Domestic Fuel

Our latest ZimmPoll didn’t excite too many people judging by the response. Thanks to all of you who did take the poll though. We asked the question, “How do you view the new free trade agreements for U.S. ag?” The majority view the agreements as Positive at 54%, while 28% view them as Negative and 18% as Neutral. I guess we’ll see what happens. You know that time will tell!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What is the cause of obesity?” It seems like we read about this “crisis” all the time. Is this something we should look to the government to fix? Or is this something that people need to take personal responsibility for? Do we blame someone else or look in the mirror? Are efforts like the USDA’s Choose My Plate having any affect on obesity? What do you think? Let us know and thank you.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

Vogelbusch USA has been awarded a contract to supply the ethanol distillation and dehydration equipment for the INEOS Bio waste-to-bioenergy facility near Vero Beach, Florida.

“We chose Vogelbusch’s distillation and dehydration systems for their proven capabilities, which are vital as we commercialize our advanced bioenergy technology,” said Mark Niederschulte, COO of INEOS Bio. “Our project is on schedule, and we look forward to working closely with Vogelbusch as we bring this advanced biorefinery online in 2012.”

The project will use INEOS Bio’s feedstock-flexible BioEnergy technology, which combines gasification and fermentation technologies, to turn different types of waste materials, including municipal solid waste, into advanced biofuels and renewable power. When completed, the BioEnergy Center will be the first commercial facility in the world to use this advanced technology with the capacity to manufacture eight million gallons of cellulosic ethanol and provide power for 1400 homes in the area.

The plant is scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2012.

A community college in Florida is seeking a grant to start a bioenergy education program.

Highlands Today reports that South Florida Community College (SFCC) in Avon Park is working with biofuels companies in the region on the effort to create a program that will prepare individuals to enter the field of advanced biofuels production. The main industry partners are BP Biofuels’ Tampa-based Vercipia Biofuels, along with U.S. EnviroFuels and Southeast Renewable Fuels. All three companies are involved in the development of advanced ethanol production facilities in south Florida.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is now on Facebook.

IRFA announced the launch of its Facebook page today as part of an ongoing effort to provide Iowans with news and information on renewable fuels. IRFA’s Facebook page will feature news, announcements, press releases, photos, and videos.

“The IRFA Facebook page gives our organization another effective outlet to communicate the positive impacts of renewable fuels on job creation, air quality, and national security,” said IRFA Biofuels Manager Grant Menke. “The Facebook page will improve our outreach, especially to younger consumers who demand instant information and value efficient, renewable products.”

Connect to the Iowa RFA Facebook page here.

The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is asking Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for his annual Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels. The Iowa Department of Agriculture awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.

“Fuel retailers continue to take steps to make ethanol and biodiesel more available to Iowa customers and this award is an opportunity to recognize those who have shown leadership in promoting these renewable fuels and making them more available to customers,” Northey said.

Qualifying entities will be those that market the renewable fuels they have available through creative efforts including, but not limited to: hosting special events highlighting their renewable fuels, development of creative signage, initiation of new advertisements or marketing efforts, and efforts dramatically increase renewable fuel availability.

The winners will be recognized during a meeting of the Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores of Iowa in Des Moines on January 10th. This is the fifth year for the award which was won last year by Kyle Krause of Kum & Go and Roger Baschke of Green Plains Energy Company.

Nominations must be submitted by January 1 and nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

Hawaiian Electric Company has again selected Renewable Energy Group® (REG) to supply their sustainable biodiesel needs.

Under the new contract, REG will continue to supply 3-7 million gallons of high quality biodiesel annually for Hawaiian Electric’s 110-megawatt combustion turbine generator at Campbell Industrial Park Generating Station for three additional years. Like the current supply contract, the biodiesel will be processed from used cooking oil and waste animal fats. The new contract was awarded as a result of a request for competitive bids issued in February 2011.

“We are committed to beating the legal requirement of 40 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030,” said Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president. “We need to bring as much clean energy online as soon as possible.”

The Campbell Industrial Park Generating Station is the first utility-scale combustion turbine run entirely on biodiesel.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Hawaiian Electric Company, a progressive, sustainable leader in the electric utility generation business,” said Daniel J. Oh, REG president & CEO. “The state should be commended for its leadership in creating a model for other utility companies across the country to follow.”