Illinois Congressman Thinks RFS Needs Fixing

Cindy Zimmerman

fps13-shimkusHouse Energy Committee member Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) is leaning toward a legislative fix for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“The reality is the 2007 bill…was not a good bill in that it said there would have this supply (of cellulosic ethanol) which never materialized,” Shimkus said during an interview at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur Tuesday. “Because of this we have this mechanism to identify what’s being put in the market, called a RIN, and there’s volatility in that RIN pricing.”

Shimkus represents both sides of the issue in his district on the Eastern side of Illinois. “I’ve got corn growers, I’ve got renewable refiners and I’ve got petroleum refiners,” he said. “We’re going to try to fix the volatility of the RINS … but the RFS is not going away.”

The congressman expects his committee will approve and the House will move something to address the volatility and the Senate will be having a hearing on the RFS next month.

Listen to Shimkus talk about the RFS here: Interview with Rep. John Shimkus

Audio, Ethanol, RFS

Ethanol is You

Joanna Schroeder

ACE13-jenningsDuring the opening session of the 26th Annual Ethanol Conference, hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Executive Vice President Brian Jennings gave an update on what was happening in Washington, D.C. One huge issue the ethanol industry is dealing with is the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Jennings noted that the success of the industry hinges on the ability to keep the RFS in tact.

Jennings also took a moment to thank the people in the audience. Why? Because he said, many ACE members have taken great steps to advance and promote the industry. “The truth is, the most important people in the industry aren’t the lobbyists like me who do work for you. The most important people in the industry are the people like you sitting in this room.”

Jennings gave examples of ethanol plants and companies that have done great jobs of telling their personal stories and he encouraged others to become more involved. Legislators need to hear these personal stories to better understand how ethanol benefits not only rural areas but the country.

Listen to Brian Jennings remarks here: Ethanol is You

Visit the ACE 26th Annual Ethanol Conference photo album.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, Ethanol, RFS

Fungus & Bacteria Join Forces for Better Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Several University of Michigan researchers have joined together a fungus and E. coli bacteria to turn tough, waste plant material into isobutanol – a product that can be converted into biochemicals and biofuels. A paper based on this research, “Design and characterization of synthetic fungal-bacterial consortia for direct production of isobutanol from cellulosic biomass,” was published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Xiaoxia “Nina” Lin, assistant professor of chemical engineering, and leader of the research said her team used corn stalks and leaves to produce the isobutanol. Focused on creating a super team of microbial specialists, the team landed on the fungus Trichoderma reesei, an up and coming  star when its comes breaking down tough plant material into sugars. Escherichia coli, meanwhile, is relatively easy for researchers to genetically modify and the team used a strain developed by James Liao’s lab at the University of California – Los Angeles that had been engineered to convert sugars into isobutanol.

The Lin group put both microbe species into a bioreactor and served up corn stalks and leaves. Colleagues at Michigan State University had pre-treated the roughage to make it easier to digest. “If you’ve ever had puffed rice cereal, it’s somewhat analogous,” said Jeremy Minty, first author of the paper and a recent doctoral graduate in Lin’s lab.

The fungi turned the roughage into sugars that fed both microbe species with enough left over to produce isobutanol. The team managed to get 1.88 grams of isobutanol per liter of fluid in the ecosystem, the highest concentration reported to date for turning tough plant materials into biofuels. They also converted a large proportion of the energy locked in the corn stalks and leaves to isobutanol – 62 percent of the theoretical maximum.Read More

advanced biofuels, biobutanol, biochemicals, Research, Video

Biodiesel Plant in a Box Hit at Minnesota State Fair

John Davis

A cargo container seems to be garnering some attention at this year’s Minnesota State Fair. But this isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill shipping box. This article in the Star-Tribune says it’s built to brew biodiesel:

SarTec Corp., an Anoka-based company in the agricultural nutrients and biodiesel business, has developed the unit. It is a smaller, portable version of the Mcgyan technology used in the Ever Cat Fuels biodiesel plant in Isanti, Minn.

mcneff“It will allow the farmer to produce all their diesel on the farm to run all their operations,” said Clayton McNeff, a SarTec vice president and co-inventor of the biodiesel technology used in the unit and the Isanti plant.

The unit, which has been tested for about 40 days, is being shown publicly for the first time at the fair. It was developed with a $400,000 state grant, matched by SarTec.

“A lot of people have stopped by,” said David Wendorf, marketing director for Ever Cat Fuels and SarTec, who manned the unit on the fair’s first day. “We’ve had farmers. We’ve had individuals who were aware of the Mcgyan technology, school kids …. We have seen an increased awareness in renewable fuels.”

SarTec is doing some research into energy crops, exploring the potential of camelina and even looking at whether some weed seeds might make a good feedstock as well.

There’s not a price tag on the biorefinery-in-a-box just yet, but SarTec officials expect it to cost about the same as a combine and fully automated.

Biodiesel

SolarShield Offsets Cloudy Days

Joanna Schroeder

Potential commercial solar project investors have growing concerns about what happens with the sun doesn’t shine. In response to this issue, Walsh Carter & Associates Insurance Services has created SolarShield, a true performance warranty that will guarantee the minimum revenue generated by solar photovoltaic (PV systems) in the event of production shortfalls.

WC_SolarWarrantyChart“We are proud to offer the only true performance warranty for the solar industry backed by a highly rated carrier,” said David Saisi, Vice President of Business Development within Walsh Carter’s solar practice. “Unlike the others, claims do not require proof of negligence or defect on the part of the system developer. Ours is a simple policy that acts as a backstop for financial institutions that are concerned about system performance. Our policy will make up any lost revenue due to system underperformance and it names the bank or financial backer as the loss payee for any claims.”

SolarShield expands upon Walsh Carter’s existing solar product called Total SPF Solar Protection Package — which offers comprehensive coverage for fiscal risks associated with all phases of commercial solar energy projects, including liability or property damage. The company says there are several reasons why SolarShield is different than other products: multi-year policy of three years (other companies only offer renewable one year policies).; financial institution named as the “loss payee” (when there is a claim, the financier receives the check from the insurance company); and a large volume of solar business allows Walsh Carter to negotiate the lowest rates available for clients.

Luigi Resta, Chief Executive Officer of Scatec Solar North America, Inc., added, “Solar insurance is a very specialized field that requires a depth of knowledge about the many fiscal issues associated. The Walsh Carter team has proven invaluable throughout our direct involvement with the financing, construction and operation of PV arrays since our company’s beginning.”

SolarShield’s renewable three year performance warranty program provides an affordable insured guarantee. Underwritten by a highly respected carrier with AM Best “A” and S & P “A+” ratings, this program is consistent with the requirements of many financial institutions, statutory energy funds and investment groups to provide a comprehensive insured performance warranty as part of the financing conditions.

Renewable Energy, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFReneSola has announced the completion of a 2MW solar PV facility using ReneSola panels in Jamestown, California by San Francisco-based solar developer EcoPlexus Inc. The project’s energy is contracted to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) under a 20-year power purchase agreement under the Schedule E-SRG tariff.
  • GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA is donating renewable energy certificates (RECs) to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to match 100 percent of electricity consumption at the 2013 US Open that began on August 26, 2013 and ends September 9, 2013. The tournament is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens.
  • Bechtel has completed construction of the Catalina Solar Photovoltaic Generating Facility. The company designed the 110-megawatt alternating-current solar plant located in Southern California’s Kern County. The facility will produce enough clean energy to power some 35,000 homes. It was built on 900 acres and includes a 7.2-mile (11.6-kilometer) transmission line that connects the facility to the substation.
  • Genomatica has announced the addition of Just Jansz to its Board of Directors. Jansz has 30 years of international experience as an accomplished senior executive in the chemical industry with leaders such as LyondellBasell and Shell. He will provide uniquely well-grounded insights as Genomatica expands the licensing of its bio-based process technology to industry leaders worldwide.
Bioenergy Bytes

Dakota Bioprocessing Consortium Established

Joanna Schroeder

Four universities in North Dakota and South Dakota have been awarded a $6 million grant to establish the Dakota Bioprocessing Consortium (DakotaBioCon) to conduct collaborative research. The award is funded by the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The consortium includes North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

South Dakota LogosThe primary goal of DakotaBioCon is to establish a multi-state, multi-institution, multi-disciplinary research collaboration that will produce economically viable renewable replacements for existing petrochemicals. The research collaborators will use lignin as a starting raw material. Lignin binds cellulose fibers in wood and plants and will be converted into renewable chemical and polymeric alternatives to petrochemicals.

“The combined research talent at the four institutions in two states provides an opportunity to join forces to develop DakotaBioCon, maximizing research in the field of renewable replacements to existing petrochemicals,” said Philip Boudjouk, co-chair of North Dakota EPSCoR.

DakotaBioCon will leverage its relationships with existing programs and centers such as UND/NDSU’s Sustainable Energy Research Initiative and Supporting Education (SUNRISE) program, the SDSU-based SunGrant Initiative, and the SDSMT/SDSU-based Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development to achieve its objectives.

Phyllis E. Johnson, co-chair of North Dakota EPSCoR said of the project, “This project provides an important opportunity to use our research talents to create new, high-value products from agricultural waste products, thus strengthening further the largest sector of our state economy.”Read More

advanced biofuels, biomass, biomaterials, Research

Study Shows Biodiesel’s Growth in California

John Davis

biodieselcalCalifornia is poised to make some big waves in the biodiesel market… at least according to a new study from the Environmental Defense Fund and E2. This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the report profiles six companies in California revolutionizing the industry.

“Once again, California is ahead of the curve when it comes to delivering on fuels that not only protect the environment but also make good business sense to produce,” said Emily Reyna, senior manager of partnerships and alliances for EDF. “Because of the state’s commitment to biodiesel, we’ll continue to see biodiesel opportunities grow, an industry that is prime to be a leader in alternative fuels for California.”

The companies profiled in this case study—Biodico, North Star Biofuels LC, Yokayo Biofuels, Crimson Renewable Energy LP, Imperial Western Products and Propel Fuels—each demonstrate one of the six steps of the biodiesel value chain. These companies are integrating innovative practices and expanding the commercialization of low-carbon fuels with production capacities up to 20 MMgy. Some of these companies recycle used cooking oil as a feedstock, some are working to supply the Navy and oil refineries with lower carbon fuels, while others are working to assure choosing a biodiesel blend is as easy as picking up a different fuel pump.

“The case study serves as a great reminder that California is successfully producing biodiesels that are cost-effective, will reduce emissions, and provide quality jobs in the state,” said Biodico President Russ Teall. “To stay competitive and grow California’s economy, it’s imperative we continue to support the policies and businesses that are working hard every day to strengthen our biodiesel industry.”

The study goes on to credit California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) for driving biodiesel demand and growth. It also credits the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) combining with the LCFS for helping expand California’s and the Nation’s biofuels industry.

Biodiesel

ACE Unite & Ignite Conference Kicks off with a Bang

Joanna Schroeder

ACE13-ignite-and-unite-lambertyI don’t know what it is, but there’s something about the ethanol industry that gets me jazzed up about biofuels and my latest spark: the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 26th Annual Ethanol Conference that kicked off tonight in Des Moines, Iowa. The opening reception was abuzz with the latest news and contagious optimism about the industry, despite Big Oil’s efforts to block E15 and other higher blends of ethanol.

To get a preview of the event, I chatted with ACE’s Ron Lamberty, better known as the “fuel guy,” because Ron not only works with fuel retailers and the petroleum industry in his role as senior vice president, but he also owns several fuel retail stations. So if anyone knows how safe and beneficial ethanol is to consumers, it’s Ron.

Lamberty noted that the ethanol industry is battling against a competitor that really doesn’t want to compete and doesn’t feel any need to tell the truth. “We’re battling against all this misinformation,” he said, but truth is on our side and we’ve got to keep getting it out any way we can.”

He said that things are going well for the ethanol industry and they just need to ride out this full-scale assault. He believes that once consumers get a chance to buy more of the industry’s fuels, they will see they are a good thing and he doesn’t think any amount of advertising can stop the movement of ethanol.

ACE13-Ignite-and-uniteThis year’s conference theme is “Unite and Ignite” and Lamberty says the theme is near and dear to him. He said, “You’ve heard the saying, it’s not you, it’s me, well in this case we’re saying its not ACE, it’s you. We truly want our members to go out and do these things.” He said ACE has learned through doing their fly-in, that it’s a lot more effective to have people who work in the industry every day tell their story.

Lamberty says the industry needs to fight back and people need choice. “And when people have choice, they will choose us.”

Listen to my full interview with Ron Lamberty who discusses not only the importance of this year’s theme, but also the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the truth about RINs (Renewable Identification Number). ACE Unite & Ignite Kicks off with a Bang

Visit the ACE 26th Annual Ethanol Conference photo album.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Audio, biofuels, E15, Ethanol, RFS, RINS

Growth Launches “You’re No Dummy” Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

In response to the major ad campaign funded by Big Oil in an effort to block higher blends of ethanol into the marketplace (such as E15), ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy has launched an advertising campaign called “You’re no Dummy“. The goal of the campaign is to help Americans better understand that the oil industry is trying to stop the growth of renewable fuels for the purpose of protecting their bottom line.

“For too long we’ve had all our energy eggs in one basket,” said Growth Energy Board of Directors co-chairman General Wesley K. Clark (Ret.) who explained he saw it coming back when he was a Captain working at the Pentagon in the summer of 1973. “Renewable fuels are critical to national security.” He noted that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is vital to national security and “we can’t let go of the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

“The campaign we have launched today is designed to do one thing – show consumers that the oil industry has attempted to deceive them over and over again and it’s time they stop being treated like puppets by the oil industry,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy during a media call. “It is time consumers are allowed a choice when they fill up at the pump – a choice that allows them to not only save their own hard-earned money, but also spend their money on an American product that creates American jobs, promotes energy independence and improves our environment.”

“We understand we’re the little guy. We know we’re the underdog. It’s David versus Goliath,” continued Buis. “But the biofuels industry will no longer tolerate misleading information and nor should the American public. While Big Oil may be one of the largest and well-funded industries on the planet – they are not entitled to use their influence to control Congress to maintain unbridled control over the transportation fuels marketplace.”

Youre No Dummy TV adBuis said that consumers need to know they are being deceived by Big Oil and they are preventing them from having the ability to make a choice at the pump. “Our message is simple – You’re no dummy. Don’t let the oil industry treat you like one,” Buis concluded.

As part of the “You’re no Dummy” campaign, ads will air nationally on major cable news networks such as FOX, CNN, MSNBC and RFD-TV, as well as several local markets. The multi-media campaign also includes print, radio and social media.

Listen to the “You’re no Dummy” press conference here: Growth Launches You're No Dummy Campaign

Audio, biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Video