed from Trump’s campaign website and staffers claimed they were posted in error.

REGULATIONS
Trump has promised to either dismantle or overhaul the Environmental Protection Agency and roll back Obama administration regulations to curb coal industry pollution. Cramer said Trump believes EPA needs to return to its core mission of protecting clean water and clean air, and that Congress has granted it too much leeway in interpreting legislation.

Trump is expected to try to scrap the Clean Power Plan. He questions the widely held scientific consensus that human activity is causing climate change.

Trump is expected to abandon, or at least weaken, efforts by EPA and the Department of the Interior to regulate methane emissions from oil and gas operations and also could weaken future car and truck fuel-economy standards.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Trump’s possible efforts to end incentives for alternative energy development would boost near-term demand for fossil fuels. For example, a potential cut in the Investment Tax Credit to 10% from the current 30% would slash solar installation demand by 60%, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Only time will tell, of course, but in the near term AgWired will be posting reacts from the industry and continue to tell the story of renewable energy.

Alternative energy, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Opinion, politics

Fulcrum BioEnergy & BP Enter Biojet Fuel Partnership

Joanna Schroeder November 9, 2016

Photo credit: Fulcrum BioEnergy

Fulcrum BioEnergy and BP have entered into a partnership that includes an investment of $30 million by BP. One goal of the partnership is to accelerate the timeline for completion of Fulcrum’s biorefinery that will produce bioject fuel. Fulcrum BioEnergy and Air BP, the aviation division of BP, have also entered into a partnership with an offtake fuel agreement that will provide Air BP with 50 million gallons per year of bioject fuel with a total agreement of 500 million total gallons of aviation fuel. In addition, Air BP will provide fuel supply chain services for the blending, certification and delivery of the biojet fuel.

“Entering into this strategic relationship with a global oil and gas company enhances the value of Fulcrum’s waste to fuel platform,” said E. James Macias, Fulcrum’s president and CEO. “This allows us to accelerate development of our second and third plants. With BP’s expertise in refining and fuel services, their partnership provides value beyond the investment, fuel offtake and logistic services.”

Jon Platt Chief Executive Officer at Air BP added, “We are delighted to be a strategic partner with Fulcrum – a pioneer in the development and production of lower-carbon jet fuel from municipal solid waste. The aviation industry has set ambitious lower carbon goals. This agreement gives Air BP guaranteed access to low-carbon jet fuel to help our customers meet these goals. We are excited by the opportunities that this partnership offers.”

Fulcrum is also reporting that this agreement, along with several others, will accelerate the development of more larger-scale project across the U.S.

aviation biofuels, biojet fuel

Sandra’s Quick Shop To Host Pump Promo in Garnett, KS

Joanna Schroeder November 8, 2016

Sandra’s Quick Stop in Garnett, Kansas is celebrating the addition of several blender pumps that will offer consumers the choice to fill up with higher ethanol blends with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback as a guest of honor.

The retail station, located at the junction of Highway 169 and Highway 59, is hosting a pump promotion on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Fuel discounts will be offered: drivers will get 15 cents off E15 fuel; 30 cents off E30 fuel; and E85 fuel will be sold for 85 cents per gallon.

“This is about increasing the motorists’ choices when they fill up,” said store owner Sandra Zook. “If you want to use regular unleaded or premium fuel, that’s great, but now you have access to E15 if you have a vehicle 2001 or newer, and E30 and E85 if you have a flex fuel vehicle.”

Staff from East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE), Kansas Corn and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will be at the event to answer questions about E15 fuel that is approved for all vehicles 2001 and newer, as well as E30 and E85 that can be used in flex fuel vehicles. In addition there will be free food, along with Kansas Lottery promotions and gift cards for veterans, sponsored by the RFA and EKAE.

“With E15, you’re getting a higher octane fuel for a lower cost,” EKAE President and CEO Jeff Oestman noted. “Ethanol is a homegrown fuel that helps our local economies and reduces our reliance on foreign oil, which is important to a veteran like me.”

Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek added, “This blender pump grant program is intended to add ethanol choices at high-volume fuel stations like Sandra’s. Our program is expanding the availability of ethanol blender pumps. We’ve also added three stations in Wichita, and more stations are in the works.”

The new fueling infrastructure was paid for in part with a grant from the USDA’s Biofuels Infrastructure program via the Kansas Better Blends Initiative that is providing $2.3 million in funds for Kansas fuel retailers to add ethanol blender pumps. The Kansas Corn Commission is implementing the program.

E15, E85, Ethanol, Retailers

Novozymes Debuts Biological Foam Control for Sugarcane #Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder November 8, 2016

Novozymes has launched the first ever biological foam control for sugcarcane ethanol called Fermax™. The enzyme protease replaces chemicals in the sugarcane ethanol production and prevents foam development during the fermentation process. According to Novozymes, ethanol plants that trialed Fermax experienced improved control as well as a cost reduction of up to 20 percent as compared to using chemicals.

“This is the first ever biological solution that prevents foam development during the fermentation process, which is a critical issue for producers,” said Daniel Cardinali, Novozymes’ head of sugarcane platform and biorefining for Latin America. “With Fermax, sugarcane ethanol producers can use sustainable enzyme technology to lower their costs, reduce the need for harsh chemicals, and increase the amount of ethanol they can produce in their fermentation tanks.”

Foam develops during the fermentation process as the yeast produces ethanol and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide creates foam, which can cause overflow of the fermentation tank and lead to production losses. Excessive foaming also forces plants to increase fermentation time and operate at lower capacity. To control this issues, a combination of anti-foam and dispersant chemicals are typically used to reduce the formation of foam, but their performance varies according to process and feedstock conditions.

Whereas according to Novozymes, Fermax delivers predictability and consistency. It helps stabilize the fermentation process to remove the variation seen in current, chemical-based technologies. The product does not remove the foam, rather it prevents foam from forming. The enzyme changes the foam structure by breaking down the stabilizing proteins to make it lighter and less dense. This enables better fermentation control, which allows producers to operate their plants more efficiently.

Fermax can completely replace, or work in combination with, traditional dispersant chemicals to boost their activity. Novozymes cites it can also save up to 70 percent of anti-foam chemicals. In addition, Fermax is easily applicable across a variety of plant configurations, i.e. continuous/batch fermentation and continuous/batch yeast treatment.

“This enzyme is a very cost-efficient solution, competitive with harsh chemicals, but without all their hidden costs, including supply issues, yeast damage, and incrustation,” Cardinali adds. “Sugarcane ethanol producers have traditionally not used enzymes. With Fermax, we start to apply the fascinating power of nature also within this growing industry to further improve production economics.”

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, enzymes, Ethanol, Novozymes

New Blender Pumps Open In Holstein, Iowa

Joanna Schroeder November 8, 2016

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Photo Credit: Holstein Travel Center

Holstein Travel Center has added four blender pumps and to celebrate the retail station is hosting a pump promotion November 11-12, 2016. The station is located on Indorf Avenue in Holstein, Iowa. The station will be receiving its ethanol from Quad County Corn Processors based in Galva, Iowa. A portion of the costs, $50,00, was awarded to the station under the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure program.

For the grand opening, there will be multiple specials and gift card drawings. On Nov. 11, E85 will be 85 cents per gallon between 3–5 p.m. CT and the same price the following day between 11 a.m.–1 p.m. CT. E15 will also be specially priced at $1.15 per gallon and E30 will be $1 per gallon those same times and days.

“We are looking forward to celebrating our grand opening and providing consumers more choices at the pump,” said Chris Brown, director of operations for the Holstein Travel Center. “Our partnership with Quad County Corn Processors will help bolster our local economy and shows a commitment to Iowa’s renewable fuels. I am glad to join that growing list of Iowa retailers who are making this commitment.”

Delayne Johnson, CEO of Quad County Corn Processors, said he is pleased to see further expansion of ethanol blender pumps in Iowa and around the nation. “Blender pumps allow retailers to provide more of what consumers want — choice. We are proud to collaborate with Holstein Travel Center to provide cleaner burning ethanol and congratulate them on their grand opening.”

“We thank Holstein Travel Center for installing ethanol blender pumps at its station,” said Robert White, RFA vice president of industry relations. “Ethanol is the lowest cost, highest octane source on the planet and we are glad consumers have stations like this that gives them greater access to more fuels. We look forward to more stations offering higher ethanol blends in the near future.”

E15, E85, Ethanol, Retailers, RFA

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