RFA at Farm Broadcasters Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

Each year at this time, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention provides an opportunity for the Renewable Fuels Association to connect with audiences around the country by doing interviews with agricultural reporters.

At the event this year were RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, VP of Industry Relations Robert White, and Communications Director Ken Colombini, and once again RFA was once of the convention sponsors welcoming members back to the Westin in Kansas City for their 80th anniversary.

RFA team at NAFB – Geoff Cooper, Robert White, Ken Colombini

Cooper and White spoke about numerous industry topics with dozens of reporters. In these interviews, Cooper gives a preview of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference coming up February 19-21 in San Diego. White provided an update on progress toward year-round E15, both on the state and national level.

2023 NAFB Trade Talk - RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 6:04

2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Robert White, RFA 2:23

2023 NAFB Convention Trade Talk Photos

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Political Expert Charlie Cook Booked for NEC

Cindy Zimmerman

Charlie Cook, founder of The Cook Political Report and well-known political analyst for National Journal, has been confirmed to headline the luncheon at the 2024 National Ethanol Conference, Feb. 19-21 in San Diego, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The luncheon will be Feb. 20 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

“Elections have important consequences and implications for the renewable fuels industry, and we are excited to welcome Charlie Cook to the National Ethanol Conference to share his perspectives on what to expect in 2024,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Charlie’s track record of correctly predicting election outcomes is remarkable, and he takes a balanced, non-partisan approach that our attendees will surely appreciate. If there’s anyone who can truly make sense of what is sure to be a contentious and chaotic election cycle in 2024, it’s Charlie Cook.”

Cook founded the independent, nonpartisan Cook Political Report in 1984, serving as editor and publisher for 37 years, stepping down in 2021 and transitioning ownership and management of the venerable newsletter to Amy Walter. In addition to lecturing, Cook continues to write his weekly column for National Journal, while also serving as a political analyst for the publication. He is also a co-author of the 2020 and 2022 editions of The Almanac of American Politics. Cook has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and ABC’s This Week. Over the years, he has served as an election night analyst for CBS and CNN.

Click here for more information and to register for the 2024 NEC.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report on Veterans for Renewable Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry has a lot to celebrate for Veterans Day – including 15 percent of its workforce.

The Renewable Fuels Association is honoring its veterans this year by launching “Veterans for Renewable Fuels” (VRF), a new program to recognize and celebrate the contributions of military veterans in the industry and provide them with opportunities to network and support one another in their careers and personal lives.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report, we hear from five military veterans who are on staff or in leadership positions in the RFA. They include RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper, RFA Board Vice Chair and Aztalan Bio CEO Jeff Oestmann, RFA board member and president of Trenton Agri-Products Tony Leiding, RFA Director of Environment, Health and Safety Justin Schultz, and Robert White, RFA’s Senior VP of Industry Relations and Market Development. They talk about the new initiative and how their military service brought them to the ethanol industry.

Ethanol Report 11-10-23 22:03

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

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Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Sustainable Education Grant Now Accepting Applications

Cindy Zimmerman

Applications are now being accepted for the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant, established in 2018 to honor the National Biodiesel Foundation board member who passed away in 2017. The $2,000 annual award aims to support student scientists dedicated to sustainable research in topics such as biodiesel and renewable diesel research, development related to feedstock production and fuel production, environmental attributes, and general energy studies.

Caleb Moellenhoff, a previous grant recipient, described his experience, saying, “This grant helped me continue in the development of a novel biodiesel process. I believe biodiesel will revolutionize the industry through its superior sustainability, efficiency, and practicality. I was very thankful and excited for this opportunity.”

To qualify for the grant, students must complete an online application available on our website. If selected, the recipient must commit to participating in the Biodiesel Sustainability Workshop scheduled for March 11-14, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. Grant funds should be utilized for travel and attendance of the workshop, with the remaining funds applied to academic expenses. Full eligibility requirements and criteria are listed in the online application. We encourage all passionate student scientists interested in sustainability to apply for this unique opportunity.

The application deadline for the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant is January 22, 2024. The winner will be announced in February 2024.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

Sen. Tim Scott Checks the Biofuels Boxes

Cindy Zimmerman

According to Biofuels Vision 2024, Sen. Tim Scott is the first Republican presidential candidate to check all the boxes on important issues for the biofuel industry.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Vice President Brad Wilson, the president/general manager of the Western Iowa Energy biodiesel plant, thanked Sen. Scott for taking the time to travel across Iowa, tour a biofuels plant, and talk with farmers. “Scott clearly understands the importance of biofuels for the future of agriculture and rural America,” said Wilson. “While Sen. Scott deserves due credit for being first, there is plenty of time for other candidates to join him in supporting pro-biofuels positions that enhance American energy security and support good paying Iowa jobs.”

Of the presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa for the Republican nomination, Scott is the only one to take a positive position on all eight topics vital to the future of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers. All seven candidates check three of the boxes – envisioning a growing role for biofuels, support for a permanent, national year-round E15 fix, and opposing mandates for electric vehicles.

Biofuels Vision 2024 is a coalition of Iowa organizations and citizens who are committed to educating candidates in both parties about the importance of renewable fuels to Iowa and other Midwest states across the Midwest.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, politics

RFA Launches Veterans for Renewable Fuels Project

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association today announced the launch of Veterans for Renewable Fuels, a new initiative for military veterans and immediate family members working in the U.S. ethanol industry to recognize and celebrate the contributions of military veterans and provide them with opportunities to network and support one another.

According to the Department of Energy, nearly one out of every six workers in the ethanol industry is a veteran—three times the rate of the national labor force. The concentration of vets in the ethanol industry is higher than any other segment of the energy industry, according to DOE.

In conjunction with today’s launch of VRF, the group’s co-chairs sent a letter to President Joe Biden, thanking him for his commitment to domestic bioenergy, highlighting the role of veterans in the industry, and calling on the administration to “fully embrace the national security benefits of homegrown renewable fuels like ethanol.” VRF is co-chaired by RFA board members Jeff Oestmann, a former U.S. Marine, and Tony Leiding, a U.S. Army veteran.

VRF will be managed by two RFA staffers with military ties. Justin Schultz, RFA’s Director of Environment, Health and Safety, will be the staff lead on the project, and Robert White, RFA’s Senior VP of Industry Relations and Market Development, will be an advisor. Schultz is a decorated combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and White served seven years on active duty in the Army, culminating with three years at the U.S. embassy in Warsaw where he assisted the Polish military with accomplishing the requirements of NATO membership.

There are already plans for networking opportunities for members, including a swift boat naval history tour as a kickoff event in conjunction with the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego.

“We are extremely proud to unveil the VRF initiative just in time for Veterans Day,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who served on active duty as an Army captain specializing in bulk petroleum supply and logistics. “When women and men in uniform leave the military and start searching for jobs, they want more than a paycheck. They’re looking for rewarding work and they want to join a team of dedicated professionals focused on a common mission. Many veterans have found just what they’re looking for in the ethanol industry, and we are truly honored to have them in our midst.”

Learn more about VRF in this interview with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.
VRF interview with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 12:18

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Farm to Fly Act Introduced in House

Cindy Zimmerman

The bipartisan Farm to Fly Act was introduced this week in the U.S. House by Congressman Max Miller (R-OH) “to create new, robust markets for American agricultural products and to strengthen domestic energy resources.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Flood (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA). The bill is intended to foster the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) within existing USDA programs and ensure SAF definitions reflect eligibility for American agricultural crops.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper expressed the ethanol industry’s support for the bill. “We applaud the determined efforts of Rep. Miller—along with cosponsors Reps. Flood, Craig, Finstad, Budzinski, Crockett, Hinson and Feenstra—to introduce this important legislation, which creates more clarity and stability around the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops. By ensuring the best available science and modeling tools are used to calculate the carbon benefits of homegrown renewable fuels, this bill helps position SAF for takeoff.”

The legislation is also supported by a wide range of agricultural organizations and the airline industry.

aviation biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, SAF

Red Trail Energy to Generate Carbon Removal Credits

Cindy Zimmerman

Red Trail Energy (RTE) of North Dakota is partnering with Puro.earth to generate voluntary carbon removal credits and market them through Renewable Products Marketing Group (RPMG).

The ethanol plant located in Richardton, ND will be the first and largest production facility to bring third-party verified carbon dioxide (CO2) removal credits from bioethanol CO2 capture and storage to the voluntary carbon market. The credits will be certified through carbon removal standard and registry Puro.earth to ensure key environmental and carbon accounting criteria are met.

The CO2 Red Trail Energy sequesters from the fermentation process at their plant in Richardton will be available as removal credits to help proactive firms achieve their long-term sustainability or carbon net-zero targets. There will be an initial offering of credits in the coming weeks. Interested counterparties can purchase the credits in a Request for Proposal (RFP) for prompt and future offtakes through Red Trail Energy’s marketing firm Renewable Products Marketing Group (RPMG).

One of the first bioenergy facilities in the U.S. with carbon capture and storage technology (BECCS), RTE began capturing the estimated annual output of 180,000 metric tons of CO2 directly from the fermentation process in 2022. The CO2 is stored locally in a state-certified Class VI well approximately 6,500 ft directly beneath the facility into the Broom Creek Formation.

Read more.

ACE, Carbon, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Industry Loses an Advocate

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA’s Robert White, left, with Brian Sowers at 2018 Crappie Masters tournament

A strong advocate for ethanol education among boaters and fishing enthusiasts has died.

Brian Sowers of Waverly, Missouri, known as the Voice of Crappie Fishing, passed away suddenly on October 31. He worked with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Corn Growers Association, and Missouri Corn Growers for more than five years helping to promote the use of 10% ethanol blended fuel in boats as sponsors of the Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail.

RFA Vice President of Industry Affairs Robert White was shocked to hear the news. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brian. He was a lifelong advocate for agriculture and ethanol, and I am privileged to have called him a friend. His sense of humor, advocacy and constant enthusiasm will be missed. The staff and members of the Renewable Fuels Association, along with the rest of the ethanol industry, send their condolences to his family and other friends. Rest in peace.”

Sowers, 60, was also well-known as a radio personality and farm reporter for KMMO radio in Marshall, Missouri. Learn more about Brian’s advocacy for ethanol over the years.

Brian Sowers obituary
There will be a celebration of the incredible life of Brian Sowers for family and friends to join and share in their memories on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Eagle Bluff Ranch, Waverly, Missouri.

If you are considering a memorial contribution in memory of Brian, the family will be establishing a scholarship program in Brian’s memory. Please make your donations to “family choice” in lieu of flowers so that Brian’s legacy can live on.

crappie masters, Ethanol, Ethanol News, obituaries, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Biden Announces Rural Investments at Minnesota Farm

Cindy Zimmerman

President Joe Biden announced new rural investments during a visit to a farm in Minnesota Wednesday.

During the visit to Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, President Biden announced over $5 billion in his Investing in America agenda, including the Inflation Reduction Act, to “advance rural prosperity, economic development, competition, and sustainability.”

“We’re investing millions in building a new bioeconomy with homegrown biofuels which will contribute nearly $3 billion to Minnesota’s economy every year,” said Biden.

Listen to Biden’s remarks here:
Biden visits MN farm 22:29

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News