Domestic Fuel

Ethanol is good for taking harmful particles out of automobile emissions, but a group committed to cleaner air is worried that gasoline makers might just end up putting more particulates in the blendstock.

“The [ultra-fine particulates] profile of the ethanol is very, very consistent,” but Greg Krissek, Director of Government Affairs for ICM, part of the Urban Air Initiative, told Joanna during the recent Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Renewable Fuels Summit that as ethanol blends get higher, gasoline makers are increasing the amount of particulate-forming ingredients on their end.

But Greg is still optimistic that higher ethanol blends will be used in the future. “I think there are very positive discussions with automakers about how to use mid-level blends. What we don’t want to happen is the unintended consequence down the road of what happens to that gasoline blendstock.”

You can find out more on the Urban Air Initiative’s website.

Listen to Joanna’s interview with Greg here: Greg Krissek

View the IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album.

Saying that the American Coalition for Ethanol’s (ACE) DC Fly-In will be the best ever may be a bit premature but not if I can help it. The fifth annual event will happen on Wednesday, March 13 and Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Washington, D.C. where ACE members and other ethanol supports will descend on the Hill and tell the great local stories of ethanol.

I spoke with Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President for ACE to get the update on this year’s event. There is no fee to be involved and Jennings said they need as many people involved that they can. Last year they had about 60 participants from a dozens or more states and met with 200 congressional delegates in two days.

The reason ACE does this is because they feel that it is important to show the story rather than just tell it. While Jennings believes that facts are on the industry’s side, he said that sometimes you need to wrap up the story in a better wrapper. What they’ve found is that real people can put a human face on why the RFS is important or why we need E15. So when a banker from a small town or a farmer who happens to be a board member for an ethanol plant goes to talk to members of Congress why his or her daily life ethanol has provided benefits and why it’s important, that tends to resonate a lot more effectively than it would if it were a paid lobbyist trying to make the case.

Jenning said ACE knows that 2013 is a pivotal year in trying to keep the RFS so they will focus on this as well as some other issues. They will also be sure to meet with the “freshman” congressman to make sure they start their term understanding the benefits of ethanol.

We here at DomesticFuel.com have a mission. To have at least one person from each state participate in this year’s fly-in. We’ve created a “watch” logo and will be bringing you updates on state representation and we’ll be calling out those states without a participate. So let’s work together to make this event phenomenal. To register visit www.ethanol.org, or contact Shannon Gustafson at (605) 334-3381 ext. 16 or via email.

Listen to my interview with Brian here: Best DC Fly-In Ever!

View the IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album.

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 oil 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

Representatives 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

If 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

As 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

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 the 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

As always, the Global Perspectives and Washington Insiders panels at the National Ethanol Conference were as entertaining as ever. The panels routinely feature representatives from other organizations that may not share the same viewpoint of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), allowing the opportunity for some interesting dialogue.

Global Renewable Fuels Alliance spokesperson Bliss Baker served as the moderator/referee for the global panel which featured RFA CEO Bob Dinneen; Canadian Renewable Fuels Association president Scott Thurlow; Rob Vierhout, Secretary General of ePURE; UNICA CEO Elizabeth Farina; and Poul Ruben Andersen with Novozymes A/S.

Noting the panel placement of Canadian Thurlow between Dinneen and Vierhout, Baker commented, “Some of you may be familiar with Canada’s tradition of peacekeeping,” he said. “Scott may have to assume that role of peacekeeper when we talk about our first issue” which was Europe’s trade challenge to U.S. ethanol imports. “I find it a little bizarre that we are in this spat that we are in today, attacking one another,” Baker said, throwing the floor open to Veirhout to explain “what were you thinking?”

Listen to the panel here: NEC 13 Global Panel

This year’s Washington Insiders panel included (L to R) – Marty Durbin, Executive Vice President, American Petroleum Institute; Shane Karr, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers; Louis Finkel, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, Grocery Manufacturers Association; and James Massie, Principal, The Alpine Group (the “insider’s insider”).

Interesting exchange on the panel came between Dinneen and GMA’s Finkel regarding the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Challenging Finkel’s claim that the production of corn ethanol under the RFS has had a “significant” impact on food costs, Dinneen asked if he would say that oil prices also have a significant impact on the price of food. “I don’t think it has a significant impact,” Finkel replied. “I think it has an impact on the cost of transporting our food.”

“You’re a good advocate for your industry,” Dinneen responded.

Listen to the whole panel here: NEC 13 Insiders Panel

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

More biodiesel please. If you were on the look out for biodiesel it could definitely be seen during the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Conference in Las Vegas. Last year was a roller coaster year for the industry but some good things happened, one of which was the $1 per gallon tax credit coming back. Another – increasing the volume of biodiesel as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Biodiesel can be a good tool in a farm business but Alicia Clancy, Manager of Corporate Affairs for the Renewable Energy Group (REG) said that biodiesel can play a bigger role than it currently is. What does she mean? Biodiesel can be used in farm equipment such as tractors and trucks and many use B2 blends. But, said Clancy, equipment and many trucks are approved to use up to B20.

It is this fact that spurred the biodiesel promotion, More B for Me. Clancy said the goal of the promotion is to increase awareness of biodiesel use in farming equipment. As part of the campaign, farmers (or consumers) are encouraged go to their local co-op or gas station and ask them to offer higher blends of biodiesel and then use blends up to B20.

Here is how it works. Go to www.morebforme.com to register. You must be a farmer in Iowa (although everyone should ask for more biodiesel). REG, along with all the sponsors of the program including the Iowa Soybean Association and the soybean checkoff, Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, is giving away 10 – $1,000 dollar certificates at the end of March, just in time for planting season.

Listen to my interview with Alicia here: More B For Me

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

The National Biodiesel Board praised Sec. Vilsack as one of the strongest advocates for renewable fuels in the nation, and presented him with the National Energy Leadership Award during the final day of the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Board Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

“I’ve witnessed the beginning of a rural renaissance that is remarkable, and you, sir, have presided over it,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “You went to bat for us in the successful expansion of the RFS, and for an issue like ours to go all the way to the top is extraordinary. We can’t thank you enough for your leadership.”

Rather than a typical award, this one was embossed on a glass plate, apropos for the leader of American agriculture.

“You have the power to make us more energy secure, and still create enough food and fiber for the world. That’s an amazing opportunity worth fighting for,” said Vilsack. “You also have the ability to respond as a generation to climate change. You’ve got to keep up the fight because the stakes are extraordinarily high.”

Listen to Jobe’s and Vilsack’s remarks here: National Energy Leadership Award

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

It’s ironic that the “Phantom Fuels Reform Act of 2013″ was introduced in the Senate on Thursday at the same time a panel discussion on “Dispelling the Myth of the Phantom Fuel” was going on at the National Ethanol Conference where four different cellulosic biofuels companies talked about how they will be making commercial quantities of the fuel this year.

The legislation, which would have an impact on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), was introduced by Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), David Vitter (R-La.) and Michael Crapo (R-Idaho), following the introduction of its House companion yesterday by Reps. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah).

“The legislation wants to make the RFS reflect the marketplace instead of push the marketplace, which is what the oil industry wants because that would short circuit the RFS,” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Ethanol Council.

Listen to an interview with Brooke here: AEC's Brooke Coleman

One company that expects to be producing cellulosic ethanol very soon is INEOS Bio, according to vice president Dan Cummings. “We finished construction on our first facility in Vero Beach, Florida, have commissioned it and now we’re in the final start up phase moving towards making cellulosic bio-ethanol,” said Cummings. “We’re making it out of waste – agricultural, yard waste and vegetative waste.”

Target date to be on line is this quarter, moving toward full production this year with a capacity of eight million gallons. “It’s a first of a kind technology in the world and we look to license and build other plants globally,” Cummings said.

Listen to my interview with Dan here: INEOS Bio VP Dan Cummings

Others on the “Phantom Fuel” panel included Beta Renewables CEO Guido Ghisolfi, Poul Ruben Andersen with Novozymes North America, and Martin Mitchell of Clariant.

Listen to the whole panel here: NEC Phantom Fuel Panel

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a solution to address specific concerns about retail sales of 15% ethanol (E15) ensuring that gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol is available at each station when also offering the higher octane fuel E15.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Director of Market Development Robert White explains that the solution will eliminate the need for a four-gallon minimum fueling transaction when E15 is sold from the same hose as E10, E0 or both.

Advocates for motorcyclists and small engines had expressed concern that EPA’s four-gallon minimum requirement would make it difficult for those low volume customers to find fuel appropriate for their vehicles. With today’s announcement, their concerns have been eliminated. The configuration approved by EPA will recommend that retailers either sell E15 from a dedicated hose, or have at least one fueling position that does not have E15 available. This fueling position will be clearly identified, and other fueling positions will direct those seeking that option to the right place. EPA may ultimately approve more configuration options in the future.

Listen to Robert explain in this interview: RFA's Robert White

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

Members of the Renewable Fuels Association are on the road home from Vegas ready to continue driving the industry forward after another uplifting National Ethanol Conference.

About 1100 ethanol industry members attended the event, despite the challenging times facing them. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm here and there’s a lot of optimism,” said RFA CEO Bob Dinneen. “They are realistic about the fights coming forth but they are ready to fight and ready to make sure that Congress does not mess with the RFS.”

“I’m excited, I’m pumped,” Dinneen added.

Dinneen was pleased that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was able to address the conference again this year and appreciated his message that the industry is under attack because it’s winning, not because it’s losing. “We are really challenging oil companies,” said Dinneen, noting that the ethanol industry is winning the “battle for barrel” and “we are going to win it for our children.”

Dinneen also commented on the “Phantom Fuels Act” introduced today by members of Congress from oil producing states. “These members should have been out here, they would have seen the phantom fuels and would have learned there is cellulosic development going on today,” he said.

Listen to my wrap up interview with Bob here: NEC Wrap up with Bob Dinneen

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

Representatives from corn growers, the oil industry, advanced ethanol and the investment community addressed the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) during the 18th National Ethanol Conference.

The panel moderated by Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association included National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman, John Reese with Shell Oil Products, Advanced Ethanol Council executive director Brooke Coleman, and Mark McMinimy with Guggenheim Securities.

Listen to the discussion here: NEC Future of RFS panel

NCGA’s Tolman told the audience that the corn growers believe the RFS has been a huge success but he does believe there are implementation challenges going forward and one he noted was the language that restricts corn from being considered an advanced biofuel. “The industry has a petition at EPA right now to see if we can have a pathway approved for corn fiber from the kernel as an advanced biofuel,” said Tolman, and in the future they hope to address the arbitrary restriction on corn starch as an advanced biofuel.

Tolman says the RFS will be a topic of discussion with corn growers at the upcoming Commodity Classic in Orlando later this month.

Listen to an interview with Rick here: NCGA CEO Rick Tolman

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack went from the National Ethanol Conference to the National Biodiesel Conference today in Las Vegas.

Vilsack addressed a standing room only crowd during the final day of the 10th Annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. Beginning his second term as part of the Obama Administration, prior to taking this position he was the Governor of Iowa. Vilsack has been a leader in the support of biofuels since taking office as Governor and has continued in his current role.

Vilsack said that the biodiesel industry is helping the country become secure through its innovation and products and also helping to create a new biobased economy.

There is a huge fight against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Vilsack noted that there are some who say it needs to be changed because it’s not reliable and not effective, when in fact it’s exactly the opposite. “This standard is working. It’s doing what’s its supposed to do. It’s helping to create an industry that supports jobs, improves incomes, reduces alliance on foreign oil, and gives consumers choice. It’s working,” said Vilsack.

He also noted that the reason why the biodiesel industry is being challenged is because they are winning. “Trust me,” he said. “If you were losing no one would be paying attention to you. But there is more work to do to meet these challenges.”

Vislack ended his remarks by giving the industry a couple of ideas. One of the most critical, he said, is that it is important to engage people at the state and local level to explain to them the benefits of this industry.

You have the capacity to reignite a new century of innovation and to help redefine and revitalize the American economy, said Vilsack. “And this is worth fighting for.”

Listen to Secretary Vilsack’s remarks at the biodiesel conference here: Industry Engagement Critical

2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

See more coverage on the Biodiesel Conference Blog

During the opening session on the second day of the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) 18th annual National Ethanol Conference, Scott Zaremba, President of Zarco 66 Inc. and Zarco 66 American Fuels, received the “Industry Award” in recognition of his vision and commitment to expanding fuel choices for his customers in Kansas.

In July of 2012, Scott Zaremba became the first petroleum marketer in the United States to offer E15. Since that time, he has expanded E15 availability to seven stations throughout Kansas.

Zaremba explained, “I’m proud to be able to offer my customers a choice at the pump, especially when that choice helps Kansas drivers save money, clean the environment and support ethanol production jobs across the state of Kansas and throughout the Midwest. In Kansas, our state motto talks about getting to the stars through difficulties. Introducing E15 is a good example of blazing a new trail despite regulatory delays and resistance to break our addition to foreign oil. E15 is a win-win in my book. It is part of a domestic solution to energy independence.”

Listen to my interview with Scott here: Scott Zaremba at NEC 2013

2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album