BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winner Is…

Joanna Schroeder June 2, 2016

And the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winner is…Smithtown High School located in St. James New York. The students beat their competitors with the winning infographic entitled, “Cellulosic Ethanol: Fueling the Future”. The student team won the Director’s Prize for Excellence in Content, Design and Social Media Promotion and have been invited to present their infographic during the Bioenergy Technololgies Office’s (BETO) Bioenergy 2016 conference taking place July 12-14 in Washington, D.C.

The BioenergizeMe Infographic Challenge is a contest for high school students with the goal of the teams learning about bioenergy and sharing what they have learned through social media channels. During the social media portion of the challenge, the infographic received more than 21,000 unique page views during 11 days.

The Smithtown High School students’ infographic, which received more than 1,000 views, details the process for the conversion of cellulosic feedstocks into ethanol and presents the associated benefits and considerations, including scientific, social, and economic impacts. BETO judges said the team demonstrated a thorough understanding of their chosen research topic and created an engaging visual representation of the conversion process.

BETO also recognized the top ten finalists from the Challenge’s social media campaign and selected the first and second place runners up: First runner up: “Algae as a Biofuel” from Smithtown High School East in St. James, New York; and Second runner up: “Energy from Biomass” also from Smithtown High School East in St. James, New York.

advanced biofuels, algae, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Education, Ethanol

#RFS Comment Period Opens

Joanna Schroeder June 1, 2016

The comment period for the latest proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for years 2017 & 2018 has opened. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed 2017 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) proposal would reduce corn ethanol volumes by approximately 200 million gallons while other categories were slightly raised, but not yet at statue levels. The comment period goes through July 11, 2016, but for those interested in being heard in person, and the EPA is hosting a public hearing in Kansas City, Missouri June 9, 2016.

Now that the comment period is open, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging farmers, consumers and the ethanol industry to begin submitting comments right away. The corn farmer organization has created a webpage explaining EPA’s proposal. The site includes various drafts of comments that can be customized by the sender as well as a link to an email address to which the comments should be sent. NCGA is also calling on the industry to apply to testify during the EPA hearing and for strong attendance as a means to get the message heard that this proposal will hurt rural America.

“We are very clear to EPA about what we want,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling. “It is simple: EPA should follow the statute. For farmers and others in rural America, this new EPA proposal means low corn prices and ethanol plant and industry cutbacks. And for everyone else, it means higher gas prices and dirtier air.”

biofuels, corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA, RFS

NFU & NDFU Defend #RFS

Joanna Schroeder June 1, 2016

The National Farmers Union (NFU) and the North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) have responded to comments made by U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) suggesting that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) should be allowed to expire in 2022. The two farmer organizations noted that the #RFS has a positive impact on rural economies, especially those in Rep. Cramer’s home state of North Dakota. For several years, North Dakota saw a major oil fracking boon. Although the industry has peaked and since declined, fracking continues in the state.

NFU and NDFU send a letter to Rep. Cramer encouraging him to consider biofuels’ critical contribution to U.S. energy independence, national security, and the nation’s rural economies. The ethanol industry “adds more than $300 million annually to North Dakota’s economy and $42.4 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product,” the groups state in the letter. However, the groups note, in recent years the RFS has not been able to perform to its full potential due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) setting biofuel volumes lower than required by statue for several years in a row.

“In light of these setbacks, volume obligations beyond 2022 are even more important, since ethanol refiners will need to make up for lost time to overcome the unfair and monopolistic chokehold on consumer transportation fuels,” the organizations write in the letter.

With the recent downturn in the farm economy, the organizations say there were especially troubled by Rep. Cramer’s advice to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Allowing the RFS to expire fails to align with Mr. Trump’s previous acknowledgement of the benefits of fair access to markets for ethanol.

“From the farm to the gas pump, the RFS has created opportunities for farmers, local economies and consumers across the country. Unfortunately, undercutting volume obligations has created an unbalanced market, favoring branded oil companies over the American farmer and the rural consumer,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “I encourage Representative Cramer to support family farmers and rural communities and reconsider his position on allowing the RFS to expire.”

Read the full letter here.

biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

ICM’s SMT Technology Proven Process

Joanna Schroeder June 1, 2016

IMC says its Selective Milling Technology (SMT) has proven its success. Today the technology is installed at nearly 15 percent of U.S. ethanol plants and has enabled ethanol plants to produce more than 300 million gallons of ethanol since its installations. ICM says the SMT process has collectively produced more than 45 million gallons of ethanol per year as well as a collective increase of more than 30 million pounds of corn oil per year. ICM cites that at current values for both products, SMT has collectively generated more than $85 million in additional revenue for these ethanol facilities.

ICM President Chris Mitchell said, “We continue to focus our efforts on developing solutions that deliver value-added product streams to the renewable energy industry. We believe our competitive advantage comes from providing our customers with technologies that deliver immediate returns for them coupled with our expanding platform technologies that we continue to launch.”

ICM explains that its SMT process frees more starch needed for enzyme conversion to sugar and then maximizes the additional energy created by targeting the particles that can benefit from it most. Plant data has identified several benefits as a result of the SMT process including: increased ethanol yields up to 3.0 percent, increased oil recovery yields up to 25 percent, and ultimately, increased revenues.

A model-scale SMT™ will be on display at ICM’s booth (#1023) at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW), June 20 – 23 taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

corn, Ethanol

Trestle Energy & Larksen Partner on New Fuel Pathway

Joanna Schroeder May 31, 2016

Trestle Energy and Larksen are partnering to commercialize a new Fuel Pathway Management Platform using biomass pellets. The platform would enable ethanol producers to reduce their fuel carbon intensity by powering their plant with biomass derived electricity. The biomass pellets would replace coal and provide emission reductions similar to wind energy according to Trestle.

Trestle notes that while ethanol plants see carbon intensity benefits, the platform would also assist in building feedstock supplies for emerging cellulosic industries paving another pathway to the energy sector’s transition to a low carbon economy.

James Rhodes, Ph.D., of Trestle Energy notes, “This initiative is a clear example of how American energy can both grow the economy and advance important environmental priorities. It promises to deliver new jobs and economic development across America’s farm communities, enhance the value of American industries and American-made products, advance ambitious climate and renewable energy policies, and measurably improve environmental quality.”

Of particular importance to domestic markets and producers, says Trestle, this partnership charts a cost-effective path for the biofuels industry to comply with ambitious climate and energy programs, such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS), thereby enabling greater access to premium regulated markets.

Johan Neels of Larksen added, “with the recent signing of the Paris Agreement (COP21), and with the anticipation of CO2 rules to advance the goals of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), our partnership with Trestle Energy gives participating producers a clear economic advantage.”

biofuels, biomass, Electricity, Low Carbon Fuel Standard

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder May 31, 2016

Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it has entered into a non–exclusive contingent fee agreement with Boundary Stone Partners, to provide financial advisory and banking services to facilitate investment in the company or a company project. As noted by CEO Darren Eng, “Greenbelt Resources is ready to develop its own projects with the right strategic partners.”
Wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources set a series of records for domestic electrical generation during the first quarter of 2016 according to the latest EIA “Electric Power Monthly” report. Net U.S. electrical generation from non-hydro renewables (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 22.9% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Output from conventional hydropower also rose by 6.5%. Combined, generation from all renewable sources increased by 14.60% in January-March 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced the pricing of its offering of $132 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% convertible senior notes due 2036 in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. In connection with the offering, REG has granted the initial purchasers an option to purchase up to an additional $20 million aggregate principal amount of Notes on the same terms and conditions. The sale of the Notes is scheduled to close on June 2, 2016, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Bioenergy Bytes

Chief Ethanol Fuels Acquires Cornhusker Energy

Joanna Schroeder May 31, 2016

Nebraska ethanol plant Chief Ethanol Fuels has acquired Cornhusker Energy Lexington, also located in Nebraska. Chief Ethanol Fuels in Hastings is the first dry mill ethanol plant in Nebraska. It is currently operating at a rate of 70 million gallons per year. Chief Ethanol Fuels General Manager Duane Kristensen is the Vice President of the ACE Board of Directors.

In response, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Brian Jennings stated, “We congratulate Chief for the acquisition of the Lexington plant which will increase the company’s total production capacity to 120 million gallons per year,” said Jennings. “Chief Industries is a diversified company with a strong reputation. We’re confident that under the steady leadership of the Chief Ethanol Fuels management team, the plant in Lexington will provide high-skill, high-wage jobs and boost conditions for corn farmers and cattle ranchers/feeders in the area.”

ACE, Ethanol

RFA: #Ethanol Plays Vital Role in National Security

Joanna Schroeder May 30, 2016

© Veronika Golovko | Dreamstime.com - Memorial day

This Memorial Day holiday, the Renewable Fuel Association (RFA) has a message for American consumers: ethanol plays a vital role in national security. While the holiday marks the official start of summer with people piling in to cars on cross country vacations and trips to beaches and pools, the purpose of the holiday is to thank our armed forces for their sacrifices to keep America free.

A big part of keeping our country safe, says RFA, involves energy security. That’s where ethanol comes in to play.

As explained by RFA: In 2005, the year the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was adopted, America’s net dependence on foreign petroleum peaked at just over 60 percent. The RFS has had a dramatic impact on our energy landscape, with net petroleum import dependence falling to just 25 percent in 2015; it would have been 32 percent without the addition of 14.8 billion gallons of domestically produced ethanol to the fuel supply. The surge in ethanol production has reduced gasoline imports from nearly 10 billion gallons in 2005 to almost zero today, displacing the amount of gasoline refined from 527 million barrels of crude oil. That’s equivalent to the volume of oil imported annually from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait combined.

“As the U.S. celebrates Memorial Day weekend, it is important we remember the whole point of the holiday,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “We thank our armed forces for their sacrifices in keeping America safe.”

Dinneen continued, “When it comes to energy security, ethanol is a key player. It is the lowest cost, cleanest-burning, highest octane additive available to refiners and it provides consumers with significant benefits today. As we are seeing, the U.S. cannot frack its way to energy independence. Ethanol is indeed helping to chisel away our reliance on foreign sources of fuel. That’s why the RFS is such an important tool in the nation’s arsenal for energy security, and must be maintained.”

biofuels, Ethanol, RFA, RFS

ABFA Represents 9.6B Gallons of Biofuels Production

Joanna Schroeder May 27, 2016

BIOX, Louis Dreyfus and The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) have joined the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA). With the new members, ABFA now represents 9.6 gallons of domestic and international biofuels production.

“We are excited to add new members to our ranks and will continue to represent the advanced biofuels industry through highly effective advocacy and leadership on the issues that matter most to our industry,” said ABFA President Michael McAdams. “ABFA is focused on enhancing and extending the RFS program to build the next generation of advanced biofuels while protecting and extending the current blenders credit for all biodiesel and renewable diesel producers as long as politically possible.”

In addition to the new members, additional board members were elected. The ABFA board elected Neville Fernandes, Head of Sales and Marketing and a Board Member at Neste US, Inc., to Chairman. And, five new representatives were appointed to the ABFA Executive Committee including Michael Whitney, General Manager Renewable Fuels, Musket Corporation; Len Federico, Manager Biofuels and Food Oils, Louis Dreyfus; Jeffrey Jacobs, President and CEO, Ensyn; Paolo Carollo, Executive Vice President, Beta Renewables/BioChemtex; and John Cummings, Vice President, Wilmar North America. Following three years of tremendous leadership, former Chairman Wayne Simmons, CEO, Sundrop Fuels, will remain as the Ex-officio member of the Committee.

McAdams added, “Today ABFA leadership heard from key personnel from Capitol Hill, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration. ABFA now has the solid context needed to head into the election year with focus and to represent all those companies seeking to make a difference in the advanced biofuels sector.”

advanced biofuels

IRFA Releases Legislation Renewable Fuels Survey

Joanna Schroeder May 27, 2016

Iowa’s 2016 U.S. House and Senate candidates show strong support across party lines for renewable fuels according to a new survey from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). The survey focused on Iowa candidates running for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to read specific candidate comments on their renewable fuel positions.

“Despite the obvious benefits to Iowa, we never take support from our elected officials for granted,” said IRFA President and General Manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel Tom Brooks. “We appreciate these candidates sharing their positions with the public and committing to an aggressive American renewable fuels energy policy. Renewable fuels play a vital role in supporting Iowa jobs, improving air quality and boosting the state’s economy, so Iowans deserve to know where all candidates stand on these important issues.”

Iowa is the country’s leader in biofuel production, and according to a recent IRFA study, the renewable fuels industry accounts for more than $4.6 billion of Iowa GDP, generates $2.3 billion in income for Iowa households and supports more than 43,000 jobs throughout Iowa’s economy.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

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