Renewable Fuels Topic at Senate Primary Forum

Joanna Schroeder

IMG_20131219_143610_334On the sixth anniversary of the signing of the expanded federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) into law, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) hosted a renewable fuels forum for Iowa’s leading Republican candidates seeking the GOP nomination to run for U.S. Senate in 2014. The seat is currently held by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin who is retiring after this term.

Forum Moderator and IRFA President Rick Schwarck began the event by stating, “The goal of the [RFS] is to reduce petroleum imports, enhance consumer fueling choices at the pump, boost the rural economy, and reduce the environmental impacts of petroleum-based fuels.” Schwarck then asked both candidates, “If elected to the U.S. Senate, would you support maintaining the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with no legislative changes?”

The legislation has spurred the growth of the biofuel industry and helped to reduce the use of foreign oil but is the industry in is jeopardy with the Environmental Protection Agency’s current proposed renewable fuel volumes under the 2014 RFS. For the first time in six years, volumes are proposed to decrease rather than increase as the statute stipulates.

The forum was held at the Western Iowa Tech Community College Cherokee Campus Auditorium. State Senator Joni Ernst, Matt Whitaker and David Young were also invited to participate in the forum, but all three candidates declined the opportunity.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, RFS, Video

E15 Arrives in Fort Dodge, Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

STAR Energy logoE15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent ethanol, has arrived in Fort Dodge, Iowa. STAR Energy is the 14th E15 retailer in the state, offering the blend to drivers of cars manufactured in 2001 or later. STAR Energy also offers E20, E30, E85 and biodiesel.

“Fort Dodge-area residents are now able to benefit from E15, the lowest-cost fuel for most vehicles on the road today,” stated STAR Energy Manager of Retail Fuels Marketing and Business Development Jason Stauffer. “For motorists driving a 2001 or newer vehicle, E15 gives them another affordable renewable fuel option with the added benefit of higher octane.”

“The addition of STAR Energy in Fort Dodge grows Iowa’s list of registered E15 retailers to 14,” noted Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Managing Director Lucy Norton. “While Big Oil claims a reduction in federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) levels is needed due to the imaginary blend wall, retailers in Iowa continue to successfully crumble this fictitious barrier.”

STAR Energy is located at 2 North 27th Street in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Ethanol Celebrates Six Years of RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA-logo-13Six years ago today, President George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), which greatly expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to become the RFS2. The goals of the new standard were to reduce our dependence on oil, confront global climate change, and expand production of renewable fuels for the security of future generations.

mess-rfs“Just six years later, tremendous progress has been made toward achieving the original objectives of the expanded RFS,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen today in a conference call marking the anniversary. “Renewable fuel production and consumption has grown dramatically. Dependence on petroleum—particularly imports of refined products—is down significantly. Greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector have fallen. The value of agricultural products is up appreciably. And communities across the country have benefited from the job creation, increased tax revenue, and heightened household income that stems from the construction and operation of a biorefinery.”

RFA has released a report that compares today to six years ago in several areas, including renewable fuels production, economic activity, agricultural impacts, environmental issues, fuel prices, import dependence, and food prices. RFA Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper outlined the findings during the conference call, concluding that “The RFS has indeed lived up to its promise in building out a renewable fuels industry, in reducing dependence on imported petroleum, in stimulating the agricultural economy – and at the same time the RFS has simply not had the impacts on the environment and food markets that detractors of the program have claimed.”

Among the more interesting points is the price of corn, a mere 20 cent difference from $4.20 season average in 2006 compared to $4.40 this year. Meanwhile, the price for a barrel of oil is up nearly 50% – up to over $108 compared to $72 in 2007.

Listen to or download opening comments and reporter questions below: RFA Celebrates Six Years of RFS RFA RFS anniversary call QandA

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

IL Sen. Todd Sieben “Retired To” Working for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

IL Farm Bureau Adam Nielsen and former IL State Sen Todd Sieben

Left to right: Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureau and former IL State Senator Todd Sieben

A good friend once told Todd Sieben, Chairman Central Bank and retired state senator, that when you get ready to retire, don’t retire from something, but retire to something. After 21 years as a state legislator, Sieben did just that and he “retired to” working on projects in his local community including helping to bring the idea of Patriot Renewable Fuels to reality.

Sieben is currently working with the Illinois General Assembly on passing legislation that would incentivize the use of E15 in Illinois. He explained that for many years there has been a sales tax incentive for E10 that enables consumers to purchase the biofuel at a lower cost. Now, says Sieben, they would like to see that tax incentive shifted to E15 and use some of the funds to help retailers build the infrastructure, such as blender pumps, needed to offer consumers E15.

In addition to this work, he is also working with Patriot to get their story out to consumers so they have a better understanding of the positive benefits of ethanol. Sieben noted that there are two stories. One is the local story focused on the economic benefits – the benefits they provide to the local producer. The second is the national story.

Patriot Renewable Fuel ethanol benefits“There is a need to tell a national story to go up against the false claims that are made by Big Oil companies or the food industry that talks about the negative things they believe in an effort to hurt the industry,” said Sieben. “So we’ve got to talk about the value of ethanol or our economy. The value of ethanol to our environment. The value of ethanol in improving our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. That’s the national picture – the big picture.”

He said that Patriot is now getting the message out in social media (Twitter, Facebook, website, etc.) and encourages other ethanol plants and biofuel plants and companies to do the same.

When asked how biofuels affects every single person in the country, he answered the number one positive effect is clean air. He said the second benefit is bringing the price of fuel down at the pump.

Sieben stressed, “We need everyone to step up and listen to this message and stand up for our agricultural industry. To stand up for corn. To stand up for ethanol. We need people to speak up and speak out.”

Listen to my interview with Todd Sieben here: IL State Sen. Todd Sieben 'Retired To' Working for Ethanol

Check out the Patriot Renewable Fuels photo album.

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Legislation, Patriot Renewable Fuels, RFS

Largest Solar Plant in Texas Online

Joanna Schroeder

What is believed to be the largest solar farm in Texas has gone online in San Antonio. The 41MW Alamo I solar farm, comprised of more than 167,000 solar panels expanding 450 acres, is the first phase of the 400MW development. When completed, the state is expected to be one of the top solar producing states in the U.S. Alamo I will generate energy for 6,600 homes powered by CPS Energy.

“By 2020, 65 percent of our community’s electricity will come from resources that are low- or no-carbon emitting — reducing emissions in an amount that’s equal to removing more than OCI SOLAR POWER SOLAR PANELSa million cars from local roads,” said CPS Energy CEO Doyle Beneby. “Reducing pollutants in the air we breathe is a no-brainer, and we’ve been pleased to partner with OCI Solar Power in our efforts to make that happen.”

The project partners say the project resulted in the largest economic development agreement between a municipal utility and private company. The partnership will bring manufacturing, 800 permanent jobs and an annual economic impact of $700 million to Texas. To date, the partnership is responsible for creating more than 150 permanent jobs and 600 temporary construction jobs in the area and the project has had the opportunity to hire several veterans.

“Alamo I is an interesting milestone because it’s now the largest solar farm in Texas, but it’s still a small part of what is to come,” said OCI Solar Power President and CEO Tony Dorazio. “Alamo I is only step one to Texas’ rise as a big player in solar.”

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro added, “San Antonio is fast becoming a leader in the New Energy Economy by combining economic development with environmentally sound practices. This solar farm expands our clean energy portfolio while adding hundreds of 21st century manufacturing jobs to the local economy.”

Another solar project, Alamo II, will bring an additional 4.4MW to San Antonio upon completion in early 2014.

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

Sullivan Solar Power Using Glass

Chuck Zimmerman

Michael ChagalaRight after receiving my Glass I got a news alert from Sullivan Solar Power about their unique use of this new technology. What timing!

So I got in touch with Michael Chagala, Director of IT, and we talked about how they’re employing Glass in their field operations. In the photo Michael is “wearing.”

Sullivan Solar Power developed their own app for Glass and now places a set of Glass on the head of their field service technicians. This means that when the technicians go out to service a client they can basically carry all the data and information on all their products via Glass going hands free which means a lot for efficiency and safety, especially when you’re climbing ladders and working on a roof. Additionally, they can stream live video back to headquarters when they need to to share and get opinions and feedback from other technical support. It’s a fascinating step forward for a technology that some folks have at first made fun of but are now finding has many applications to businesses.

Listen to my interview with Michael to learn more: Sullivan Solar Power & Glass

Audio, Solar

Methane Digesters Providing Reliable Electricity

Joanna Schroeder

Murphy-Brown, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, has announced that its two methane digesters are producing renewable energy. The methane-to-electricity project kicked off in 2012 between Circle 4 Farms located in Milford, Utah (Murphy-Brown’s livestock production subsidiary) and Alpental Energy Partners when the two companies entered into a partnership to convert hog manure to electricity.

Today, the energy produced is connected to the electricity grid and is providing electricity for residential and commercial customers in Utah.

Smithfield logo“Murphy-Brown is excited to be the engine driving this latest form of renewable energy that will allow citizens to turn on the lights in their Utah homes, while at the same time protecting the environment from greenhouse gases such as methane,” said Jim Webb, director of environmental and public affairs for Circle 4 Farms.

“On a personal level, our Milford project is very gratifying for all of us at Smithfield Foods, Murphy-Brown and Circle 4 Farms. Anyone who has observed our actions during the past decade is familiar with our commitment to sustainability. We are committed to reducing our impact on the land, water and air resources that we use in our operations,” Webb added.

Webb explained that the two methane digesters installed at Milford convert some of Circle 4’s hog manure to energy, providing enough electricity to power about 3,000 homes and businesses. The manure-to-energy project has had a significant positive impact on Circle 4’s lagoons because the solid waste that is typically stored in the lagoons, is reduced.

Brady Olson, vice president of Alpental Energy Partners said of the project, “It’s a pleasure to be part of this special project. We are thrilled about our partnership with Smithfield Foods, Murphy-Brown and Circle 4 Farms, and we are looking forward to getting this project fully ramped up and to provide another source of electricity for the citizens of Utah.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFTPI Composites, Inc. a leading global wind blade manufacturer, has announced that it is reopening its plant in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to provide cost-effective, world-class blades to the North American wind market. The Juarez factory was formerly operated as a joint venture between TPI and Mitsubishi Power Systems under the name of VienTek, but is beginning operations now to serve multiple customers as a 100% owned TPI facility.
  • GreenTech Automotive, a U.S. automotive manufacturer dedicated to developing and producing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient vehicles, has extended its strategic partnership with top Chinese automaker Jianghui Automotive Co. Ltd. The next phase of the partnership will focus on development of a 4-door, all-electric vehicle for the North American market.
  • SunPower Corp. and Fresno-based SunPower Elite Dealer Pacific Solar have announced that they are donating a solar power system to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, thanks to the first 50 Fresno area households that bought or financed SunPower systems during the company’s “Let’s Solar Fresno” campaign that launched in August.
  • The National Algae Association is calling for presentations for its Algae Production Workshop in San Francisco on February 28, 2014. Abstracts must be submitted by January 28, 2014.
Bioenergy Bytes

Put Solar On It

Joanna Schroeder

Solar company Mosaic is kicking off 2014 with a New Years Resolution campaign to “Put Solar On It.” People around the world can pledge online at PutSolarOnIt.com to put solar on a local home, school, place of worship, business, or other property. Then throughout 2014, Mosaic will provide people with the tools and network they need to make their pledge a reality.

Screen Shot 2013-12-19 at 9.53.09 AMAcademy Award nominee, Mark Ruffalo has signed on to lead the campaign. Ruffalo has pledged to put solar on his childrens’ school, Stephen Gaynor Elementary, in Manhattan. Make It Right, a nonprofit organization that is helping families in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina rebuild, has pledged to put solar on a home for a family living in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. Other pledges have come in from individuals across the nation, including from Atlanta, GA. Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Maui, HI, Pittsburgh, PA, Santa Fe, NM, and Woodbury, MN.

“I’m helping put solar on my kids’ school to save the school money and free up resources that will be aimed at their education instead of fossil fuels,” said Mark Ruffalo. “We can also demonstrate the shining future that is now within our grasp. I love that Mosaic is making it possible for all people to participate in an economy meant for all — the solar economy. We are powerful.”

The “Put Solar On It” resolution is part of significant national momentum. In 2013, a solar installation was installed every four minutes throughout the U.S. and the price of a solar dropped to 60 percent of 2011 prices, according to the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association and Greentech Media Research. The nation installed more clean energy than coal, oil, and nuclear combined, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. According to the Solar Foundation and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the solar industry is creating jobs at four times the rate of the economy at large.Read More

Alternative energy, Solar

EPA Invalidates 33.5 Million RINs from Indiana Co.

John Davis

scalesofjustice1The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invalidated 33.5 million Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) worth about $13.4 million sold by Indiana-based E-Biofuels LLC. This story from the Indiana Business Journal says while Big Oil has jumped on the announcement as an indictment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), biodiesel advocates are quick to point out this is just an isolated incident and proof that the system is working to catch any frauders.

“This fraud is disappointing for everyone, but it is important to remember that these are isolated cases from several years ago,” Ben Evans, a spokesman for the National Biodiesel Board, said in an e-mail. “Despite what RFS critics would like us to believe, they do not show that the RFS is broken any more than an isolated case of trading fraud shows the stock market is broken.”

This latest case comes as the EPA developed a proposal to tighten oversight of the RFS, expected to be formally implemented next year.

Biodiesel, EPA, Government, RFS, RINS