Ethanol Conference Themed Power by People

Cindy Zimmerman

ace-14-themeRegistration is now open for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 27th annual Ethanol Conference scheduled for August 4-6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The theme of the event is “Power by People” and the agenda includes sessions on new innovations in the ethanol industry, the octane and high performance potential of ethanol, overseas opportunities for ethanol producers, rail regulations and possible long-term improvements of the domestic rail system, and much more. A Retailer Roundtable entitled “Power to the People” focusing on the sale and marketing of higher ethanol blends will also be featured.

Domestic Fuel will be covering the conference, thanks to the generous support of ACE and Patriot Renewable Fuels, so please be sure to join us. This conference is more important than ever before to the ethanol industry. Find out more and register today.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Maryland Gov Vetoes Wind Turbine Moratorium

John Davis

omalleyA moratorium that would have stopped construction of wind turbines for more than a year near a U.S. military base in Maryland has been vetoed by that state’s governor. This article from the Star Democrat says Gov. Martin O’Malley vetoed the 13-month wind turbine moratorium that would have kept the structures from being put up within 56 miles of the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River,calling the bill unnecessary and a chilling message to renewable energy developers.

The bill would have delayed construction on wind turbines to wait for a study on how they could affect radar use around the base. Supporters of the bill argued it was important to consider needs of the base, a big economic engine in southern Maryland. But opponents contended it sent a bad message to businesses and harms wind farm development in Maryland.

“There are already safeguards in place to ensure that no renewable energy projects conflict with military facilities — those safeguards render this bill unnecessary,” O’Malley said in a statement.

Opponents of the bill said it would have threatened development of a wind farm in Somerset County due to expiring federal tax credits.

The governor explained that the bill would have killed a $200 million investment in the county and said it was unfair because the developers had invested millions of dollars and played by every regulatory rule.

“If this moratorium were to take effect, it would send a chilling message to clean energy investors, developers, manufacturers, construction firms, engineers and sustainable businesses that the state can change the rules at the eleventh hour,” O’Malley wrote.

Wind

Maas Auctioning Connecticut Biodiesel Equipment

John Davis

maasctbiopur1Seller of used biodiesel brewing equipment, Maas Companies, will hold an online auction of biodiesel equipment used in Connecticut. The sale includes a 1.5 MGY Biodiesel Equipment Package, along with a 250 Kilowatt CAT Cogen System, centrifuge, lab equipment, forklift, chiller, new and surplus parts. It will take place on Thursday, June 19th with the bidding ending at 5:00 pm EDT.

BioPur Inc. Was the First Commercial Bio-Diesel Production Facility in the State of Connecticut When it Started in 2006. The Plant Used a Batch Processing Configuration to produce 1.5MGY of ASTM D 6751, B99 and B100 Fuel Grade Biodiesel. The Plant Used Mainly Soy Bean Oil and Recycled Cooking Oil (Yellow Grease) for Feedstocks in a Dry Wash Process.

BioPur Light & Power Inc., Was the Next Step in Using Plant Produced Biodiesel to Produce Clean Electric Power for the Plant’s Own Use, Selling the Remaining Power Back to the Grid to Power 150 Neighboring Homes. The State-of-the-Art BioWatz Project, Monitored Real Time, Generator Production, Power Consumption, Feedstock Performance and Environmental Efficiencies. BioPur was a Recipient of Several Federal US Department of Energy Grants through the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition. During it’s Operation the BioWatz Project Gathered Over 1000hrs. of Data for the DOE.

You can inspect the equipment in person by appointment on Wednesday, June 4, from 10 am to 2 pm and Wednesday, June 18 from 10 am to 2 pm.

Biodiesel

Georgia Wants Fleet Mgrs to Get Alt Fuel Facts

John Davis

GAaltfuel1Officials in Georgia want municipal and private fleet managers to get the good news and the facts about alternative fuels in the state. The state is holding an eight-city series of events that talk about the latest in electric vehicle charging stations, E85 and B20 pumps, flex-fuel vehicles, CNG filling opportunities, and more, during the 4th Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow, June 17-26th

Registration and more information is available here.

Alternative Vehicles

American Ethanol Brings NASCAR Back to St. Louis

John Davis

amethanolflagThe roar of NASCAR comes back to the Gateway Arch as our friends at American Ethanol are announced as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Drivin’ for Linemen 200” official presenting sponsor. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), which partnered with Growth Energy to form American Ethanol, says it’s NASCAR’s first visit to the St. Louis area since the 2010 racing season.

“We’re pleased to bring the farmers behind American Ethanol to Gateway Motorsports Park here in the heart of America’s corn country,” said Larry Hasheider, Okawville, Illinois, farmer and chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. “This race provides a great way to remind race fans that they have a choice in fuel with more retailers offering higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85.”

“NASCAR has driven more than 5.5 million miles on E15 and we hope that fans will make the connection that they can also choose E15 or another flex-fuel ethanol blend, like E85 for their own cars. It’s good for the environment, performs well, and saves money at the pump,” Hasheider added.

“The enthusiasm for professional motorsports in the St. Louis region is greater than anyone could have ever imagined,” said Gateway Motorsports Park Owner and President Curtis Francois. “American Ethanol understands the power of this energy to the relevance of this community. We are working hard to build a coalition of support among the civic and business leaders in the region so that when we talk to major sanctioning bodies like NASCAR, we can unequivocally demonstrate that we have complete community support. We are grateful for their partnership.”

The “Drivin’ for Linemen 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event will be held over the Father’s Day weekend next month and broadcast in primetime on Fox Sports 1.

American Ethanol, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

REG Buys Tyson’s Share of Renewable Diesel Plant

John Davis

REG LogoBiodiesel giant Renewable Energy Group (REG) is buying Tyson Foods’ 50 percent share of a renewable diesel plant. REG says the deal gives the company full control of Syntroleum Corporation’s 75-million gallon per year nameplate capacity renewable diesel biorefinery in Geismar, Louisiana.

Tyson and Syntroleum formed Dynamic Fuels in 2007 as a 50/50 joint venture. The Geismar facility, completed in 2010, was the first large scale renewable diesel biorefinery built in the U.S.

“Upon closing, this is another milestone for REG in growing our core advanced biofuels business,” said Daniel J. Oh, REG President & CEO. “It gives us the opportunity to further expand our production capacity into new product lines, while growing our overall advanced biofuel manufacturing capability, and bringing on other renewable chemical applications.”

“Selling our interest in Dynamic Fuels to REG provides capital for Tyson to redeploy into other opportunities,” said Andrew Rojeski, Vice President-Renewable Energy for Tyson Foods. “REG is a long-term customer of ours, buying fats, oils and greases to make renewable fuel, and we hope to continue that relationship.”

The deal is expected to raise REG’s total renewable energy production, including its 257 million gallons at biodiesel plants in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Texas, to 332 million gallons.

Biodiesel

Researchers Find Better Way to Store Hydrogen

John Davis

hydrogenstorage1One of the challenges to using hydrogen as a clean fuel is how to store the gas. But an article in the American Chemical Society journal Chemistry of Materials says researchers have found a new solid, stable material that can pack in a large amount of hydrogen that can be used as a fuel.

Umit B. Demirci and colleagues explain that storing hydrogen in solids is a recent development and a promising step toward building a hydrogen economy. That’s the idea originated in the 1970s and promoted by former President George W. Bush that we replace fossil fuels with hydrogen, which can serve as a clean fuel. Although a promising alternative to conventional energy sources, hydrogen has posed a number of technological challenges that scientists are still overcoming. One of those issues has to do with storage. Previously, researchers were focused on developing hydrogen-containing liquids or compressing it in gas form. Now, solid storage is showing potential for holding hydrogen in a safe, stable and efficient way. In the latest development on this front, Demirci’s team looked to a new kind of material.

They figured out a way to make a novel crystal phase of a material containing lithium, boron and the key ingredient, hydrogen. To check how they could get the hydrogen back out of the material, the scientists heated it and found that it released hydrogen easily, quickly and only traces of unwanted by-products.

The researchers received funding from groups in France and Belgium.

Hydrogen, International

Iowa Gov Signs Biodiesel, Ethanol Measures into Law

John Davis

irfa-poetIowa Governor Terry Branstad has signed into law measures seen as good for ethanol and biodiesel in his state, a move much welcomed in an area that is a major player in the renewable fuel market. Branstad was joined by other state dignitaries, as well as officials from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) and ethanol producer POET, which hosted the signing of Senate File 2344 at its Coon Rapids, Iowa refinery today. The new law extends the state’s biodiesel production tax credit and enhances the state’s E15 retailer tax credit.

“I’m proud to sign this renewable fuels bill that received such wide, bipartisan support from the entire Iowa legislature and promotes E15, biodiesel and bio-butanol” stated Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. “I have been a staunch supporter of protecting Iowa jobs and Iowa motorists’ access to cleaner, locally-produced renewable fuels, and this bill does exactly that.”

“Today is a great day for Iowa’s renewable fuels community,” stated IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke. “We commend Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, and the entire Iowa legislature for standing beside renewable fuels, protecting Iowa jobs, and safeguarding consumer access to low-cost, homegrown biofuels.”

“We are excited Gov. Branstad selected our facility to mark the officially signing of this important bill,” said Bill Howell, General Manager of POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids. “The state of Iowa continues to be very supportive of the biofuels industry and this bill is yet another example of that support. Here at POET, we look forward to continued expansion of E15 throughout the state and nation, which will allow consumers to enjoy additional options at the pump.”

The law also defines biobutanol as a renewable fuel option for Iowans.

Biodiesel, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Iowa RFA, Legislation, POET

Forecast for Greater GHG Reduction from Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

A new report forecasts global ethanol consumption will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions this year by over 106 million tons.

global-rfaThe Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), in cooperation with (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., released their Global Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Forecast for 2014 as the International Transport Forum Summit begins today in Germany.

The annual report shows the reduction in global GHG emissions from global ethanol production is increasing. This year’s figure reveals that 90.38 billion litres of global ethanol production and use in 2014 will reduce global GHG emissions by over 291,000 tonnes per day. Compared to 2013, this is an increase of over 7000 tonnes per day in GHG emission savings.

According to GRFA, the 106.4 million ton GHG emissions reduction is equal to over 21 million cars being removed from the world’s roads in 2014, about 58,000 per day.

“We believe International Transport Forum Summit participants should call for an increase in ethanol production and use given the significant contribution ethanol is making to reducing global GHG emissions today,” said GRFA spokesman Bliss Baker. This year’s theme for the International Transport Forum Summit is “Transport for a Changing World”.

Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, transportation

USDA Renews Biomass Crop Assistance

Cindy Zimmerman

Biomass producers and energy facilities can soon apply for assistance to turn renewable biomass materials into clean energy under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

usda-fsaThe Farm Bill authorizes $25 million annually for BCAP, requiring between 10 and 50 percent of the total funding to be used for harvest and transportation of biomass residues. Traditional food and feed crops are ineligible for assistance. The 2014 Farm Bill also enacted several modifications for BCAP, including higher incentives for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and narrower biomass qualifications for matching payments, among other changes.

Farm Service Agency Administrator Juan Garcia says the initiative helps farmers and ranchers manage the financial risk of growing and harvesting energy biomass at commercial scale. “Investing in agricultural and forestry producers who cultivate energy biomass and supporting next-generation biofuels facilities make America more energy independent, help combat climate change and create jobs in rural America.”

“The potential to achieve transformational progress on biomass energy in rural America and generate tremendous economic opportunities is very promising,” added Garcia. “Energy crops occupy the space between production and conservation, providing opportunities for marginal land, crop diversity and more energy feedstock choices.”

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers BCAP, will coordinate BCAP enrollments. Information on funding availability will be published in an upcoming Federal Register notice.

biomass, Farming, feedstocks, USDA