Save the Date for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Joanna Schroeder

2016-Summit-LogoMark your calendar for the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit taking place Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at The Meadows Conference Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. Hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), the event is free and open to the public.

“Our 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is set to be bigger and better than ever,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “With so much discussion over the Renewable Fuel Standard, and with the Iowa Caucuses right around the corner, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will be a great place to learn and engage on the latest renewable fuels issues.”

Although the Summit is free, registration is required and now open. Click here to learn more about the event, to register and to obtain information about sponsorship and trade show opportunities.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

ACE Ads Feature RFS Success Stories

Joanna Schroeder

As the deadline for the final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rules nears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is promoting members with RFS success stories in Washington, D.C.  One such story is being featured in Morning Consult’s daily energy brief and another in the November 18, 2015 edition of The Washington Post.

Delayne Johnson WaPo AdOne story features Delayne Johnson, CEO of Quad County Corn Processors and other features Jeff Oestmann, CEO of East Kansas Agri-Energy. Both are part of ACE’s Power by People campaign, an initiative that highlights people in the ethanol industry who are doing extraordinary things for the economy and the environment.

“ACE’s ads draw attention to the milestones that East Kansas Agri-Energy and Quad County Corn Processors have achieved in advanced and cellulosic biofuel thanks to the RFS, evidence that should help the Obama Administration stand strong on RFS blending volumes instead of caving into oil company demands,” said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of ACE.

Jeff Oestmann WaPo AdMorning Consult’s daily energy brief is read by more than 41,000 subscribers inside and out of the Beltway and ACE’s advertisement runs today through November 23. In addition, ACE is sponsoring a “cover wrap” print ad in copies of The Washington Post delivered to Capitol Hill on November 18. The print ad is available on the ACE website.

During the month of November, ACE’s social media platforms are also showcasing people from all walks of life, including retailers and consumers, who benefit from a strong RFS using videos, infographics, and profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and featuring hashtags #RFSWorks, #PowerByPeople, and #RFSOnward.

ACE, biofuels, Education, Ethanol, RFS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Greenbelt Resources Corporation has been nominated to receive a 2015 Patrick Soon-Shiong Innovation Award. Founded in partnership with Los Angeles Business Journal in 2010, the honors are awarded annually on the basis of accomplishment in a range of fields. The 2015 event, “Patrick Soon-Shiong Innovation Symposium and Awards,” will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on November 18, 2015.
  • Biomass Supplies (Pvt) Ltd, based in Sri Lanka, is producing biomass from branches pruned from live fences of Gliricidia trees. The company, which works with 30,000 small farmers who have planted 60 million new trees, is the first smallholder project to earn RSB certification in South East Asia.
  • Green Plains Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of an ethanol facility located in Hereford, Texas. The Hereford facility is the company’s fourteenth ethanol plant, bringing Green Plains’ total production capacity to more than 1.2 billion gallons per year. The company expects to offer the facility’s transportation and storage assets to its master limited partnership, Green Plains Partners LP.
  • Plug Power Inc. has announced it has been named to Deloitte’s 2015 Technology Fast 500, a listing of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Plug Power revenue grew 132 percent during the period from 2011 to 2014.
Bioenergy Bytes

10K New U.S. Clean Energy Jobs in Q3

Joanna Schroeder

According to the latest Clean Energy Jobs report from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), there were almost 10,000 new clean energy jobs announced during the third quarter (Q3) this year. The top three states for the quarter were: Utah (2,950 jobs announced), California (1,916) and Colorado (850). Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Maine, Nebraska, Mississippi and North Dakota rounded out the top 10. So far this year, about 30,000 clean energy jobs have been announced.

E2 3rd Quarter Clean Jobs ReportThe top clean energy sector was solar with nearly 7,000 jobs at 23 projects in power generation or manufacturing. The wind energy industry came next with approximately 2,500 jobs across 11 projects.

“Clean energy continues to put more Americans to work every day all across our country,” said Bob Keefe, E2’s executive director. “We can keep that growth going – but only if our state and federal lawmakers take action on the clean energy policies now before them.”

Keefe said the report suggests Congress could stimulate even more economic activity in clean energy through the passage of long-term federal tax incentives. These incentives assist in putting clean energy industries along with energy efficiency at a more level playing field with fossil fuel industries.

In addition, Keefe said the report highlights a how states can send a clear market signal to the private sector to increase investments, and create more jobs, by implementing the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The report notes that smart implementation of the Clean Power Plan by states – along with strong “subnational” clean energy policies in states like California – will help the U.S. meet its climate goals and show leadership as nearly 200 countries prepare to convene at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris next month.

“Here at home, the Clean Power Plan gives us a clear roadmap for creating good clean energy jobs,” said RJ Harrington, president and CEO of Sustainable Action Consulting near Denver. “Overseas, it solidifies America’s reputation as the global hub of innovative, entrepreneurial clean energy business activity.”

Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Solar, Wind

Broin Resumes Role as POET CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

poet-broinPOET founder Jeff Broin announced last week that he has resumed his role as the company’s CEO after serving as Executive Chairman for over three years.

“A few years ago, I wanted to slow down a bit, be less involved in the affairs of POET and have time to do other things and spend more time with my family,” Broin said. “In the last few years I have been able to work on broader industry and ag issues, get our new foundation – Seeds of Change – up and running and support several third-world causes. However, I also found myself continuing to work regularly on company issues. The fact is, my passion and love for this company, our industry, agriculture and the people I work with is just too great. I guess you could say my heart has always been in this company. We have so many great opportunities in front of us to change the world, and I think I can be of most value moving forward by serving as CEO,”

Jeff Lautt has been CEO and will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of POET as President and Chief Operating Officer. “No one is more passionate about this company and industry than Jeff Broin. This business is in his blood,” said Lautt.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Biodiesel Conference Builds Power from Knowledge

John Davis

NBB2016The old saying “knowledge is power” certainly applies to the upcoming National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, Jan. 25-28, 2016, in Tampa. Conference organizers promise expert speakers on forecast markets, explanation of new regulations, and discussions of tax incentives. Among the spotlight sessions: “Anatomy of the RFS Rule: What the New EPA Rule Does and What it Means for Biodiesel.”

It’s still in flux today, but by conference time we will have the latest Renewable Fuel Standard volumes as well as in-depth analysis about how it may affect you and your business. Our team of experts will review what’s in the final rule and look ahead to what it means for biodiesel’s future under the program. We’ll break down the politics shaping the EPA’s decisions and the likelihood of RFS changes moving forward, whether in Congress or under a new Administration.

More information and registration is available here.

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

BDI – BioEnergy to Build UK Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

BDIAustrian-based BDI – BioEnergy International will build a new biodiesel plant in the U.K. This news release from the company says the plant is part of of a larger project by the company also constructing an industrial-sized algae plant.

BDI – BioEnergy International AG developed a new process for the production of high valuable products from algae in its in-house research and development department. The newly founded 100 percent subsidiary “BDI – BioLife Science GmbH”, now invests in the construction of an own production plant at the location in Hartberg/Steiermark.

The implementation of the follow-up order of an existing client in the UK was successfully started. The BioDiesel project for the same client – for the treatment of commercial and industrial waste fats – which has been started beginning of the year is already in the installation phase. The BioGas plant built in Austria for the Heineken Group is currently undergoing its biological start-up. In addition, the BioGas plant in Poland is close to completion.

algae, Biodiesel, International

AUFC: Quit Doing Polluters’ Dirty Work

Joanna Schroeder

The Republican Attorneys General Association is meeting this weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona for its fall meeting and Americans United for Change (AUFC) is calling on its members to stop doing polluters’ dirty work. Rather, AUFC is encouraging Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and others to embrace the economic and health benefits of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP).

© Joostverbeek | Dreamstime.com - Dirty Smoke Stack Of Coal Fired Power Plant Photo

© Joostverbeek | Dreamstime.com – Dirty Smoke Stack Of Coal Fired Power Plant Photo

Several weeks ago AUFC released a video designed to expose dirty energy’s influence in the states that joined the lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The video claims that Republican Attorneys Generals who signed on have received more than $2.4 million from the dirty energy sector in the last two election cycles. AUFC says that while the court of public opinion acknowledges climate change, big polluters are hoping to win in the court of law. However, precedent shows otherwise; the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld EPA’s authority to take action to limit carbon pollution three times.

AUFC cites the CPP will save American’s money on their energy bills, lower health costs for asthma, lung cancer and other air pollution-related diseases and lead to 250,000 new jobs.

Brad Woodhouse, president, AUFC said, “Some might call it a coincidence that the Republicans Attorneys General who’ve taken tens of thousands of dollars from dirty energy interests are the same ones filing lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan, but I’d call it a serious conflict of interest and a breach of the public trust. When a state Attorney General chooses to serve as part of dirty energy’s unofficial defense team, who is left looking out for the public interests? The American people did not vote for a corporate takeover of Congress – but that’s exactly what they’re getting. Nearly half of all Americans live in areas where the air is unsafe to breathe, making the Clean Power Plan a breathe of fresh air for communities across the country. If you’re a public servant standing in the way of that, maybe it’s time to consider a clean break from your dirty energy friends. Read More

Americans United for Change, Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, EPA

Trump Tours Iowa Ethanol Plant

Joanna Schroeder

P1000220Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump toured the POET Biorefining ethanol plant in Gowrie, Iowa last night to learn more about ethanol production and the role ethanol plays in the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). While onsite, he also visited with POET’s President James Moe along with America’s Renewable Future (ARF) Co-Chairs Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Bill Couser. Earlier this week, ARF released its Mid-term Report Card giving Trump a “Good Rating”.

“We want to thank Mr. Trump for his continued support for this industry and for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Judge. “He has shown that he is committed to Iowa’s farmers and to American entrepreneurship which has paved the way for making America cleaner, stronger, and more secure through the RFS.”

ARF is committed to both educating presidential candidates about the benefits of biofuels and the success of the RFS. In addition, they are publishing candidates’ views on these issues so voters who are concerned about energy issues understand the candidates’ positions prior to election day. According to ARF, Trump’s latest comments and show of support at the POET plant solidifies his standing with ARF and will earn him praise from the organization.

“It’s great for the country. I’m with you one hundred percent,” Trump said about the RFS to a crowd of POET employees and RFS supporters during his remarks.

biofuels, Education, Ethanol, politics, RFS

Ethanol Report on the RFS and COP21

Cindy Zimmerman

ethanol-report-adThe Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry this week urging him to highlight the role of the Renewable Fuel Standard in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions as he prepares to head to the international climate conference COP21 in Paris.

nafb-rfa-cooperAt the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper talked about the importance of the United States promoting biofuels as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the conference, how successful the RFS has been, the U.S. corn crop, and much more.

Listen to this edition of the Ethanol Report here: Ethanol Report on the RFS and COP21

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Government, International, RFS