NEC 2027

Iowa Biodiesel Production Poised to Double

Joanna Schroeder

Iowa Biodiesel producers and supporters took to the Iowa State Capitol yesterday during the Iowa Biodiesel Board’s (IBB) annual Day on the Hill. While there they asked legislators for their support in fulfilling a bold new domestic energy goal. The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) is asking for expanded state policies that foster biodiesel growth and will be good for Iowans through increased economic activity, job growth and national energy prestige.

IBB leaders said Iowa biodiesel production could double by 2022 as a part of a new national goal. Last week, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) unveiled the new goal: “10 by 22,” which means biodiesel would make up 10 percent of the nation’s on-road diesel supply by 2022. According to NBB, reaching this goal depends upon continued technological and agricultural advancements, but is responsible and attainable.

IowaBiodieselBoardLogo“As the nation’s leading biodiesel producer, Iowa is poised to play a major role in this bold new effort, and would benefit from the increased production,” said Randy Olson, IBB executive director. “Under the 10 by 22 plan, we estimate Iowa could double its production, which would mean current plants would operate at or near full capacity. This would enhance Iowa’s economic development.”

Olson added that successful state policies, such as the current incentive for fuel retailers to blend biodiesel and a producer’s credit, help keep Iowa competitive with surrounding states.

Recent economic studies show Iowa biodiesel supported nearly 5,000 jobs in the state in 2012. The industry’s contribution to Iowa’s GDP was nearly $400 million in 2012. Also, corn, soybean and livestock producers all benefit from biodiesel production, according to economic analysis. IBB says the industry’s 10 x 22 goal envisions a more diversified future energy portfolio that would include biodiesel making up 10 percent of the diesel fuel supply. This goal is benchmarked to the on-road volumes but expected to be used in various blend levels in various applications.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB

NY Bioheat Honored With Industry Partership Award

Joanna Schroeder

The biodiesel industry has many to thank for efforts that have lead to greater adoption and support of biodiesel. One area that has been an early adopter is the Big Apple – New York City. Under the leadership of John D. Maniscalco, the CEO of the New York Oil Heating Association, New York City recently passed landmark registration: beginning in October 2012, all heating nbb-13-maniscalcooil sold in the city must contain at least two percent biodiesel.

This cleaner burning, domestic fuel blend known as Bioheat® will replace up to 20 million gallons of petroleum a year. The efforts of Maniscalco and the support provided by the New York Oil Heating Association made this unprecedented legislation possible.

It is these efforts, along with others, that led to his Eye on Biodiesel award from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo this week in Las Vegas.

With the help of NBB and its dedicated Bioheat program, there is currently a Bioheat consumer education campaign running in the Big Apple. Maniscalco hopes this will increase awareness and support of biodiesel. His next two goals for this year are to increase the Bioheat legislation to the entire state of New York, as well as increase the Bioheat biodiesel blend of 2 percent to at least 5 percent.

Maniscalco is also giving back to the community as the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy continues. He is sponsoring a “NYC Proud 2B2 Renewable Warmup” campaign along with Midwest biodiesel producers. Through the campaign the biodiesel industry is offering a grant to three charities – $15,000, $10,000, $5,000 – but you must vote now to determine who will win.

Listen to my interview with John here: Next Steps for Bioheat in the Big Apple

Listen to John’s presentation during the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Board Conference here: Industry Engagement Critical

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Bioenergy Bytes

John Davis

  • BioEnergyBytesDFGreen Fuels NZ Limited has purchased Biodiesel New Zealand’s Production Facilities. Officials say they will continue to produce Green Fuels’ popular Biogold™ branded biodiesel, made from 100 percent recycled vegetable oil and usable in most diesel fuel operations.
  • SC Johnson has announced it will increase its use of wind power by 65 Percent at its Toluca, Mexico facility. The maker of household products, such as Glade and Pledge, says it will participate in the Comision Federal de Electricidad’s (CFE/Federal Electricity Commission) wind farm program, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the Toluca plant by more than half.
  • The average American will have more opportunities to buy solar panels. Connecticut-based DCS Energy announced its “Buy A Panel Program” that allows individuals the chance to fund a solar energy project by purchasing a solar electric panel. At just $800, including installation and power equipment accessories, the energy production of the panel will provide a 3-4 percent annual average return payment for the panel purchaser over a 15-year period.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge, a business plan competition encouraging students from universities throughout the southeast to develop business plans for new clean energy companies. Initial entries having an executive summary and video pitch, are due by March 1, 2013. The winning entry receives $100,000 and competes in the DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Finals.
  • Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners has acquired the remaining 50 percent stake of British Columbia-based Powell River Energy Inc. for CAD$33 million plus the assumption of some debt. The two hydropower generating stations have a total installed capacity of 83 MW producing an average of 546 GWh on an annual basis. Brookfield Renewable has hydropower operations on 69 river systems and 11 power markets in the United States, Canada and Brazil.
Bioenergy Bytes

Car Makers Take Stage at Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

nec13-car-panelRepresentatives from General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz talked “Future Fuels and Higher Octane” at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Las Vegas.

Kristy Moore, Vice President, Technical Services, Renewable Fuels Association moderated the panel and said the manufacturers are facing some real challenges.

“They are under significant pressure to create a vehicle that meets these regulatory requirements and meets a 54.5 fleet economy MPG by 2025,” adding that consumers don’t want to give up the size and convenience their SUVs are giving them now.

Coleman Jones, Biofuel Implementation Manager, General Motors, pointed to Brazil, where that country made the regulatory and tax changes in favor of E100 vehicles but faced some real challenges when oil prices fell dramatically, and consumers became worried whether they could get the high-blend fuels and use those vehicles. That’s when automakers recognized being flexible was the way to go. “In 2003, General Motors and Volkswagen introduced flex-fuel vehicles. These proved to be spectacularly successful in the marketplace. This is what the customer wanted.”

Matthew Kevnick, Senior Principal Engineer, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing N.A. talked about how his company will be incorporating E15 into its owners manuals. Honda North America’s Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Ed Cohen, said they want electric and fuel cell vehicles. Stuart Johnson, Senior Manager, Volkswagen Group of America, told the gathering they are releasing a full line of gasoline engines and incorporating FFVs, while Bill Woebkenberg, U.S. Fuels Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., said his company is interested in higher octane with higher level blends of ethanol.

Listen to the panel discussion here: NEC 13 Car Panel


2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

Audio, Car Makers, Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Ram Commericial A Hit With Ag

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What did you think of Ram Trucks Super Bowl ad?”
Our poll results: The majority at forty-eight percent said All of the Above; twenty-eight percent said Great Exposure for Ag; twelve percent said Very Well Done; six percent were Not Impressed; four percent Hope to See More Like It; and two percent said Other. The Ram Truck super bowl ad could have been controversial within the ag community, but from the looks of our poll, most of you can look past the fact that Paul Harvey, the voice of the commercial, was an animal activist and enjoy the message that he conveyed.

feb13

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What grade would you give Ag Sec. Vilsack during his first term?” Vilsack has had an entire term under his belt, so how would you rate his performance as leader of the USDA? Let us know.

You graded him at mid term and the results were mixed. It will be interesting how you grade him at this point.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

ZimmPoll

Chrysler’s Super Bowl Ad Garners Huge Response

Joanna Schroeder

People are still talking about Chrysler Group’s Super Bowl ad that highlighted the importance of America’s farmers, and today more than 100 Iowans have signed a letter urging Chrysler to recommend the use of E15 in its new vehicles. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), higher blends of ethanol, such as E15, are necessary to maintain the farm prosperity that renewable fuels have created over the last seven years. The signatures were gathered during the 7th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.

The letter stated, “E15 is playing an important role in growing the nation’s economy and providing fuel choice for consumers. Ford and General Motors have already approved E15 for their new cars. The undersigned Iowans ask Chrysler to also approve E15 for its new vehicles.”

“We commend Chrysler for its outstanding Super Bowl ad showing support for the American farmer,” Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Now Chrysler needs to take concrete action and recommend E15 for use in its new vehicles. E15 contains 50 percent more farmer-made ethanol than today’s standard blend. Iowans want to be able to use homegrown fuels like E15 that reduce our dependence on imports and support our farmers.”

biofuels, E85, Iowa RFA, Video

What Happens in Vegas, Doesn’t Stay in Vegas

Joanna Schroeder

nbb-13-inspirationawardIf you are looking for a little inspiration for biodiesel, look no further than Las Vegas, or now the city I have renamed Las BioVegas. A community group of innovators, known as the Las Vegas Biodiesel User Group, became early adopters of the fuel blend and were awarded the Eye on Biodiesel: Inspiration award during the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo aptly held in BioVegas.

Gary H. Weinberg, Western Sierra Services; Ron Corbett, City of North Las Vegas; Frank Giordano, Clark County School District; James Morwood, Las Vegas Valley Water District; Dan Hyde, City of Las Vegas (retired) were all part of the crew.

Listen to the interview with Gary Weinberg here: Weinberg on Innovation

nbb-13-teallAs Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board rightly pointed out during the award ceremony, luckily for biodiesel, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. As Jobe explained, this group of biodiesel pioneers championed the alternative fuel against all odds in the 1990s to help it become the established fuel it is today. The Las Vegas Biodiesel User Group was among the first users of biodiesel in the nation. These fleets worked to overcome resistance, remove technical obstacles, and even successfully challenged large diesel equipment manufacturers to support biodiesel.

Listen to the interview with Frank Giordano here: Giordano on Biodiesel

“In the beginning, biodiesel had its struggles to gain support, like any new fuel,” said Ron Corbett, Clean Cities Coordinator for Las Vegas. “Those of us who were early champions are gratified to see biodiesel finally gaining the momentum it needs to become the fuel of choice.”

Listen to the interview with James Morwood here: Morwood on Leading the Pack

Listen to the interview with Russell Teall here: Teall on Developing Biodiesel Technology

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference

Senator Dorgan: We Must Be Relentless

Joanna Schroeder

Former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan is truly an advocate for biofuels. While in office, Dorgan authored the first renewable fuel bill, requiring 8 billion gallons of biofuels. When President Bush took office, he asked Dorgan to help write nbb-13-byronthe bill that today is the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Dorgan gave an inspiring and funny presentation during the National Biodiesel Board’s 10th Annual Conference in Las Vegas. While he may have regaled the large crowd with funny stories, what he does not find funny is the attack on biodiesel and the RFS. He has dedicated himself to continuing the fight. He said, “It is very important we be relentless with this success story.”

After retiring from the Senate, Dorgan joined the Bipartisan Policy Center, where he along with several others, are continuing to focus on the role of renewable energy and that includes increasing the use of biodiesel.

Dorgan left the audience with three “lessons”. First, bad news travels half way around the world before good news gets its shoes on; the success of a rain dance depends a lot on the timing; and when you hit someone on the head with a book and get a hollow sound, it doesn’t mean the book is empty. The lesson behind the quotes? We have facts on our side. Don’t give up and continue to fight the good fight.

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

We must be relentless
Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

RIN Fraud Not an Issue

Joanna Schroeder

According to RINAlliance, RIN fraud is not an issue for clients due to a long-standing strategic partnership with EcoEngineers. Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) are used to track each gallon of a biofuel as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released proposed rules as part of the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard that addresses potential RIN Fraud.  EcoEngineers, is one company, of several, that validates and audits biofuels production facilities through a comprehensive quality insurance program developed by the company.

RINAlliance logo“While some industry stakeholders have incurred liability and liquidity problems due to the unfortunate production of fraudulent RINs, RINAlliance avoided such issues by moving swiftly to prevent risks through a partnership with EcoEngineers which audits production facilities,” said Dawn Carlson, president of RINAlliance and the not-for-profit association, Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa. “The Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) originally developed by EcoEngineers has become a foundation for the Environmental Protection Agency’s rulemaking efforts to address integrity in biodiesel RIN markets.”

As part of EcoEngineers program, the company validated RINs through in person, on-site audits and ongoing monitoring of feedstock, production, fuel quality, and overall mass-balance of facilities. RINAlliance, says it then utilizes this information to document RIN validity to obligated parties allowing RIN owners to receive top-tier pricing of RINs generated by small to medium sized biodiesel producers. With EPA’s current rulemaking, production facilities utilizing third party RIN QAP services are expected to provide blenders, and ultimately, obligated parties an affirmative defense against EPA presumptive liability policies if the RINs transacted come in question.

More importantly, says RINAlliance, the steps above have created a broad supply of biodiesel and advanced renewable fuels from small to large facilities. This process yields increased competition that, in turn, keeps costs down for consumers and incentives high for those blending with biofuels.

biofuels, RFS

President Calls for More Sustainable Energy

Cindy Zimmerman

sotu-2013Citing a need for increasing jobs and combating climate change, President Obama pledged to do more to “speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy” during his 2013 State of the Union address.

Four years ago, other countries dominated the clean energy market and the jobs that came with it. And we’ve begun to change that. Last year, wind energy added nearly half of all new power capacity in America. So let’s generate even more. Solar energy gets cheaper by the year — let’s drive down costs even further. As long as countries like China keep going all in on clean energy, so must we.

Now, in the meantime, the natural gas boom has led to cleaner power and greater energy independence. We need to encourage that. And that’s why my administration will keep cutting red tape and speeding up new oil and gas permits. That’s got to be part of an all-of-the-above plan. But I also want to work with this Congress to encourage the research and technology that helps natural gas burn even cleaner and protects our air and our water.

Although there was no mention of biofuels in the speech, both ethanol and biodiesel organizations issued statements stressing their importance for the nation in achieving the president’s goals. “Biofuels can provide the eco-boost the U.S. economy needs,” said Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen. ““I am pleased that President Obama will continue to pursue policies that increase the use of cleaner, renewable energy, which is better for our environment and the air we breathe,” Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said. Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board, added that the biodiesel industry is poised to play a growing role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. “Biodiesel is a practical, cost-effective and bipartisan solution that’s here today to address this problem,” Steckel said.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, NBB, RFA