RFA E-15 Ad

RFA Responds to Anti-Ethanol Boat Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

This weekend marks the end of “summer” and boaters are expected to hit the waters for one last hurrah. In an effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and growth of biofuels, the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) released a survey of Fueled with Pride - Boat Safe Fuel Rightits members that show half of them say ethanol free gas is not available to them at marinas and gas stations. In addition, the survey found that 91 percent of boaters want ethanol-free gas for their boat and more than half of the respondents claimed to have had to replace or repair their boat engine or fuel system parts due to suspected ethanol damage.

Interestingly, this past weekend, an ethanol-powered speed boat reached speeds of 208 MPH in an annual shootout.

In response, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), stated:

“The poll results are, unfortunately, a clear indication that the myths surrounding boating and ethanol continue to exist,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “The National Marine Manufacturers Association has engaged in a relentless misinformation campaign regarding E15 and, in doing so, has confused the issue. It is simply not true that ethanol and boat engines do not mix. E10 is safe for boat engines. In fact, every boat manufacturer warrants the use of ethanol-blended fuel with up to 10 percent ethanol. So boaters should not have any worries about filling their engines with E10 over the Labor Day holiday.”

RFA has made available information related to ethanol use in boats. Click here to learn more.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Nebraska Wants Clean Air

Joanna Schroeder

Kim Clark ACE 2015Kim Clark, former director of biofuels development for Nebraska Corn spoke during the recent Ethanol Conference in Omaha, Nebraska hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) about their Clean Air for Nebraska campaign. Her focus is to educate consumers across the state about ways to improve air quality. The goal of the campaign is create awareness around how using ethanol in fuels is a small step to make a big impact in air quality. She noted that there is a good number of organizations supporting the efforts.

The multi-facted campaign includes adding additional biofuels infrastructure throughout the state with Nebraska Corn allocating $500,000 to adding more blender pumps. Next, the campaign is focusing on helping consumers understand what ethanol blends are and what cars can use what blends including E15 and E85. Much of the marketing is taking place at the pump but the campaign also included radio ads. Ultimately the clean air campaign supporters hope their tools can be used by other regions and states as a template for biofuel and air pollution education.

To learn more about the Clean Air for Nebraska campaign, listen to Kim Clark’s presentation: Kim Clark, Clean Air for Nebraska

2015 ACE Annual Meeting Photos

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, biofuels, E15, E85, Education, Ethanol

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. and Maui Electric Company Limited (collectively referred to as Hawaiian Electric), subsidiaries of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. have provided additional extensive details on NextEra Energy’s plans for its merger with HEI, including a comprehensive package of 85 commitments, of which more than 50 are new, that would accelerate the achievement of Hawaii’s goal of an affordable, 100 percent renewable energy future by 2045.
  • Hydro-Québec and Eversource Energy have underscored their firm commitment to help solve New England’s energy challenges through their long-standing partnership. The two companies are working together to build the Northern Pass Transmission project, which will export 1,000 MW of hydropower from Québec’s world-class generation fleet to New England, increasing clean energy trade between the Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canadian electricity markets, a primary goal of the New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers.
  • Canadian Solar has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Recurrent Energy, one of North America’s largest solar project developers, signed an agreement with Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. Southern Power will acquire a controlling interest in the 200-megawatt (MW) Tranquility Solar Power Project in California. The project, developed by Recurrent Energy, is currently under construction.
Bioenergy Bytes

USDA Report Shows Importance of Int’l Biofuel Trade

John Davis

USDA logoA new government report says that while the U.S. is a major exporter of biofuels, it still imports biofuels in order to meet government mandates. The study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service says some other countries are major exporters and domestic users, thanks to laws there that allow greater blending amounts.

The ethanol blend wall in the United States, and an increase in demand for biofuels from other countries, helped the United States emerge as a net exporter of ethanol for the first time in 2010, with net exports positive each year since. Indeed, the United States has become the world’s largest exporter of ethanol. U.S. ethanol production and exports both remained strong in the face of falling gasoline prices in 2014 due to interactions of supply- and demand-side factors; production capacity beyond domestic policy requirements and strong export markets helped make high exports possible. In addition, U.S. imports of ethanol in 2014 fell to their lowest amounts in years.

Along with market forces, policies can affect future U.S. biofuel trade. If the blending rate in Brazil continues to increase (as it has recently), less Brazilian ethanol will be available to compete with the United States on the global market. At the same time, Brazil could continue to import U.S. ethanol to help meet its mandate. In addition, U.S. biofuel policies could affect the future of U.S. biofuel trade. For example, reducing the amount of ethanol that can be derived from corn in the U.S. renewal fuel mandate could potentially lead to reduction in U.S. ethanol production infrastructure in the long run, which could limit the availability of ethanol for exports.

The study also indicates some grave implications for the U.S.’ biofuel producers if the federal government continues to ignore the requirements under the law that created the Renewable Fuel Standard.

If the scheduled future increases in the U.S. mandate for advanced biofuel are not met by increased domestic production of advanced biofuels (and are not waived), the increase in the mandate amounts will need to be met with imports, such as sugarcane-based ethanol from Brazil.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, USDA

Boise State Wants to Run Baja 1000 on Biodiesel

John Davis

gsr_racing1A Boise State University non-profit wants to run an off-road race in Mexico on biodiesel, which the group believes will give them an edge for the win. This article from KMVT-TV says Greenspeed Research is building a biodiesel trophy truck to compete in the Baja 1000, an off-road race that takes place on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula in the third week of November.

“Right now, we’re preparing for our next vehicle, which is a biodiesel powered trophy truck. And we’re shooting for racing at the Baja 1000,” said Dave Schenker, co-founder of Greenspeed.

“A biodiesel powered trophy truck is pretty much the top tier of off-road racing that usually has a big gas guzzling V-8 powered engine in it. But we’re bringing a new fuel and a new engine technology to that event,” said Schenker.

What does going green mean, as far as performance is concerned?

“Performance is the same. The gas mileage is different. The regular trophy truck drivers brag about getting 2.5 to 3 miles per gallon. We should be getting 7 to 8, 9. So that means, when they’re pitting twice, and take 5, 10, 8 minutes to pit, we’ve driven by them. So, yes, biodiesel is a game changers in the off road world, for sure,” said Paul Robinson, an off-road racer who is set to drive Greenspeed’s truck in the Baja 1000.

Greenspeed officials say the biggest challenge in building their first biodiesel trophy truck is the price tag. If you’d like to support their efforts, check them out at greenspeedresearch.org.

Biodiesel, Research, University

PG&E Donates PHEV for Emergencies

Joanna Schroeder

On August 24, 2014, a 6.0 earthquake rocked Northern California and the City of Napa, resulting in more than 70,000 customers losing power to homes and businesses. One year later, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) donated a state-of-the-art plug-in electric hybrid truck as part of the city of Napa’s commemoration of the earthquake. The “Napa Strong 6.0/365” commemoration event recognized the earthquake response of the many dedicated first responders, PG&E employees and the community.

The_state-of-the-art_truck_donated_by_PG&EBarry Anderson, PG&E vice president of emergency preparedness and operations presented the keys to a plug-in electric hybrid pickup truck as an innovative, new tool to use during emergency response.

“As we look back today and celebrate the progress made in Napa since the earthquake, we also look forward and emphasize the importance for each of us to have an emergency plan before a natural disaster occurs,” said Anderson. “By supporting the city and first responders with new technologies like this next-generation electric hybrid truck, we are furthering our collaboration toward increasing local emergency preparedness.”

The truck, developed locally in California by Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. in partnership with PG&E, combines 30 miles of all-electric driving with 350 more miles of hybrid driving range and can provide up to 40 kVa of exportable power. This exportable power is enough to power a small neighborhood and allows first responders to plug in lighting, equipment and other tools at the site of an emergency.

The vehicle donation is part of a larger PG&E initiative to donate a series of innovative plug-in electric hybrid pick-up trucks and the associated charging infrastructure to local fire departments. The donation is part of PG&E’s commitment to operate as the greenest utility fleet in the industry, with nearly 3,500 alternative fuel vehicles, including approximately 1,000 electric and electric hybrid units.

Electric Vehicles

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Greensmith, a leading provider of grid-scale energy storage software and integration solutions, announced that it has completed its $12.3 million Series C round of financing. The round was led with a $5 million dollar strategic investment from American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, serving nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states.
  • Following Fuels America’s full page ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal last Monday and in the New Orleans Advocate last Thursday aimed at President Obama’s broken commitments on the Renewable Fuel Standard, the renewable fuel advocates are running a third version of the ad. In a full page ad in the Alaska Dispatch News, Fuels America continues to target the President to hold his administration accountable for proposing to gut the only law combating climate change, the RFS. The ad is keyed to the President’s visit to Anchorage as he tours the nation speaking about climate.
  • Malama Composites, Inc. has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label and is identified for Federal preferred purchasing for its Pacific BioFoam™ product. The label verifies that the product’s amount of renewable bio-based ingredients meets or exceeds levels set by USDA.
  • Benson Hill Biosystems announced it has secured an investment of $7.3 million in its Series A round of financing. The funding will be used to further advance its PSKbase™, a computational and systems biology-based platform that helps technology developers and breeders identify promising strategies to increase genetic gain in crop plants. The capital will also support additional field trials and other product development activities for traits that increase crop productivity by improving photosynthesis. The financing was led by Middleland Capital, an agriculture-focused venture capital firm, with co-investors Mercury Fund, Prelude Ventures, Prolog Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, Cultivation Capital, and TechAccel. Existing investors Missouri Technology Corporation and Biogenerator also participated in the round.
Bioenergy Bytes

East Kansas Agri-Energy Hosts Congressman Yoder

Joanna Schroeder

Renew Kansas hosted Congressman Kevin Yoder‘s tour of East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE) located in Garnett, Kansas. While touring the facility, the Congressman and his staff heard from EKAE’s President and CEO Jeff Oestmann about the many opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Last month, EKAE celebrated its 10 year anniversary.

(l-r) Ron Seeber, Renew Kansas; Jeff Oestmann, EKAE President and CEO; Jacob DeBolt, EKAE Plant Manager; Congressman Kevin Yoder; and Greg Krissek, Kansas Corn.

(l-r) Ron Seeber, Renew Kansas; Jeff Oestmann, EKAE President and CEO; Jacob DeBolt, EKAE Plant Manager; Congressman Kevin Yoder; and Greg Krissek, Kansas Corn.

Congressman Yoder learned that the plant produces more than 40 million gallons of renewable, clean-burning ethanol, 200,000 tons of livestock feed distillers grains and 5 million pounds of corn oil each year from more than 16 million bushels of locally-sourced corn. The Congressman was informed of the many positive impacts the ethanol industry has on the local, state, and national economies and was briefed on and witnessed the progress of the renewable diesel plant now under construction at the EKAE facility. Additionally, he also learned of their stellar work place safety with over 750,000 hours of operation without a lost time accident.

Renew Kansas thanked Congressman Yoder for taking the time to travel to Garnett and participate in a hands-on ethanol education. The Congressman is currently serving as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

biofuels, Education, Ethanol

ACE Elects Board Representatives

Joanna Schroeder

aceDuring the recent American Coalition for Ethanol’s conference in Omaha, Nebraska, members elected directors to serve on their governing board. Four individuals re-elected to the ACE Board of Directors:

  • Ron Alverson, representing Dakota Ethanol, LLC, an ethanol plant in Wentworth, South Dakota, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol per year (MGY).  Alverson currently serves as the President of the ACE Board of Directors.
  • John Christianson, on behalf of Christianson and Associates, a Wilmar, Minnesota based accounting and consulting firm.
  • Doug Punke, CEO of the Renewable Products Marketing Group (RPMG), an ethanol marketing company in Shakopee, Minnesota.
  • Brian Wilcox, from the Nebraska Public Power District, an electric utility company in Columbus, Nebraska which serves 87 out of the 93 counties in the state.

ACE members also elected two individuals to serve as new board directors.  Kenton Johnson was elected to represent Granite Falls Energy, LLC, a 62 mgy ethanol plant located near Granite Falls, Minnesota, and Mike Clemens, a farmer from Wimbledon, North Dakota, was elected to represent the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.

The full list of the ACE Broad of Directors is available here.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, biofuels, Ethanol

Ethanol-Powered Boat Hits 208 MPH

John Davis

amethanolboat1For some of my fishermen friends who claim that ethanol damages their engines, I’d just like to know, How fast do you want to get to your favorite spot? An ethanol-powered speed boat could get you there at a cool 208 MPH clip. This article from LakeExpo.com says a super-powered catamaran running on ethanol made the run during a shootout race at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

Don Onken’s American Ethanol, an ethanol-powered Mystic catamaran, reached 208 mph during a run on Saturday, Aug. 30 — it was the day’s highest speed, and it set the bar high for other racers returning to the course on Sunday.

The Shootout was held for years at Shooters 21, where the event record was set by Dave Callan and John Cosker in 2007, at 209 miles per hour. The next year, the event moved to Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill. Dave Scott and John Tomlinson set the course record of 208 there, in 2010, and Bill Tomlinson and Ken Kehoe tied it in 2011. Tomlinson and Kehoe returned in 2013 to post a formidable 224 mph new course and event record. Many thought it would be years before that was broken, but in 2014, Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis soared past Tomlinson and Kehoe, hitting 244 miles per hour in Al Adaa’am 96 Spirit of Qatar.

Ethanol, Ethanol News