U.S. Needs to Open Cars to Fuel Competition

Joanna Schroeder

Anne Korin, co-author of “Turning Oil into Salt,” and the new book “Petropoly,” gave a thought provoking presentation during the 7th Annual Renewable Fuels Summit hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Korin is the co-director for the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, a think tank focused on energy and security, that she says takes no money from any companies in the energy or alternative energy sector.

Korin Book Signing at IRFA SummitShe began her presentation by noting that over the past seven or eight years our oil imports have fallen over 65 percent to 45 percent, and yet in 2012 there were record gasoline prices. “And if that didn’t show to Washington, the people thinking about energy security, the traditional paradigm, which is only if we reduce our oil imports, we’re going to face lower oil prices. If that traditional paradigm was not proved to be completely wrong, then nothing will show it to be,” said Korin.

The solution: to rethink the fuel paradigm. The country needs more fuel choice: from ethanol, biodiesel, methanol, electrification and more, although she said the lowest cost would be liquid fuel choice. She noted that use of biofuels is not a battle the industry can win on its own and points to a bill that has been re-introduced again called the Open Fuel Standard. The bill is technology neutral. “But this bill is not getting out of the barn,” said Korin, “because the industry has not put it’s full weight and its full energy into pushing this bill forward.”

“And I would say as long as you think about your industry in a vacuum, which goes together with thinking of it as an additive, which goes together with thinking of being a big fish in a small pond, and you don’t shift your thinking to be a small fish in a very large pond and that small fish is bigger than the big fish in the small pond, than you’re not going to have the desperately needed impact on the safety and security of the United States as a whole that you really could and ought to have,” she continued.

Korin concluded, “It’s very important for the country that the ethanol industry be engaged in this fight.”

Listen to Anne Korin’s full remarks here: U.S. Needs to Open Cars to Fuel Competition

View the IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album.

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

We Will Fight For Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

We will fight for biofuels was the key message delivered by both Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad during the opening session of the 7th Annual Renewable Fuels Summit, hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). As IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said during his remarks, 2013 will be a pivotal year for biofuels. Both Reynolds and Branstad said they would fight for the future of renewable fuels in both Iowa and at the federal level.

During her remarks Reynolds noted that the renewable fuels industry supports more than 82,000 jobs in Iowa and this is growing. However, she noted, the state must have a robust and skilled workforce if Iowa’s economy is to continue to thrive. She said they are working to close the skills gap that exists in Iowa today with their Skilled Iowa Initiative.

Branstad reiterated the economic role the renewable fuels industry plays in Iowa and around the country and said they the industry must continue to fight for the truth with facts.

“There are a lot of lies and misinformation, especially on the east coast and west coast and we in the Midwest have to fight for this industry which is so important,” said Branstad. “Having been Governor during the farm crisis of the 80s I know the difference between a strong, renewable fuels industry, and when we didn’t have it. We don’t want to go back to those bad old days.”

Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Video

Muscatine Students Win Fuel the Future Contest

Joanna Schroeder

LOVE IT!

The winners of the 3rd Annual High School Renewable Fuels Video Contest hail from Muscatine, Iowa and wow are they clever. Alli Burns, Ana Arzate and Sariah Garrido of Muscatine took the top price in the “Fuel the Future” video contest for high school students that was sponsored by Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) awarded the team its $1,000 prize during the 7th Annual Renewable Fuels Summit. The video, titled “Fuel the Future” beat 37 other entries.

Second place, and winner of a $600 prize, was awarded to Sam Fathallah of Marion, Iowa for his video entitled, “Why You Should Use Ethanol 15.” Fathallah is an eleventh grader at Linn-Mar High School.

IRFA Video Winner CheckThird place was awarded to Drew Laviada-Garmon and Tiler Lemkau of Muscatine for their “Gangnam Style” spoof entitled, “E15 Style.” The two Muscatine High School seniors won $400 for their video.

“The renewable fuels industry needs to look no further than the IRFA YouTube page for its next big promotional video,” said IRFA Communications Director T.J. Page. “The IRFA congratulates the ‘Fuel the Future’ winners as well as each of the Iowa high school students who took on the challenge of entering this contest.”

So for those of you reading our blog who live outside of the U.S., let me give you a little context to the video. It is a superb spoof of an ASPCA commercial, a non profit that rescues animals, that featured Sarah McLachlan and her hit song “In the Arms of the Angels”.

You can watch all of the videos that were submitted at IRFA’s YouTube channel.

IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Video

Amyris Ships First Product

Joanna Schroeder

240617Amyris has shipped it first commercial product from its plant in Brazil. The facility was the company’s first purpose-built industrial fermentation facility and produces Biofene, the company’s brand of renewable farnesene, to be used in a range of specialty chemical and fuel applications.

“This initial shipment marks the successful completion of our start-up activities. We have operated multiple tanks without contamination or surprises through several production runs during the first month of operation,” said John Melo, President and CEO of Amyris.

“We are now focused on ramping up Biofene production and delivering product to our customers, from renewable diesel for bus fleets in Brazil to squalane emollient globally and soon a range of specialty chemical applications,” Melo concluded.

Amyris’s Biofene plant in Brotas, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, sources its sugarcane feedstock locally from the Paraíso mill. Prior to the start-up of this facility, Amyris relied solely on contract manufacturing for commercial production.

advanced biofuels, biochemicals, Brazil

Biofuel Industry Responds to RIN Integrity Proposal

Joanna Schroeder

biodiesel_and_ethanol_fuel_pumps_at_retail_fuel_station_e85__e10_ethanol_b5_b20_biodiesel_mind_J53-1369484The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed rules for the 2013 Renewable Fuels Standard yesterday. A portion of the proposal focused on dealing with Renewable Identification Number (RIN) fraud. Last year, several individuals were indicted for committing fraud by selling fake biodiesel RINS. The proposal is open for comment until March 19, 2013 and the industry is just now beginning to review and digest what it entails.

“While we are still reviewing the details, this proposal appears to be another positive step toward ensuring that RIN fraud is a thing of the past,” said Anne Steckel, National Biodiesel Board’s vice president of federal affairs. “We want to thank the EPA for working aggressively to address this issue and for proposing constructive solutions that will restore confidence in RIN markets.”

Steckel continued, “This problem was caused by a handful of wrongdoers who took advantage of a good policy for advancing America’s energy security. Two of those people are now facing significant prison time, and that enforcement along with these tightened regulations will go a long way toward preventing anything like this from happening again.”

The organization intends to continue working cooperatively with the EPA and our partners in the petroleum sector in bringing this issue to closure.

While the fraud cases were around biodiesel RINS, the EPA proposed rules addresses fraud across all renewable fuel sectors of the RFS. This includes ethanol RINS and cellulosic RINS. Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy said, “We are pleased to see that EPA is moving forward with a voluntary program to address the concerns raised about the integrity of RINS in the RFS program. We look forward to reviewing the proposal and will work with EPA to ensure that the program is successful.”

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Growth Energy, NBB, RFS

Bioenergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFNovozymes has acquired Iogen Bio-Products, industrial enzyme business of Ottawa-based Iogen Corporation for CAD 67.5 million and potential earn-out payments of up to CAD 12.5 million.
  • IKEA has “plugged-in” the solar energy system installed at its South Florida store in the City of Sunrise, which will be the largest solar installation in South Florida and, when combined with IKEA projects already completed atop stores in Orlando and Tampa, will make IKEA the state’s largest non-utility solar owner.
  • SunPower Corp. has announced a new program with U.S. Bancorp, the SunPower Lease program, to expand financing options available to homeowners interested in high-efficiency SunPower solar power systems. Two to three thousand homes are expected to benefit from the new program.
  • Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. has completed a 3.5 megawatt ground mounted solar PV system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The system is owned by Saudi Aramco and was  installed on the grounds of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center.
  • GlobalData has released the new report, “Offshore Wind Power – Global Market Size, Average Installation Price, Regulations, Market Share and Key Country Analysis to 2020.”
  • Solar 2013 has announced its line-up for speakers including Bill McKibben, author and founder of 350.org and Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Click here for the full agenda.
Bioenergy Bytes

DF Cast: Wind Energy Tax Credit Welcomed in Iowa

John Davis

Probably no one in the country was more pleased to see the renewal of the wind energy production tax credit than the folks in Iowa, a place that has become a real leader nationwide in wind energy. During the recent Iowa Wind Energy Day, officials and advocates for wind energy expressed their appreciation for the extension… and the hope that it could become more permanent to give more stability to the green industry.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we hear from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, President of the Board for the Iowa Wind Energy Association Kathy Law and Executive Director of Iowa Wind Energy Association Harold Prior as they talk about what wind power has meant to their state and what potential it holds for the entire country… especially the rural areas.

You can listen to the Domestic Fuel Cast here: Domestic Fuel Cast - Wind Energy PTC Passes

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

And check out Joanna’s 2013 Iowa Wind Energy Day Photo Album.

Audio, Domestic Fuel Cast, Government, Wind

Biodiesel Industry Supportive of 2013 RFS Proposal

Joanna Schroeder

NBB-logo1The biodiesel industry is indicating is support today for the proposed rules from the EPA establishing this year’s advanced biofuels requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFs). In response, Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), thanked the EPA and the Obama administration for standing strong behind the advanced biofuels standards. She indicated that the U.S. biodiesel industry is ready to meet these requirements, which means reduced greenhouse gas emissions, a better economy and more domestic fuel choices for consumers.

“With plants across the country and more than a billion gallons of production last year, the U.S. biodiesel industry is already the leading producer of Advanced Biofuels in the country, accounting for more than 80 percent of required production to date,” Steckel continued. “The industry is adding new feedstocks and building capacity every year, and this policy will only help us continue that growth.”

For 2013, the EPA’s proposal calls for an overall advanced biofuel requirement of 2.75 billion gallons. Within that total, explained Steckel, the biomass-based diesel requirement – which has already been finalized and was not a part of today’s announcement – is 1.28 billion gallons. Refiners have the option of using biodiesel or other EPA-designated advanced biofuels to help fill the remaining overall advanced biofuel pool, and many experts are predicting that biodiesel will play an increasing role in doing so this year.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB, RFS

EPA Releases Proposed Rule for 2013 RFS Obligations

Joanna Schroeder

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released it proposed rules today for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumetric requirements. Public comment is open until March 19, 2013. The proposal waives the cellulosic biofuel requirement from one billion gallons to 14 million gallons, but retains overall advanced and renewable fuel requirements.

rfa-logo-09The ethanol industry responded today with statements and Bob Dinneen, the president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association said, “The 2013 RFS requirements will be the catalyst that finally compels oil companies to get serious about breaching the so-called blend wall. This year’s RFS requirements will necessitate the use of more E15, E85 and other higher-level blends. Injecting larger volumes of biofuels into the U.S. fuel supply and spurring a more rapid transition to domestically produced renewables is exactly what the RFS was intended to do. The program is working as envisioned by Congress.”

ace logoBrian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) noted that his organization is concerned, as our other ethanol organizations, about the way the advanced biofuel pool serves as a magnet for imports of Brazilian ethanol. “We appreciate EPA providing us the opportunity to elaborate on this concern and look forward to continuing the dialogue on how to ensure Brazilian imports don’t displace domestic ethanol. The RFS is a catalyst for technology innovation and we believe 2013 will deliver key breakthroughs for U.S. grain sorghum based advanced biofuel and cellulosic biofuel. We look forward to providing additional comments during the 45 day comment period,” said Jennings.

Growth_Energy_logo-1Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said there are a number of issues that should be considered, which could have serious impacts on the U.S. production of biofuels. “The RFS has been a resounding success, helping create jobs in America that cannot be outsourced, revitalizing rural economies across the country in addition to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and providing consumers with a choice and savings at the pump,” he added.

aeclogoOne of the elements of the proposal waives the cellulosic biofuel requirement from one billion gallons to 14 million gallons. Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Ethanol Council said that the EPA’s is getting to right number on cellulosic biofuels and noted that the industry is just breaking through at commercial scale. ” U.S. EPA worked hard to ensure that the cellulosic biofuels volume standard for 2013 would be tied directly to the commercial production of cellulosic biofuels expected to come online this year. While weaning the United States off of its addiction to foreign oil is not easy, the volume standards proposed today will continue to provide advanced biofuel investors and innovators with a predictable and durable path forward in that effort.”

In conclusion, the industry representatives said they look forward to working together to finalize the targets.

ACE, advanced biofuels, AEC, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Renewable Energy, RFA

General Wesley Clark Rallies The Troops

Chuck Zimmerman

General Wesley Clark Growth Energy AG CONNECT ExpoAt today’s U.S. Custom Harvesters luncheon, sponsored by New Holland, retired General Wesley Clark, co-chairman of Growth Energy, took the stage. The organization is holding their 30th annual convention which is co-located with the 2013 AG CONNECT Expo in Kansas City, MO.

Gen. Clark says his passion was the military and now his passion is national energy security and the move away from dependence on foreign oil. I have recorded his remarks for you to listen to or share below.

You can listen to or download General Clark’s remarks here: General Wesley Clark Remarks

I am attending this week’s show and sharing stories on AgWired.com and PrecisionPays.com.

2013 AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy