MN Bio-Fuels Releases 2022 Annual Report

Cindy Zimmerman

Jeff Oestmann, Board vice-president of MN Bio-Fuels, and Brian Werner, executive director

The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) recently released its 2022 Annual Report to its members.

“As the critical need to decarbonize transportation, reduce dependence on imported oil, and save consumers money at the pump grows, the leadership opportunities for biofuels grow, too. That’s why I was glad to join with our members and supporters at our annual report event to talk about what MN Bio-Fuels has accomplished in 2022 but, more importantly, to talk about the path forward in 2023,” said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.

The 2022 Annual Report highlights include securing $6 million for a biofuel infrastructure grant program and assisting retailers in securing the grant funding and urging Gov. Tim Walz to remain committed to a regulatory solution that will ensure year-round E15 availability. 2022 also saw record E15 sales in Minnesota with October sales at 9.58 million gallons. Werner said E15 sales exceeded the 9-million-gallon mark for the first time ever in July and has remained at that level since.

Read the report here.

biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Get Ready, Set and Go to 2023 NEC

Cindy Zimmerman

The agenda is now set for the Renewable Fuels Association’s 2023 National Ethanol Conference with the theme “Ready. Set. Go!” The annual conference will be held in Orlando from February 28 to March 2 and will again showcase well-known speakers and experts, reflecting on the industry’s growth and successes of 2022, and providing their outlook on the future of renewable fuels.

As the theme suggests, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the industry is set up for success in 2023 and ready to go. “Let’s take a minute and reflect on all of the successes of 2022 and examine the solid foundation that was built through the Inflation Reduction Act, strong RFS volumes, and the work we did on E15,” said Cooper. “And then let’s look forward and look at the ways we’re going to build on that.”

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper - NEC 2023 (1:31)

Among the topics to be explored at the 2023 NEC are: Carbon capture and sequestration, new uses, consumer perceptions of ethanol, implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, and the market for ethanol in India.

Find out more at NationalEthanolConference.com and register before the end of January to receive a $100 discount.

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

Clean Fuels Welcomes Eight New Members

Cindy Zimmerman

As interest in low carbon fuels gains momentum, Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomes eight new companies that joined the association in the last year.

“It’s an incredible time for the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry as we accelerate toward our vision of 6 billion gallons by 2030,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels CEO. “With the growth in demand, we see broader and growing interest in the success of the industry. The addition of these members demonstrates the value they see in being part of our trade association and the ongoing expansion of this industry.”

Clean Fuels new members include:
DSM – a global company specializing in solutions for human and animal health and nutrition.
National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) – authorized by Congress in 2000 to provide funding for more efficient and reliable heat and hot water.
PSC Group, LLC – provides product handling services, logistics, railcar repair, and sustainability solutions for the chemical, refining, and marine transportation industries.
ROC 1954 – providing fuel, renewable bio fuels, lubricants, logistics services, and more.
Third Coast Commodities – with the combined goals of bringing transparency to the world of physical derivative commodities and reducing risk.
Magellan Midstream Partners – a publicly traded partnership based in Tulsa, Okla., that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil.
Green Plains Inc. – a leading ag-tech company using innovative processes to transform annually renewable crops into sustainable, high-value ingredients.
Iveco Group – a company with a strong presence across the full range of commercial and specialty vehicles, complete powertrain offering, and focus on advanced sustainable solutions.

Clean Fuels Alliance America, formerly known as the National Biodiesel Board, will be holding its annual conference January 23-26 in Tampa, Florida. Registration

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance

Brazil Extends Ethanol Tariff Suspension

Cindy Zimmerman

The ethanol industry is looking forward to working with new Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who has a lot of experience both being president and working on ethanol issues.

Brazil last week extended the suspension of the import tariff on ethanol, at least through the end of this month. This extends the suspension announced last March of tariffs on U.S. ethanol and several other products until the end of 2022.

“This is a positive first step toward a permanent resolution and it sends a favorable signal to the marketplace,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As we look ahead to 2023, we stand ready to work with President Lula da Silva and his administration to restore free and fair ethanol trade between our nations. As the world’s leaders in the production and use of low-carbon ethanol, we must set an example of free trade and open markets for other nations to follow.”

Lulu da Silva was sworn in Sunday for a third term as president of Brazil, starting 20 years after his first term began, and 12 years since his second ended, and he was known as a strong advocate for ethanol during that time.

Biodiesel, Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports

Fuel the Cure Raises $15K for Breast Cancer Research

Cindy Zimmerman

Nebraska fuel retailers and drivers helped to raise more than $15,000 in October as part of Fuel the Cure 2022, a campaign that also educates the public about healthier fuel options.

During October, when drivers chose higher blends of ethanol fuel like E15, E30 and E85 at participating retail locations, gas stations donated 3 cents for each gallon sold toward cancer research. Ethanol is a natural, plant-based octane booster used to displace some chemicals in gasoline which have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Ethanol producers, including Siouxland Ethanol in Jackson and E-Energy in Adams, also donated to the cause. This year, Fuel the Cure raised $15,662.99 with donations going to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha and Nebraska’s American Cancer Society.

Over the past five years, retailers participating in the promotion have helped raise more than $45,000 for cancer research, according to Jessica Sodeke, communications and outreach manager for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “We commend these retailers for making higher ethanol blends available and giving consumers a choice in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Supporting Fuel the Cure is a step beyond, because the funds are directly impacting the lives of Nebraskans.”

The Nebraska Ethanol Board, Nebraska Corn Board, and Renewable Fuels Nebraska are already preparing for Fuel the Cure 2023 and encouraging Nebraska fuel retailers who sell higher ethanol blends to reach out for information about participating. Donations to the Buffett Cancer Center or American Cancer Society are also accepted from others interested in supporting this cause, including cancer organizations and ethanol facilities. Fuel the Cure sponsors the Lincoln Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk as well. Contact Jessica Sodeke for more information at Jessica.sodeke@nebraska.gov.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Annual In and Out List for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

For most of his 35-year tenure with the Renewable Fuels Association, Bob Dinneen has prepared an annual tongue-in-cheek list of what’s in and what’s out for ethanol as one year ends and a new one begins.

This year, Dinneen presents his last end of the year list that encompasses the entire arc of his time in the industry, from the early days in the 1980s when ethanol was still just a babe, to the fully grown industry it is today.

Enjoy Bob’s final Ins and Outs list and Happy New Year to all!

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report Year in Review 2022

Cindy Zimmerman

For the first time in several years the good news outweighed the bad for the ethanol industry in 2022.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper takes a look at the year in review for the industry and takes a peek at what 2023 may have in store.

Ethanol Report 12-19-22 22:42

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.

Choose an option to subscribe

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

RFA 2023 Vehicle Survey Finds Wide Approval of E15

Cindy Zimmerman

Virtually every car maker approves the use of E15 in model year 2023 cars and light trucks, according to the results of the Renewable Fuels Association annual survey, but few are offering flex fuel vehicles capable of using up to 85 percent ethanol.

The annual review of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements found that E15 is explicitly approved by the manufacturer for use in the vast majority of model year 2023 cars and light trucks. Mitsubishi lists E15 as an approved fuel in some of its 2023 vehicles for the first time. More than 94 percent of new light-duty gasoline vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use E15. Only Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, and Volvo do not list E15 as a recommended fuel in their owner’s manuals, even though E15 is legally approved by EPA for use in all vehicles built since 2001.

When it comes to the E85 Flex Fuel blend, however, the story remains vastly different. Far fewer models are reported available as flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, that run on fuel blends containing up to 85 percent fuel ethanol. As was the case in 2022, only Ford and General Motors now offer FFVs in the United States, most of which are for fleet purchases only. For model year 2023, the only FFVs available to consumers are select Ford Explorer, F-150 and Transit models. As recently as model year 2015, more than 80 different FFV models from eight manufacturers were available to consumers.

automotive, Car Makers, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Missouri Becomes 10th State to Seek Year-round E15 Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

Missouri has become the tenth state to take action to allow the year-round sale of 15% ethanol fuel (E15).

This week, Missouri Governor Mike Parson notified EPA administrator Michael Regan by letter that he will exercise authority granted to state governors under the Clean Air Act to allow Missouri retailers to sell E-15 all year. He joins nine other Midwestern governors who made that same notification earlier this year.

Parson thanked Regan for the emergency waiver allowing E-15 sales during the 2022 ozone control season, but says relying on emergency waivers is not a long-term solution for fuel retailers, farmers, ethanol producers, consumers or the environment. “Thus, I am joining other Midwest states in seeking a permanent solution to allow year-round E15 and further reduce emissions,” Parson said in his letter. Governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin made a similar move in April and Ohio joined the effort in June.

Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper said, “This simple regulatory solution will allow consumers in Missouri to benefit from E15’s lower cost and lower emissions throughout the year. We continue to call on other states to take similar action so that the benefits of E15 can be permanently enjoyed by drivers across the nation.”

E15, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

ACE Submits Feedback on IRA Implementation

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments this week to the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on how funding in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for key NRCS conservation programs should be implemented to encourage farmer adoption of climate-smart practices.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings and Jonathon Lehman, founder of the consulting group Cultivating Conservation, provided comments to NRCS, detailing key findings from ACE’s South Dakota-based Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project currently underway.

ACE and its project partners are currently implementing the Expanding Soil Health Through Carbon Markets Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) RCPP in South Dakota to spur farmer adoption of climate-smart practices, to quantify the resulting carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits, and to help farmers monetize these gains in existing carbon markets to ensure the durability of climate-smart practice application.

“Using NRCS resources to unlock access to lucrative carbon markets is the ultimate way to maximize improvement in nitrogen losses, and the reduction, capture, avoidance, or sequestration of carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions, associated with agricultural production,” the comments state.

ACE and Cultivating are working to expand upon the successful RCPP project using IRA resources which would greatly speed NRCS’ implementation of IRA directives and has bipartisan Congressional support.

Read full comments here.

ACE, biofuels, Carbon, carbon capture, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farming