Immigration/Labor Important Election Issue

Cindy Zimmerman

zp-nh1Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How important is immigration/farm labor to election?”

This is really a pretty easy one to guess the results to. Somewhat to Very Important got about 84% of the votes. It certainly is an issue for debate in our upcoming presidential election.

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, How long until we have autonomous tractors on the market?

Both New Holland and Case IH debuted autonomous concept tractors during the Farm Progress Show. Judging from online comments this is a very polarizing announcement although they are a concept only at this point they show what can be done with new technology that lets an operator run a tractor without physically on the vehicle. You can watch video about the announcements using the links above.

ZimmPoll

IA Gov. Branstad Checks Out #FarmProgessShow

Joanna Schroeder

Another successful Farm Progress Show has wrapped up in Boone, Iowa. We ended on a high note with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad visiting exhibitors and stopping by the BASF Media Tent to speak with reporters about key ag issues. I spoke with him about three issues: ethanol, water quality and trade.

IMG_5257Branstad said that we appreciate the private sector support to improve water quality and said he and the Lt. Governor have been to over 40 sites in the state this summer to see water conservation in action. They are strongly advocating with Iowa legislators to pass water quality legislation again.

In terms of ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard, Gov Branstad visited Quad County Corn Processors this week along with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to see both first-gen and cellulosic ethanol in action. He said that the industry needs continued federal support and now Ernst can share her personal experience in DC.

Speaking on the topic of TPP Gov. Branstad said we have problems with both parties. He believes support will be difficult and they may have to renegotiate.

Learn more about these three issues by listening to my interview with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad: Interview with IA Governor Terry Branstad

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show

GROWMARK Talks Ethanol Tax Credits

Lizzy Schultz

gmk-media-spencer-1 The upcoming Presidential election, and the potential changes to funding and regulation that the changing administration may bring, is a concern for many within the agriculture industry, and it was a major talking point during the 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium.

Chuck Spencer, Executive Director for Government Affairs at GROWMARK, is using the upcoming elections as an opportunity to make positive change for the industry by working to impact congressional representatives with the issues that will be affected by the transition to a new administration.

“We have a Continuing Appropriations Act that is expiring this September, and we currently have 13 Appropriations Bills, but none of them have passed the entire process, so it’s very likely we’ll have another Omnibus spending bill that will either go until right after the election or until March, and that’s a very big discussion right now,” said Spencer in an interview during the Annual Meeting.

GROWMARK has been heavily involved in some of the major policy issues that have affected agriculture this year, including the GMO labeling bill, and the company remains interested in the annual renewal of tax extenders, especially related to the Renewable Fuels tax credits received in ethanol and biodiesel.

“Right now they still have to be renewed annually, and we’re looking to see if and how they are included in any comprehensive package that Congress would act on in September,” he said. “Biodiesel tax credit has lapsed for a period of two years, and that creates ripple effects in the marketplace that affects the pricing of those products, which is especially important as we’re on the verge of what is projected to be a very productive harvest season.”

Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Chuck here:
Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium Photo Album

Ag group, Agribusiness, biofuels, GROWMARK, RFS

Research Focuses on Better #Biodiesel

Joanna Schroeder

A new study has been released by the Mineta National Transit Research Consortium at San José State University that looked at the generation of a number of pollutants during low-temperature combustion (LTC) of several types of biodiesel as compared to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). The peer reviewed study found that not all biodiesel burns the same. Biodiesel produced using certain feedstocks produced less pollution that other feedstocks under specific combustion conditions.

Screen Shot 2016-09-01 at 9.50.13 AM“Experimental Modeling of NOx and PM Generation from Combustion of Various Biodiesel Blends for Urban Transport Buses,” also found that biodiesel may also reduce the size and number of soot particles. The research results led the authors to recommend that energy policies and environmental regulations should promote the use of “better” biodiesel feedstocks and blending ratios to optimize combustion efficiency and environmental and environmental sustainability.

The study focused on generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and carbon emissions from LTC of different grades of biodiesel (B0, B20, B50, and B100) from three different feedstocks: soybean methyl ester, tallow oil and waste cooking oil. The study found that biodiesel containing more unsaturated fatty acids emitted higher levels of NOx than the biodiesel with more saturated fatty acids. As such, the authors called for the use of feedstocks with lower amounts of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters such as tallow oil and waste cooking oil.

In terms of performance, the report found that a bus running on B5 was found to perform similarly with a bus running on ultra-low sulfur diesel while drivability was not an issue.

Principal investigator Dr. Ashok Kuma noted, “Biodiesel is being industrialized as one of the potential sources of sustainable energy for transportation in the future. This study provides additional justification for the use of biodiesel as an alternative fuel compared to regular diesel.”

Kuma added that it is recommended that governments consider using particular blends of biodiesel in urban and commercial vehicles to enhance the quality of air and to promote healthy living. Meanwhile, agriculture departments should publish guidelines for farmers for growing environmentally friendly biodiesel feedstock.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Research

IKEA to Install Biogas-Powered Fuel Cell System

Joanna Schroeder

IKEA has announced plans to build its first biogas-powered fuel cell system at its New Haven, Connecticut store. The project follows the success of two biogas systems installed in two San Francisco-area stores. IKEA has also announced plans for similar projects at four additional California stores. IKEA anticipates the New Haven fuel cell system will be commissioned and operational by this fall. Once complete, the company’s fuel cell portfolio will be more than 1.5 MW.

IKEA's fuel cell system installed at its retail location in Emeryville, CA. (Photo: Business Wire)

IKEA’s fuel cell system installed at its retail location in Emeryville, CA. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment with fuel cells at IKEA New Haven,” said Christof Stein, store manager. “Similar to our rooftop solar array, this fuel cell system will greatly reduce our carbon footprint and the store’s reliance on the power grid as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”

Slightly larger than the physical size of a commercial back-up generator, the 250-kw, biogas-powered project will produce approximately 2.08 million kWh of electricity each year for the store. Combined with the 940.8-kW solar array installed atop the store in 2012, the fuel cell project will help generate a majority of the store’s energy onsite.

For the design, development and installation of this fuel cell system, IKEA contracted with Sunnyvale-based Bloom Energy a provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology generating clean, highly-efficient on-site power. This investment in fuel cell technology reflects the company’s goal to be energy independent by 2020.

Alternative energy, biogas

GROWMARK FS & Star Energy Power #FarmProgressShow

Joanna Schroeder

Once agaifps-16-fs-jasonn, GROWMARK FS and STAR Energy are powering the Farm Progress Show. The companies supply fuels such as propane and propane autogas to help keep the farm equipment and vehicles running smoothly. One hundred percent of the fuel that powers the Farm Progress Show comes from GROWMARK Star Energy.

STAR Energy retail fuel manager Jason Stauffer told Cindy Zimmerman during an interview that there has been some exposure here in Iowa with several school systems converting their buses to propane autogas so GROWMARK Star Energy decided to promote propane this year in their booth.  The company also brought a Ford F-150, which is duel powered to run on gasoline and propane. “So if you can’t have access to propane, just pull into your gas station and fill it up,” explained Stauffer.

On their retail side, GROWMARK offers renewable fuels such as E10 and in terms of STAR Energy, Stauffer said they are huge supporters of ethanol. “In fact, this year we’re adding three more locations that will offer blends like E85.” Rockwell City, Guthrie Center and Yale – all in Iowa- will be adding E85 soon.

Learn more about STAR Energy’s role as the fuel sponsor of the Farm Progress Show in this interview: Interview with Jason Stauffer, FS Star Energy

2016 Farm Progress Show Photos

Alternative energy, Audio, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK, Propane

World Energy Acquires Elevance Natchez #Biodiesel Plant

Joanna Schroeder

World Energy has purchased a 72 million gallon biodiesel plant located on the Mississippi River in Natchez, MS from Elevance Natchez (ENI). Since 2013, World Energy has been supplying BQ9000 certified biodiesel from the biorefinery under a production contract with ENI.

“Today’s acquisition of ENI’s Mississippi River plant expands on the initiatives we took earlier this summer with BIOX,” said Gene Gebolys, World Energy’s CEO. “Advanced Biofuels are here to stay, but they won’t be fully mainstream until we integrate our 21st century fuels into the sprawling production and distribution complex established for traditional fuels in the 20th century. That system originates in the US Gulf so we need to origiWorld Energy logonate there too with both production and distribution. The Natchez and Houston operations now combine to enable us to supply BQ9000 quality biodiesel in the Gulf at a scale and level of seamless integration never before available.”

Back in June of 2016 World Energy formed a partnership with BIOX Corp and purchased a 90 million gallon per year biodiesel plant – BIOX Biofuels located in Galen Park, Texas. The companies are in the final stages of preparations and expect production to begin soon. In addition, the partnership announced a new 315,000 multimodal biofuels distribution center in Houston, TX that co-located and co-operated with WEBB at Kinder Morgan’s Galena Park Terminal. The Houston Hub is fully integrated into the city’s petroleum distribution network.

Gebolys added, “ENI has been a fantastic business partner for more than three and half years. This transaction allows both companies to deliver greater long term value in our respective core businesses and is just the latest step in our long and productive relationship.“

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

Greenbelt Resources Announces Reg A+

Joanna Schroeder

Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it plans to raise $16 million through a Regulation A+ public offering of freely trading shares priced at $0.20 per share. The company plans to build a local community-scale waste-to-energy ecosystem in Paso Robles, California, to convert local brewery and winery wastes into locally sellable products including renewable fuel, animal feed and liquid fertilizer.

greenbelt_logo_smallGreenbelt Resources filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 19, 2016, for a preliminary Offering Statement under Regulation A (Tier 2). The Offering Statement includes audited Financial Statements of the Company for the two years ended 2014 and 2015.

“After a thorough evaluation conducted by our two newest board members Joe Pivinski and Michael Nakamura, the Reg A platform was determined to be our best option to accept investment by investors interested in our planned rollout,” said Darren Eng, CEO of Greenbelt Resources. “By conducting a public offering of freely trading shares it gives investors more opportunity to participate in our planned growth worldwide.”

In addition to deploying a portion of the capital raised to develop a local-scale waste-to-energy ecosystem dubbed “PRECO” (for Paso Robles ECO-system), the company also plans to develop strategic target markets, establish additional ecosystem financing relationships, and conduct a targeted sales campaign to address local community needs worldwide.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Waste-to-Energy

NEB Unveils Spill Prevention Plan

Joanna Schroeder

The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) has partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Engineering’s Partners in Pollution Prevention program to develop a new Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan for agriculture producers who maintain their own fuel storage.

General fuel set up at Nebraska farm.

General fuel set up at Nebraska farm.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuels are hazardous materials, and as such, handling or storing them improperly can pose a risk to health and the environment. Therefore it is important that measures are taken to prevent even a small amount of fuel spilling and affecting the environment.

“The main benefit of the project is bringing agriculture producers in compliance with EPA regulations, so if a spill were to occur, the producer can mitigate any environmental damage and also reduce costly fines and associated cleanup,” explained Todd Sneller, NEB administrator. “If agriculture producers are not in compliance with EPA regulations, they run the risk of halting fuel deliveries to their operation.”

To assist producers in becoming compliant with the regulations, multiple tools and documents were developed to simply the process. Producers can find the information by clicking here.

Agribusiness, biofuels

Wayne Standardizes Retail Fuel Dispensers for E25

Cindy Zimmerman

wayneWayne Fueling Systems announced today that all Wayne North American retail fuel dispensers will be supplied as compatible and UL-Listed to E25 (25 percent ethanol and 75 percent petroleum) as a standard feature. The shift from the standard Underwriters Laboratory Listing of E10 to E25 is effective immediately for Wayne Ovation fuel dispensers and by year-end for the Wayne Helix family of dispensers.

“We are pleased to be the first manufacturer to offer E25-Listed dispensers as standard to our North American dispenser product offering, reflecting the growing interest from our customers to prepare for any and all necessary changes to the fueling infrastructure in the future,” said Wayne VP of Products and Services, Tom Cerovski. At this time, 90 percent of dispensers in the industry are only certified to dispense E10 fuel.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen applauded Wayne’s leadership to help retailers and the ethanol industry meet the increasing demand for higher biofuel blends across the nation. “As the demand grows for high octane, low carbon, low cost ethanol, due to compliance with the renewable fuel standard and with more stringent national fuel economy standards, it is important fuel dispensing equipment keeps up with the changes. We are proud that Wayne Fueling System is leading the charge,” said Dinneen.

With the potential shift to higher ethanol blends necessary to meet future fuel requirements brought about by more stringent CAFE standards and GHG reductions by 2025, this move is an expression of Wayne’s continued intent of supplying its customers with the most flexible, reliable and future-proof equipment options.

blends, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Retailers, RFA