American Ethanol Continues Support of Austin Dillon

Joanna Schroeder

American Ethanol will be continuing its partnership with Richard Childress Racing and driver Austin Dillon, who won Rookie of the Year last year, for the 2013 NASCAR season. Dillon will race the No. 33 American Ethanol Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway on June 16 and will drive a RCR-fielded entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Eldora Speedway on July 24 with an American Ethanol paint scheme.

“We want to show the people coast-to-coast there is a great alternative to imported oil and our association with NASCAR and RCR is doing that extremely well,” said Jon American Ethanol Car photo credit Chuck ZimmermanHolzfaster, a Paxton, NE farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s NASCAR Advisory Committee. “Ethanol is also responsible for bringing a rural renaissance from Main Street to the family farm.”

In addition to the races mentioned above, American Ethanol, a program that seeks to expand consumer awareness of the benefits of ethanol and E15, will be an associate sponsor of Dillon’s No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Feb. 23, and Honey Nut Cheerios No. 33 car in the Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

“American Ethanol is extremely pleased to once again partner with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress and the entire RCR team to help promote a sustainable homegrown American fuel that is better for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and creates jobs right here in the U.S., while revitalizing rural economies across America,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

As part of the sponsorship, Dillon has become and official spokesperson for American Ethanol. “It feels good to be able to help spread the news about American Ethanol and encourage every American to run the fuel of the future, American Ethanol, in their personal vehicles,” said Dillon. “If American Ethanol can withstand the rigors of NASCAR, it can withstand everyday driving. Homegrown biofuels like American Ethanol have stepped up to help our nation’s economy, and are proving to be a better fuel. I am proud to wear the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR and I hope I can bring them to Victory Lane in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2013.”

American Ethanol, E15, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

TRANSCAER Honors RFA’s Missy Ruff

Joanna Schroeder

Missy Ruff, Market Development Manager with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), was recognized by the TRANSCAER Executive Committee for a 2012 TRANSCAER Individual Recognition for her successful efforts to plan, organize and implement TRANSCAER training dedicated to safe handling of ethanol and awareness response training for emergency responders across the U.S. More specifically, the award is given to an individual or company who has gone beyond the normal call of duty to advocate, demonstrate and implement TRANSCAER’s principles, Missy Ruffenhance their public recognition and increase participation in their programs.

“Missy’s dedication and commitment to ensuring that our emergency responders from across the U.S. are trained on the safe response to ethanol is impressive,” said Donna Lepik, Staff Executive, TRANSCAER. “The TRANSCAER Awards program allows us to acknowledge and thank our dedicated volunteers for their truly remarkable accomplishments, demonstrated through their continuous efforts to ensure communities are prepared to deal with possible hazardous materials transportation related incidents.”

For more than five years, Ruff has worked to expand ethanol infrastructure around the country. She has helped retailers understand the benefits of blending mid-level and higher blends of ethanol and has played an important role in the increasing number of E85 and blender pumps across the country. She also works with first responders to ensure their safety and the safety of communities, by teaching them how to handle ethanol should an accident occur.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from TRANSCAER,” said Ruff. “Safety is a priority in the ethanol industry. Educating and preparing first responders on how to properly respond to ethanol emergencies is extremely important for their own safety and for the communities they protect.”

biofuels, Ethanol, RFA

UPS Adds Solar to Distribution Facilities

Joanna Schroeder

UPS Parsippany solar projectUPS is adding solar power to its distribution facilities located in Parsippany, New Jersey and Secaucus, New Jersey.  The 1.2 megawatt Parsippany project was completed in the fall of 2012 and the 1.2 megawatt Secaucus project is planned for completion in the spring of 2013. These projects will expand UPS’s solar power generating capacity from 360 kilowatts to 2,760 kilowatts and will produce in excess of 3 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy per year.

UPS says the projects are part of its continued sustainability initiatives and decided to finance and build its own solar projects following a drop in solar panel installation costs, continued improvements in the technology and the availability of supportive government incentives.

“Federal and state government incentives encouraged our investments in solar energy sources,” said Steve Leffin, director of global sustainability at UPS. “We develop, engineer, own and operate our solar capacity, which is a departure from contracted power-purchase agreements in which a company pays a solar power provider for a set price of electricity for 20 years. Under this arrangement, we not only benefit at UPS, but can also help community power grids by providing a hedge against possible energy price hikes during peak usage times.”

New Jersey has also established incentives for the generation of renewable power that serve as a catalyst for businesses to adopt renewable energy.  The state is currently second in the U.S. for total installed capacity of solar energy technology.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Bioenergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFSolectria Renewables has announced today that SolarOne Financial, has chosen their Solectria’s PVI 60-95KW inverters to power the 1.2MW solar PV installation at Fleamasters Market in Fort Myers, Florida.
  • Genomatica and DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company, LLC have announced the first successful commercial- scale production of 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) using a bio-based manufacturing process.
  • CalCharge and San Jose State University (SJSU) are teaming up to launch a “battery university” in the high-tech capital of the world  – Silicon Valley. Battery university courses—to be offered through SJSU’s professional education program—will educate a specialty workforce needed now for the rapidly growing battery industry. Classes are expected to start this summer in partnership with SJSU’s engineering college, which produces more engineering professionals to Silicon Valley than any other university.
  • According to the report, “Reaching for the Sun: How San Antonio and Austin are showing that solar is a powerful energy option for Texas,” sponsored by Environment Texas Research & Policy Center, the Metroplex, Dallas and Fort Worth, lag behind in solar power. The report finds there are 972 kilowatts (KW) of solar energy that have been installed in Fort Worth and 1,243 KW in Dallas, in part from incentives from the local utility Oncor. The report  finds that the municipally owned utilities in the two cities installed four times more solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity than the rest of Texas combined or 85 percent of the state total. The report credits the cities’ strong policies that encourage solar power on residences and businesses, and in utility-scale installations.
  • E2 Technologies (E2T), a joint venture between the University of Dayton Research Institute and Concurrent Technologies Corporation has been awarded a five-year Air Force Research Laboratory contract with a $99 million ceiling for research, testing and transition of new energy and environmental technologies to the Air Force and other Department of Defense agencies. The contract included an initial award of $1.5 million for evaluation, testing and installation of advanced renewable energy storage and management technologies at the Maui High Performance Computing Center.
  • Real Goods Solar has appointed Tony DiPaolo as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding interim CFO Angy Chin who will remain in an advisory role during the transition. DiPaolo previously served as president and chief financial officer of Incentra Solutions (now Presilient).
Bioenergy Bytes

Anacaho Wind Farm Dedicated

Joanna Schroeder

Anacacho Wind FarmE.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) has officially dedicated its new Anacacho Wind Farm. The project, located in Kinney County, Texas, is approximately 14 miles southeast of Brackettville and consists of 55 Vestas 1.8 megawatt (MW) turbines providing 100 MW of power. Anacacho Wind Farm began commercial operation in December.

“We are honored to be a part of the local community and we look forward to providing economic support and renewable, homegrown energy for many years to come,” said Steve Trenholm, CEO, EC&R North America. “Wind farms create jobs, and provide an economic shot in the arm to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across America.”

The company says it has invested more than $5 billion dollars in the U.S. in the last five years. Locally, this project will contribute more than $17 million in local taxes, while paying $8 million in local salaries and more than $34 million to landowners. This is the company’s 18th operational wind farm in North America.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Wind

“Airnasium” Takes School Off Grid

Joanna Schroeder

A new “airnasium,” or solar panel-lined roof on a metal structure constructed by Allied Steel Buildings has helped take the Virgin Islands Montessori School and International Academy off the electrical grid. The school is located in St. Thomas and is the only school in the territory completely powered by solar energy. Electrical costs for the school were nearly $84,00o per year,  but school officials say with the new solar power system and steel structure, that cost is now zero.

gI_112505_photo“The school was undergoing a major expansion, and we were brought in to provide design and build options for the gymnasium and other structures,” said Mike Stock, who spearheaded the project for Allied Steel Buildings’ Caribbean and Latin American Department. “We worked with them on the design so they could get off the grid.”

The 9,000-square-foot outdoor structure has no walls and will serve multiple purposes – both an auditorium and a sports facility. There is a playground for toddlers with sand on one side, and also has a dedicated area that can be set up with a stage for special events. The solar panels on the roof of the building have an output of about 13,000 kilowatt/hours of power a month. When combined with other solar-powered projects, that’s enough to power the entire school. The new building is also used to collect rain water, and has the capacity to provide 25,000 gallons of water for the school to use on irrigation.

To celebrate the new building, the school held a Solar Splash Concert with a number of local bands performing at an eco-fair event under the roof lined with solar panels. At the event, attendees got the chance to learn more about how they can start to save on energy bills while at the same time helping the environment.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

ROUSH Reveals 3 New Ford AutoGas Fuel Systems

Joanna Schroeder

ROUSH CleanTech is now offering three new propane autogas fuel systems for Ford F-59, F-53 and E-450 stripped chassis. The company is the first Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) to offer fuel systems for these platforms.

gI_80766_Ford F-59 stripped chassisAccording to ROUSH, the Ford F-59 commercial step van chassis and the Ford E-450 stripped chassis adapt to numerous fleet delivery applications, such as bakery, textile, multi-stop package delivery service, linen and medical services. The company says the Ford F-53 platform offers a flexible commercial platform for trolleys, lunch trucks and more. The size and cargo capabilities of all three platforms are customizable for specific business vehicle applications.

“With excellent vehicle range and affordable price points, these platforms are a home run for hub and spoke model fleets,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “These commercial stripped chassis platforms operating on propane autogas can help companies save $35,000 or more in fuel and operating expenses over the vehicle’s lifetime. And whether fleets use public fueling stations or install onsite private refueling, they’ll find refueling is inexpensive and easy.”

Built on a 2013 model year or newer chassis with a 6.8-liter, V10 engine, the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford F-53 and F-59 feature a 67-usable gallon propane autogas fuel tank. The ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford E-450 stripped chassis comes equipped with a 41-usable gallon propane autogas fuel tank.

Alternative energy, Propane

Ethanol Opponents Appealing to Supreme Court

Cindy Zimmerman

Oil companies and food manufacturers are taking their lawsuit seeking to ban 15% ethanol (E15) fuel to the U.S. Supreme Court.

courtLower courts have already rejected the attempt by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) to reverse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision allowing E15 in the marketplace as a consumer choice for vehicles newer than 2001.

“We now know why gas prices keep going up and up – to fund unnecessary Big Oil lawsuits to protect their monopoly on the fuel market,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen. “I wonder if food prices will spike as well to cover the cost of this Supreme Court challenge?”

“There is nothing unexpected in this announcement; in fact it is not even news. We know that the oil companies are going to do everything within their power to restrict access of a price competitive product,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

“Big Oily Foods’ cozy and self-serving relationship to do whatever it takes to stop consumers from access to safe and affordable E15 fuel is dripping with highly-saturated desperation,” added Brian Jennings, executive director of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). ““With gasoline prices on the rise for 35 days in a row, American-made E15 will help drivers save money at the pump.”

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw notes that if the lawsuit were successful, federal law would mandate that Americans buy only fuel containing a minimum of 90 percent petroleum. “Big Oil has made clear that nothing will stand in the way of its quest to protect the federal petroleum mandate and use government regulations to shield itself from market competition,” said Shaw.

The additional legal challenge comes on top of legislation introduced last week that would block continued commercial sales of E15.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, Iowa RFA, RFA

Grading Vilsack’s First Term

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What grade would you give Ag Sec. Vilsack during his first term?”

Our poll results: The majority of you at twenty-nine percent gave Vilsack an A. Twenty-two percent said D; eighteen percent said B; seventeen percent said C; and fourteen percent said F. Since the poll grades were similar across the board we decided to calculate his overall average. On his first term paper Vilsack scored a C+.

zp

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Does warranty influence your decision to purchase new equipment?” When shopping for new equipment there are many factors to consider that may make or break a purchase decision. Is warranty one of the top considerations? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Miscellaneous

How High Will Gas Prices Go? Seriously, How High?

Joanna Schroeder

Ugh! I filled up my “economical” car today with gas for the low price of $41! It would have cost even more but I used ethanol, which in Iowa saves me nearly 10 cents a gallon. What I find so amazing is that we’re supposed to have so much oil, yet strangely despite a “surplus,” gas prices keep getting higher and higher. So what am I going to do about this? I’m heading to D.C. to participate in the American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) Biofuels Beltway Fly-in.

ACE Biofuels Beltway LogoIn case you haven’t heard, I’m on a mission for lower prices at the pump and I know that consumer fuel choice will provide this. So does ACE. I also know that every voice counts and our elected leaders in D.C. need to hear them. So does ACE.

There is a lot on the line for the biofuels industry this year. There are well-funded attacks underway against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and E15. These are two issues the ACE team, along with dozens of people from across the country will be speaking with the DC faction about, in their own words, telling their own stories.

“With nearly 100 new members of Congress taking office earlier this year, many with little exposure to ethanol, we need ethanol advocates in Washington more than ever,” says Shannon Gustafson, director of strategic projects for ACE. “The attacks on the RFS and E15 have been mounting, and ACE hopes to meet with a record number of Congressional offices to spread the message that the RFS is working and promoting consumer fuel choice.”

But the industry can’t do this if there is not a swarm of people on the ground in D.C.  We need LOTS of people to come along and tell their stories of how the biofuels industry has affected them. I am challenging the industry to have at least one ethanol advocate from every state – yeah, that means you too Alaska and Hawaii, to join ACE and others in DC this March 13-14th. To date, there are 20 people registered from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. This is a good start but this industry can do MUCH better.

The time to register is now. To participate, visit www.ethanol.org, or contact Shannon Gustafson at (605) 334-3381 ext. 16 or via email.

ACE, biofuels, Biofuels Beltway, Ethanol, Opinion