#Ethanol Industry: Don’t Legislate Changes to the #RFS

Joanna Schroeder June 22, 2016

Several ethanol industry leaders testified today during the Energy and Power Subcommittee’s hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The EPA recently released its proposed rules for 2017 and 2018 and while the biofuel industry wants to see higher blending volumes, Big Oil wants to see lower blending volumes, says the ethanol industry, because the energy program’s continued implementation would mean further loss of market share.

According to the ethanol industry, the RFS has been an unmitigated success and repealing or dramatically reforming the program will reverse the gains already made under the program such as the reduction of dependence on foreign sources of oil and the reductions in carbon emissions. Modifying the RFS backward would also, says the ethanol industry, devastate investment in next generation biofuel technologies and halt progress.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, (RFA), in 2015, 14.8 billion gallons of ethanol was produced, supporting 85,967 direct jobs, while net petroleum import dependence fell to just 25 percent, and would have been 32 percent without the addition of domestically produced ethanol. In addition, RFA says the use of ethanol in gasoline in 2015 reduced greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by 41.2 million metric tons — equivalent to removing 8.7 million cars from the road for an entire year.

Dinneen said during his testimony, “The incumbent industry has already lost 10 percent of the market. If the RFS is implemented consistent with the statute, the market will make the final push to see cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels to fruition, resulting in the loss of 30 percent of the market. It is important to note that Congress did an excellent job of crafting the RFS, building in a great deal of administrative and market flexibility to deal with issues as they arise,” Dinneen told the subcommittee. “You wrote a good law in 2005. Don’t be bullied by the hyperbole and scare mongering by the incumbent industry that fundamentally disagrees with the need for alternative, low carbon options for consumers.…[T]here is nothing wrong with the RFS that cannot be fixed with what is right with the RFS, and there is no need to legislate changes to a program that is working well today.”

New Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, who keynoted the opening day of the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) yesterday, also submitted testimony for the official record. “…We urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep the RFS moving forward, and this committee to work towards fixing the actual issues standing in the way of full implementation. However, the regulatory hurdles and market barriers to entry that impact the E15 marketplace are not being discussed at today’s hearing. E15 is a less expensive, high performance fuel, but unlike E10, it cannot be sold during the summer driving season due to a 26 year-old legislative oversight in the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) statutory restrictions. Legislation has been offered in the House of Representatives to fix this problem (H.R. 1736) and this committee should spend time considering how to address this issue…“

biofuels, E15, E85, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

.@Novozymes Fanø Excited about Bioenergy University

Joanna Schroeder June 22, 2016

Earlier this year, Tina Sejersgård Fanø assumed the role of executive vice president for Novozymes Agricultural and Bioenergy division. Part of this division, she said, is their biofuel business and that biofuels are a big and very interesting business for them. This is Fanø’s first time at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) and Chuck Zimmerman was able to speak with her about Novozymes’ approach in the current market.

The company has clients across the globe and Fanø said the largest number are based in the U.S. “We know that the market for ethanol producers is very competitive, and what we want to secure is that we can do whatever we can to help producers increase their market in advancing their business.”

This said, they work closely with their clients to get to know their business. Novozymes offers educational opportunities such as Bioenergy University so the company can better advise them on such things as how they can improve their business margins, increase ethanol yields, reduce the use of chemicals and more. Ultimately, says Fanø, they work on creating solutions that are specific for their customer’s needs.

“It’s all about helping our customers succeed,” stressed Fanø. “I’m especially thrilled with our Bioenergy University because it helps our clients get better at what they do, and try to put more education behind that small piece of the whole puzzle we are helping with.”

To learn more about Novozyme’s biofuel business, listen to Chuck’s interview with Tina Sejersgård Fanø here: Interview with Tina Sejersgård Fanø, Novozymes

You can find photos from the 2016 FEW here: 2016 FEW Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, FEW, Novozymes

NBB Shares #Biodiesel Success Story with Congress

Joanna Schroeder June 22, 2016

During a congressional hearing today in Washington, D.C. focused on the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Anne Steckel, National Biodiesel Board (NBB) vice president of federal affairs, shared biodiesel’s success story and stressed that the industry is delivering the majority of advanced biofuels under the energy program and is poised to do even more.

“Biodiesel and renewable diesel are the unsung heroes of the RFS Advanced Biofuel program,” Steckel told the Energy and Power Subcommittee focused on RFS implementation issues. “If you take away one thing from my testimony today, I hope it is the following – while there are certainly areas that could be improved, the RFS has made tremendous progress in developing Advanced Biofuels and delivering them to American consumers. Biodiesel and renewable diesel have made up the vast majority of Advanced Biofuels in the RFS, including filling more than 90 percent of the category in the last two years.”

Steckel called on the EPA to strengthen its recently announced RFS proposal, which includes a biodiesel volume of 2.1 billion gallons in 2018, just 100 million gallons higher than the 2017 volume finalized last year. The industry already appears poised to exceed 2.1 billion gallons of RFS production this year, she noted.

“There remains significant untapped production capacity on the ground today, and biodiesel producers across the country will tell you they stand ready to invest and expand and hire with strong, stable policy,” her testimony reads. “However, we continue to believe the agency is underestimating the volume of biodiesel that can be delivered.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB, RFS

.@EthanolRFA: API Pushing the Same Push Poll

Joanna Schroeder June 22, 2016

Yesterday the American Petroleum Institute (API) unveiled new anti-ethanol results from its May Harris Poll. Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), said of the poll, “API, an oil trade group which has made its top priority to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), is yet again relying on push polling to foster its narrative that the public doesn’t support biofuels. With its push poll, API poll suggests a remarkable 77% of voters are concerned about higher ethanol blends.”

Today, Dinneen, along with Executive Director of the Advanced Biofuels Council Brooke Coleman, testified at the Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing’s on the RFS. This hearing comes shortly after the EPA held an RFS hearing on its proposed 2017 and 2018 rules in Kansas City. The API poll was intentionally released to coincide with the RFS comment period that ends July 11, 2016. Both Dinneen noted the strong support for consumer choice at the pump and consumers’ purchases of ethanol blends.

Dinneen, whose association coined the mantra “Don’t Mess with the RFS” several years ago, went on to call API’s poll “bunk”. He notes that it stands in “stark contrast” to a poll conducted on behalf of RFA by Morning Consult conducted last week that found not only do voters support the RFS by a greater than 3:1 margin, they support the continuation of the energy program. In addition, the poll found by a 2:1 margin that voters oppose efforts to reduce or repeal the RFS.

“API posed its two biofuel-related polling questions in a callously misleading way. By contrast, the RFA asked no leading questions. When voters are given a question devoid of prejudice, it’s amazing what happens.” Dinneen added, “the American public clearly wants alternatives to Big Oil, and biofuels can help reduce our petroleum dependence, while cleaning the environment and boosting the rural economy.”

According to RFA, here is API’s first misleading question:

‘As you may know, much of the gasoline in the U.S. market currently contains up to a 10% ethanol blend. Most auto manufacturers have said they will not cover vehicle damage caused by higher ethanol fuel blends. Given that situation, how concerned are you about government requirements that would increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline?’

RFA says…“What’s the truth? Auto manufacturers explicitly approve of E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) use in more than 70% of MY2016 vehicles, according to a December 2015 RFA analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals. But you wouldn’t know it from API’s biased polling question. There is not a single example of E15 destroying a consumer’s engine. API’s reference is so prejudicial, the result they got was preordained.

According to RFA, here is API’s second misleading question:

‘Do you agree or disagree that using even more corn for ethanol production could increase consumer prices here in the U.S. and increase hunger among the world’s poor?’

RFA says…“A report issued just last week by the World Bank and others found that biofuels from crops do not harm food supplies, and besides, corn used for ethanol comes from field corn, not the sweet corn that humans consume. API’s claim that ‘even more corn for ethanol production could increase consumer prices here in the U.S. and increase hunger among the world’s poor’ doesn’t pass muster and is another example of the desperate lengths they will go to mislead and misinform the public.”

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Kum & Go Offers Consumers the Fuel of NASCAR – #E15

Joanna Schroeder June 21, 2016

What better way to promote E15 than in conjunction with some of the fastest cars on the planet- NASCAR race cars. This weekend E15 was featured at the Iowa Speedway during the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen. On hand for the race was Jim Pirolli with Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go, who is one of the Midwest’s leading fuel retailers in rolling out ethanol fuel blends including E15.

Chuck Zimmerman was able to learn more about Kum & Go’s commitment to ethanol before the official start of the race. Pirolli said the fuel retailer has had ethanol in their gasoline for more than 40 years dating back to when it was called gasohol. In the late 1990s, they rolled out E85, one of the first retailers in the country to do so. Then a year ago they made the decision to launch E15- the fuel of NASCAR. When they decided to do this, said Pirolli, they did a lot of work with Growth Energy and American Ethanol to look at consumer preferences as well as to better understand what cars can use E15, and what drivers are going to want at the pump both now and in the future. All signs pointed to ethanol so Kum & Go decided E15 was the way to go for the next generation, higher octane, more environmentally friendly fuels.

Today Kum & Go has E85 at 200 stores and they have rolled out E15 at 30 stores with plans for E15 pumps at more than 100 stations by year end.

Pirolli said customers love E15. The company is currently doing a blue hose campaign to drive consumers to the stores. Once there, they look for the blue hose that pumps E15, the fuel of NASCAR drivers. “They see that E15 is 10 cents cheaper than E10 and they understand that it’s a safe fuel to use and that it will give them better performance, and they are filling up.”

To learn more Kum & Go’s E15 plans, listen to Chuck Zimmerman’s interview with Jim Pirolli here: Interview with Jim Pirolli, Kum & Go

You can find lots of photos from Iowa Speedway race weekend here: Enogen Syngenta NASCAR Photo Album

American Ethanol, Audio, biofuels, E15, E85, Enogen, Ethanol, NASCAR, Syngenta

New Growth Energy CEO Keynotes #FEW16

Chuck Zimmerman June 21, 2016

Giving the keynote speech at the 2016 FEW today is Emily Skor, the new CEO for Growth Energy. It is Emily’s first FEW and she gave a very consumer-focused speech spending time making a case for evangelizing to a new generation of consumer. Here are a couple of excerpts from her remarks.

The value of your contributions — creating the next generation of fuel to power our lives, protect our families, and clean our air — cannot be over-stated.

Each and every one of you here today is a part of America’s most dynamic and forward-looking industry. And I’m honored to be part of it.

In such a close-knit community, I know it might be unusual to see a new face at this podium, let alone taking the helm of Growth Energy.

But as those who know me best will tell you, I couldn’t be more excited or ready to take on the challenges we face and provide a new generation of leadership for this new generation of fuels.

As Growth Energy’s new CEO, my top goal will be to bring those messages into conversations at every town hall, gas station, legislative hearing and kitchen table in America.

You can listen to Emily’s speech here: Emily Skor, Growth Energy, Speech

You can find photos from the 2016 FEW here: 2016 FEW Photo Album

2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, FEW

#Enogen + Cellerate = 20% More #Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder June 21, 2016

The American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen took the Iowa Speedway by storm this past weekend and one of the hot topics: E15. Syngenta hosted a press conference to educate the racing media about the benefits of E15, including the amazing fuel benefits of the high octane fuel. Following the briefing, Chuck Zimmerman was able to catch up with Jack Bernens.

“We’re here because we feel really strongly about the ethanol industry, and we’re developing products to make the ethanol industry more efficient and than it already is, which it’s very efficient,” Bernens told Zimmerman during an interview. “So we’ve developed products like Enogen, which are corn hybrids that are specifically designed for the ethanol industry to make those ethanol plants more efficient.”

“The farmer gets a play in that because he’s actually producing the corn that contains the Enogen enzyme marked for the ethanol corn plant. The ethanol corn plant becomes more efficient and the unity benefits from both of them putting more in to their pockets. So we like to say the ethanol plant wins, the farmer wins and the local community wins. And it’s really all about sustainability and how do we get more out of every kernel of corn that is processed, Bernens added.

Bernens noted that his company believes that a company should never stop innovating. Quad County Corn Processors was one of the very first plants to start innovating with Enogen technology back in 2012. They had developed a process to turn the fiber into of the corn kernel into cellulosic ethanol, coined Cellerate. Syngenta thought the process was innovative and Bernens said when they looked at what would happen if they combined Enogen it became one plus one equals three. Syngenta was so impressed they took an exclusive license to market the technology. Today, the Cellerate technology is producing about six percent more ethanol out of the same kernel of corn, and when you combine it with the Enogen technology, that plant is getting around 20 percent more ethanol output from the same amount of corn.

To learn more about Enogen and Cellerate technologies, listen to Chuck Zimmerman’s interview with Jack Bernens here: Interview with Jack Bernens, Syngenta Enogen

You can find lots of photos from Iowa Speedway race weekend here: Enogen Syngenta NASCAR Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, biofuels, E15, Enogen, Ethanol, NASCAR, Racing, Syngenta

#Ethanol Moving #America into Energy Independence

Joanna Schroeder June 21, 2016

Bill Couser is a fifth generation farmer and livestock operator from Nevada, Iowa. He is also one of the founders of Lincolnway Energy, a 50 million-per-year-gallon ethanol plant, and past president of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. We heard his story during his testimony at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (#RFS) hearing that recently took place in Kansas City, Missouri.

Couser began his testimony but saying that 9-11 started everything, and he recalls walking with his dad who said that he should be prepared for his country to ask him to do things he never imagined.

“We went around to communities across the country and we built these ethanol plants and we became on the way to energy independent. And we look at what happened to livestocks and farming operations as they saw those new feedstuffs that opened up new markets and made us more competitive across the the world and across our country. And also those dollars stayed home in main street America. Look what’s happened in our small community where businesses have grown.

Being the co-chair of ARF [America’s Renewable Future] these past few months and meeting all the presidential candidates, I understand the issues, and the facts they don’t understand about the RFS2 and what’s going on.”

He added that as a farmer and ethanol producer who survived through the 80s on government subsidies, today he is proud that he is no longer receiving subsidies either as a farmer or as an ethanol producer. Why? Because the RFS is a safety net, and that’s what he expects to be able to continue to use down the road.

Listen to more of Bill Couser’s testimonial story here: Bill Couser testimony at EPA hearing

EPA Hearing Photo Album.

Coverage of EPA RFS Hearing made possible by

Agribusiness, Audio, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, RFS

Awards Kick off the #FEW16

Chuck Zimmerman June 21, 2016

The opening general session of the 2016 Fuel Ethanol Workshop produced by BBI International kicked off with two key awards. First up was the High Octane Award presented to Tom Buis, Growth Energy, by Mike and Tom Bryan.

The High Octane Award acknowledges a person who has helped the ethanol industry mature and progress over the years. This award, established in 2000 by BBI International, recognizes a person whose passion and unstoppable pursuits have significantly benefited the ethanol industry. The High Octane Award honors a person for his or her passion and unstoppable pursuits that just seem to drive their daily routines and commitments.

The Award of Excellence was presented to Charles Abbas, Archer Daniels Midland, by Tom Bryan.

The Award of Excellence, established by BBI International in 2000, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities.

I’ll be here at the FEW for the duration and will be collecting interviews to share with you throughout the week.

You can find photos from the 2016 FEW here: 2016 FEW Photo Album

2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

FEW

DuPont Launches SYNERXIA Fermentation System

Joanna Schroeder June 21, 2016

Heading in to this year’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW), DuPont Industrial Biosciences has launched the SYNERXIA® Fermentation System to assist ethanol producers improve their yields by up to 2 percent while at the same time lowering total sugar levels at drop by up to 25 percent.

“We believe that the best technology delivers performance and is easy to use,” said Troy Wilson, global business leader, Grain Processing. “The SYNERXIA Fermentation System launched today is designed to do just that – deliver better performance and take the guesswork out of dosing glucoamylase with bioengineered yeast.”

DuPont says the system includes SYNERXIA® PRIME ADYT, a bioengineered yeast paired with the world’s only commercial dry trehalase. Compared to cream yeast, DuPont says its active dry yeast requires no special storage or handling. The system also includes, says DuPont, SYNERXIA® PRIME LC, a new glucoamylase blend that delivers three times the debranching activity of conventional glucoamylase. The glucoamylase included in the SYNERXIA Fermentation System liberates more glucose for the yeast to ferment, improving ethanol yield. Additional benefits include 20-25 percent lower sugar levels at drop and full end-to-end onsite technical support.

FEW Attendees will be able to learn more about the technology during a presentation by Vivek Sharma, one of the technology developers, on the FEW Innovation Stage Tuesday, June, 21 at 2:40 pm CT.

biofuels, enzymes, Ethanol, FEW

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