Domestic Fuel

The 2012 Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference, presented by Biofuels Digest, is scheduled for April 2-5 at the Capitol Hilton in Washington D.C.

The main event will feature dozens of top officials from advanced biofuels companies, including industry leaders such as Amyris, Ceres, GEVO, Mascoma, Sapphire Energy, Solazyme, ZeaChem and many more. The conference also features two special full-day concurrent sessions April 5 – Military & Aviation Biofuels and the Bio-Based Investor Summit.

More information and registration details are available at advancedbiofuelssummit.com.

Eight students will receive a scholarship to attend the 17th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Accelerating Industry Innovation, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF).

This is the third year the scholarship has been available to students in higher education. Recipients receive complimentary registration to the conference and the opportunity to connect with hundreds of ethanol leaders, policy makers and experts in the renewable fuels industry.

The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) is one of the preeminent conferences for delivering accurate, timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the ethanol industry. This year’s program will highlight how the ethanol industry continues to evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing marketplace. With federal policy changing, the global, market-driven environment in which the industry must compete comes with new market challenges. Industry leaders and experts will address how we are meeting these new demands by accelerating innovation in technology, marketing, logistics and feedstocks for the production of advanced ethanol.

“It is very encouraging to see such high levels of interest in biofuels from students year after year through this program,” said Mike Jerke, RFF Chairman and General Manager for Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company. “Networking with experts in the U.S. ethanol industry gives these students a first-hand look behind an evolving industry and the direction it is heading. This is a chance for them to explore the opportunities the industry has to offer.”

Each scholarship recipient has focused their studies on renewable energy and biofuels and is interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Read more about the eight recipients of the NEC Scholarship.

If you did not register in advance for the 6th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, there will be registration available on site at the starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

It looks like the weather will be okay tomorrow so it will be worth the trip to see the four-star program the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has lined up this year. Speakers include Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, retired four-star General Paul J. Kern, Dr. Gal Luft of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe, and much more.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and also features an exhibit area of companies and organizations in the biofuels industry. Hope to see you there!

January 19 is the deadline to pre-register for next week’s 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Des Moines, an event that no one in the ethanol and biodiesel industries should miss.

Among the highlights of the summit will be addresses by Governor Terry Branstad, four-star General Paul Kern (U.S. Army, ret.), former Reagan National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane and Executive Director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, Dr. Gal Luft. And that’s just the morning session of the summit.

After lunch, National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe will outline the national landscape for biodiesel on the heels of a record year of biodiesel production and what to expect in 2012 and beyond. That will be followed by a panel on “Synergies of Livestock and Ethanol” moderated by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will moderate a panel representing Iowa’s livestock and corn industries that will discuss the dynamics between ethanol and livestock production. Joining Secretary Northey will be Matt Deppe with Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Craig Floss with Iowa Corn Growers Association and Randy Ives with Gavilon Group LLC. The final event of the day will be a panel discussion on “E15 – the New Consumer Choice” where Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol, and Greg Emick, W & H Coop, will share what consumers need to know in preparation for future use of E15 in 2001 and newer vehicles.

It’s all happening on January 24 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the new location of Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Registration is free and open to anyone with an interest in renewable fuels. Rooms are still available at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott for the conference.

Hope to see you there!

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has made the state a leader in renewable fuels production and public policy, therefore he will address the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24th.

“Leadership from the top makes a difference and Governor Branstad has made a big difference for Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel producers,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Under his leadership, Iowa has taken a lead in proactive public policy for E15 and biodiesel. The renewable fuels community looks forward to hearing from the Governor regarding the implementation of these policies.”

Branstad will address the Summit at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24. Other feature presentations will include four-star General Paul Kern (U.S. Army, ret.) who will discuss foreign oil’s impact on U.S. military operations. Former Reagan National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane will address breaking America’s addiction to foreign oil. Executive Director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, Dr. Gal Luft, will spell out the real national security threats posed by our country’s dangerous dependence on foreign petroleum.

The Summit and trade show are free and open to the public but pre-registration is required. The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

The 6th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24 in Des Moines is free and open to all who want to attend, but they want to know if you are going to be there.

“Registration is required and can be done on-line at iowarfa.org,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Managing Director Lucy Norton. The registration deadline for the event is January 19.

Norton says they are very excited about the event this year, which has a focus on the national security aspect of renewable fuels. “This is an opportunity for people to learn more about the impact that domestic fuels have on our energy security, our economy and the environment and the advantages of using something that we produce here,” she said. “That’s keeping our money at home instead of sending it over to countries that really don’t like us that much.”

Speakers include General Paul J. Kern (U.S. Army Ret.); Former National Security Advisory Robert McFarlane, and Dr. Gal Luft, Institute for Analysis of Global Security. The summit will also feature an update on biodiesel and the plans for implementing E15 for consumer fuel choice.

The summit on January 24 will be held at a new location in the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Registration is easy and fast on-line and there is also more information on program details and hotel availability.

Listen to an interview with Lucy Norton about the summit here: Lucy Norton on Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Managers of ethanol plants are encouraged to attend the latest in the Process Optimization Seminar management series, coming up February 8-10 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event is organized by Fermentis, Fremont Industries, Novozymes and Phibro Ethanol Performance Group.

“This is our seventh event,” said Phibro’s Tom Slunecka. “All prior events have been sold out and we believe that’s based on several factors. We keep the class sizes small, we keep the locations affordable, we keep the agendas tight, and we also throw in some entertainment.”

The focus at this upcoming event will be on exports of both ethanol and distillers grains. “All plant managers today know that without the export market that our profitability would be much lower than it is,” Slunecka said. “So this seminar’s going to give pointers and tips on how to maximize that opportunity.” The seminar’s general session will cover many of the most important issues; regulations, quality control, contracting and mediation.

The entertainment portion of this event will be the National Hockey League game between the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.

Listen to an interview with Tom Slunecka about the upcoming seminar: Process Optimization Seminar Interview

Registration is $275 and is available on-line at www.processoptimizationseminar.com.

Former National Security Advisor Robert C. McFarlane will speak at the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24. McFarlane’s address is titled, “Foreign Oil: Breaking Our Addiction Through Consumer Fuel Choice.” The Summit is sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

Prior to serving as President Reagan’s National Security Advisor, McFarlane was appointed as the President’s Special Representative in the Middle East. After numerous years of public service, he founded Global Energy Investors, LLC, and co-founded the United States Energy Security Council. The Council’s mission is focused on diminishing the inordinate strategic importance of oil, which stems from its virtual monopoly over transportation fuel.

“We’re privileged to have Mr. McFarlane join the Summit program to underscore the hazardous results of the oil monopoly on the U.S. economy,” said Lucy Norton, IRFA Managing Director. “His message of consumer fuel choice will make clear how flex-fuel vehicles and renewable fuels can play a significant role in reducing our country’s dangerous foreign oil dependence.”

The Summit and trade show will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN) will address the 2011 Algae Biomass Summit October 25-27 in Minneapolis, according to the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO).

Senator Franken will help kickoff the conference on October 25, while Senator Klobuchar will address the conference via a video lunchtime keynote on October 26, focusing on home grown energy and job creation.

“That Senators Klobuchar and Franken both chose to participate in the conference reflects the importance of algae-based fuels and co-products not only for the state of Minnesota, but also the rest of the country,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO.

Other speakers at the conference include Harrison Dillon, President of Solazyme, Judy Canales, USDA Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Programs; and Cynthia “C.J.” Warner, CEO of Sapphire Energy.

The 5th annual Algae Biomass Summit will feature presentations and poster sessions from more than 200 experts from around the world, with exhibits by more than 60 companies and organizations. The event is expected to attract more than 800 participants, with 20 countries already represented among the registrants to date.

The 2011 American Coalition for Ethanol conference concluded today in Des Moines, Iowa and yesterday the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) was awarded the Legislative Leadership Award. It’s presented each year to a policymaker or leader at either the federal or state level for introducing or supporting public policies that promote ethanol.

As the award was being presented, Ron Lamberty, ACE senior vice president said, “ACE is proud to award IRFA with the Legislative Leadership Award. Over the last few years, IRFA has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in support of renewable fuels in Iowa. ACE is pleased with their leadership in the 2011 legislative session to pass Senate File 531, a bill that included E15 incentives, liability protection for retailers and infrastructure grants and will undoubtedly make a difference to Iowa consumers and retailers.”

SF 531 contained a number of provisions, including:

•   – 3-cent per gallon E15 retailer tax credit
•   – Biodiesel production tax credit.
•   – Misfueling liability protection for retailers.
•   – An enhanced E85 retailer tax credit.
•   – An extension of the biodiesel retailer tax credit for blends of B5 and higher.
•   – $3 million in annual funding for Iowa’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (which provides grants for installation of blender, E85 and   biodiesel dispensers as well as biodiesel terminal infrastructure).

Monte Shaw, IRFA’s executive director added, “It is indeed an honor for IRFA to receive this prestigious award from ACE. Iowa is the leader in ethanol production and the IRFA Board made it a priority for Iowa to become a leader in ethanol policy as well. The passage of SF531 accomplished that goal with its first-in-the-nation E15 incentive for retailers. The real credit goes to the IRFA Board for setting high goals and working hard to achieve them. Further, we would not have been successful without the bipartisan support of the Iowa Legislature and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.”

On September 21, 2011, Siemens Industry and North Carolina Solar Center will host Solar Exchange East, a free conference for manufacturers and developers of solar power. The event will be held on the North Carolina State University’s campus in Raleigh and will include topics such as the future of solar energy policy, economic development in the South East, trends in smart grid, utility and utility-scale solar projects in the region, the military’s use of solar energy, and more.

Panelists include speakers from the N.C. Solar Center’s Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) program, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, FREEDM Center, TUV Rheinland, Henkels and McCoy, Semprius, TechnoSunSolar, Siemens, UL, Inc., FLS Energy, Actus Lend Lease, U.S. Navy Facilities Engineering Command, Sabot 6, and more.

“We’re excited to partner with the North Carolina Solar Center, and look forward to a productive day of discussion about the solar industry with information specifically designed for individuals in this part of the country,” said Richard Myers, senior director of solar vertical markets for Siemens.

This is the third Solar Exchange event. Past conferences were held in conjunction with the University of California, Los Angeles and Arizona State University. A full agenda will be available in late August. More information and registration can be found at here.

U.S. Senator Harkin (D-IA) will be speaking at the 24th Annual Ethanol Conference hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). The event will be taking place on August 22-24 in Des Moines with Harkin presenting on Wednesday, August 24th.

“We are honored that Senator Harkin will be joining us for our 24th annual ethanol conference,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE. “He has been a champion for ethanol in the Senate, particularly when it comes to consumer fuel choice with his legislation calling for the deployment of more Flexible Fuel Vehicles and blender pumps.”

Senator Harkin was elected to Congress in 1974. After serving ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he was elected to the Senate in 1984. He has been re-elected in 1990, 1996, 2002 and 2008. During his time in Congress, Harkin has been a strong supporter of ethanol in his capacity as a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Recently, the Senator introduced the Biofuels Market Expansion Act of 2011. The legislation mandates that a large majority of vehicles sold in the US be flex-fuel, requires major fuel distributors to install blender pumps and offers federal loan guarantees for ethanol pipelines.

“The ethanol industry is making history by challenging the decades-old dominance of petroleum-based fuels in our transportation systems,” said Harkin. “Supplying 10 percent of our gasoline demand is a huge accomplishment, but the byproduct of this success is critical market infrastructure needs. We need actions to enable ethanol and other biofuels to increase that to 20 percent, and then to 30 percent and beyond. Those levels of domestic biofuel supplies, coupled with increasing vehicle efficiencies, truly can eliminate our need for oil imports as well as the insecurities that come with those imports.”

For more information about the conference and to register visit ACE’s website.

The 2011 Florida Energy Summit has been moved to October 26-28 in Orlando, Florida. The official announcement came today from the Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam who made the announcement during a visit to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa where he learned about the research and development of energy technologies to advanced the production of hydrogen, fuel cell, solar energy and biomass.

“The Florida Energy Summit will advance the expansion of the production of renewable energy in Florida by bringing together leaders in energy development, agriculture production, government, academic research, technology and finance,” said Commissioner Putnam. “By taking a more comprehensive look at prospective energy resources, we will gain a better understanding of Florida’s energy potential to not only capture, but also capitalize on the rich resources available.”

The Florida Energy Summit replaces the Farm to Fuel Summit, and will be hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). The change in focus came from the 2011 Legislative Session where they transferred the responsibilities of the Florida Energy and Climate Commission to DACS and thus creating the Department’s Office of Energy. The new summit will broaden the energy focus from “biofuels” to all forms of renewable energy.

Information about the Florida Energy Summit can be found at www.floridaenergysummit.com.

While wind energy is growing exponentially, renewable energy in the U.S. makes up less than 4 percent of total energy use. To increase energy created from wind power, several issues need to be address including transmission infrastructure and advanced energy storage. These very opportunities will be discussed and more during the first Wind & Transmission Leadership summit in Big Sky Montana from September 25-28, 2011.

The C-level summit will focus on seeking solutions to energy policy and wind development and will bring together leaders from the wind, energy storage and transmission industries as well as people from state and federal governments, finance and investment firms, academia, associations, environmental groups, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

“This conference is well positioned to bring together the leaders in industry and government that are working to solve our greatest challenges to establishing a renewable energy standard for the U.S. and to address the continued risk to our economy and environment,” said Randy Stratton, Conference Co-Chairman. “We can solve these challenges with the private sector working with the government to fund research and development in wind, energy storage, transmission technology and electric vehicles. We must move forward now before we fall further behind the rest of the world.”

Several break-out sessions will occur during the three-day summit and focus on a key segments of the market. Sessions include: community wind development, transmission solutions, state and federal policies and incentives, opening electricity markets in the West, siting issues, large wind technology, public lands and transmission infrastructure, wildlife concerns, national and regional energy programs, eminent domain, smart grid advancements, finance/investment and risk/liability issues.

Tom Kaiserski, Director of Energy Promotions for the State of Montana added, “This summit is designed to bring together the players with the vision and resources capable of building a 21st century clean and renewable power and transmission system that will result in thousands of new jobs, billions of investment, millions in new tax revenues that will help secure our energy future.”

Click here to learn more about the conference and for online registration.

New dates have been scheduled for a conference on the future of energy in Florida.

The 6th annual Farm to Fuel Summit had been scheduled for August 3-5 in Orlando but was postponed in May after the Florida legislature approved the transfer of the State Energy Office from the Executive Office of the Governor to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services effective July 1.

“With the new responsibilities, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is taking a more comprehensive approach to energy policy,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam “On October 26 through 28, the Department will host an event where elected officials, academics and key stakeholders in the energy industry will come together to discuss the future of energy in Florida.”

Putnam promises more details to come soon.