Minnesota – Advanced BioFuels USA

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo (FEW) — July 13-15 2021 — Minneapolis, MN DEADLINE: March 12, 2021

Now in its 37th year, the FEW provides the global ethanol industry with cutting-edge content and unparalleled networking opportunities in a dynamic business-to-business environment. The FEW is the largest, longest running ethanol conference in the world—and the only event powered by Ethanol Producer Magazine. From its inception, the mission of the

January 15, 2021 Read Full Article

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: Biodiesel Production Technology Summit — July 13-15, 2021 — Minneapolis, MN DEADLINE: March 12, 2021

The Biodiesel Production Technology Summit is a new forum designed for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to learn about cutting-edge process technologies, new techniques and equipment to optimize existing production, and efficiencies to save money while increasing throughput and fuel quality. Produced by Biodiesel Magazine, this world-class event features premium content

January 15, 2021 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Production Technology Summit — July 13-15, 2021 — Minneapolis, MN

The Biodiesel Production Technology Summit is a new forum designed for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to learn about cutting-edge process technologies, new techniques and equipment to optimize existing production, and efficiencies to save money while increasing throughput and fuel quality. Produced by Biodiesel Magazine, this world-class event features premium

January 15, 2021 Read Full Article

International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo (FEW) — July 13-15 2021 — Minneapolis, MN

Now in its 37th year, the FEW provides the global ethanol industry with cutting-edge content and unparalleled networking opportunities in a dynamic business-to-business environment. The FEW is the largest, longest running ethanol conference in the world—and the only event powered by Ethanol Producer Magazine. From its inception, the mission of the

January 15, 2021 Read Full Article

Senators Ask Biden to Restore the Integrity of the RFS

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of six democratic senators sent a letter President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 11 urging his administration to support U.S. farmers and the biofuels industry by restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The letter, signed by Sens. Tammy Duckworth. D-Ill.; Amy Klobuchar,

January 13, 2021 Read Full Article

Gevo Announces Net-Zero Project Concept

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (“Gevo”) (NASDAQ: GEVO), announces the concept of Net-Zero Projects for the production of energy dense liquid hydrocarbons using renewable energy and Gevo’s proprietary technology. The concept of a Net-Zero Project is to convert renewable energy (photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas, biogas) from a variety of sources into energy

January 12, 2021 Read Full Article

Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association Files Lawsuit over Emission Standards

(KROXAM) On Wednesday, January 6, the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court alleging Minnesota lacks the authority under the Federal Clean Air Act to regulate motor vehicle emissions and is preempted under federal law from moving forward with its rules to adopt California vehicle emissions

January 8, 2021 Read Full Article

DigestData DeepDive into Renewable Energy Group

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable Energy Group is the largest operator of renewable diesel and biodiesel plants in the US, with 12 refineries and a fast-growing capacity, especially in red-hot renewable diesel. In today’s Digest, we take a DigestData DeepDive™ with Actionable, Relational, Granular, Global Hard Data on REG’s Bioeconomy

January 8, 2021 Read Full Article

The Digest’s Biofuels Mandates Around the World 2021

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 65 countries. Get the latest up to the minute new information on the Canada Clean Fuels Standard as well as a

January 8, 2021 Read Full Article

MCGA Offering Four $5,000 Scholarships to Future Ag Leaders — DEADLINE: January 8, 2021

(Minnesota Corn Growers Association) The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is providing four $5,000 scholarships to students located statewide who are pursuing a career in agriculture. The number of scholarships available doubled from last year, as Minnesota’s corn farmers increased their investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders. “Our

December 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Released Its 2020 Annual Report

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The report outlined the steps we and our producer members took to keep Minnesota’s ethanol industry moving in the right direction through the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, the report details our efforts in advocacy, communications and fuel supply in 2020 and our plans for 2021. Excerpts from Minnesota

December 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Minnesota Announces Rule-making, Making It the First State in the Midwest to Adopt Clean Car Standards

(Sierra Club) Today (December 18, 2020), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced it will publish its draft Clean Car Standards on Monday, which would require new cars sold in the state to emit less climate-disrupting pollution. The rule also regulates that an increasing percentage of new cars sold in the state

December 22, 2020 Read Full Article

5 Reasons Clean Fuel Standards Are the Secret Key to Decarbonizing Transportation

by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) Clean Fuel Standards like the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) have been around for more than a decade but have not attracted the attention of more narrowly targeted policies promoting electric vehicles, biofuels, or renewable power. Recently, however, Clean Fuel Standards are enjoying something of

December 16, 2020 Read Full Article

California Ethanol + Power Finalizes Exclusive Purchase & Marketing Agreement With CHS for Imperial County Project

(California Ethanol + Power) Minnesota Firm to Market and Sell 68 Million Gallons Annually of Essential EthanolTM to Be Produced at Sugar Valley Energy Campus near Brawley, CA — California Ethanol + Power announced today an exclusive 15-year contract was awarded to CHS Inc. to market and sell the 68

December 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Minnesota Clean Transportation Pilot Program Letters of Interest Due December 7, 2020

(Minnesota Department of Transportation) MnDOT’s Clean Transportation Pilot Funding Program provides up to $2 million annually in grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 to pilot, test, and increase adoption of clean transportation technologies, especially where cost is a barrier to implementation. The overall program goal is to demonstrate the potential of

November 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Study Confirms Contribution of Bioenergy to Climate Change Mitigation

by Elton Alisson (Agência FAPESP) … Some argue, for example, that biofuels are not sustainable because the conversion of non-agricultural land to grow energy crops could lead to a significant initial decrease in carbon storage, creating what is known as a “biofuel carbon debt”. A study by a cross-border group of

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Growth Energy Applauds Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020

(Growth Energy) Today, U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) introduced the Streamlining Advanced Biofuels Registration Act of 2020 to encourage low-carbon fuel production and increase production of cellulosic biomass into renewable fuels. This legislation would expedite the approval process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for low-carbon biofuel

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

‘Bold’ Ag Innovation Campus Breaks Ground in Crookston, Minnesota

(Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council/Biobased Diesel Daily) No small amount of grit, forward-thinking ideas or farmer leadership helped lead to a momentous day in Crookston, Minnesota, recently as ground was broken for the long-awaited Ag Innovation Campus’ small crush facility. “This is exciting―there are opportunities here,” said Tim Walz, the

November 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Michelle Fischbach Ousts Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s Seventh District

by Briana Bierschbach (Star Tribune) Republican Michelle Fischbach ousted DFL Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s Seventh District on Tuesday, ending a three-decade career in Congress and toppling Democras’ powerful chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Fischbach, a former lieutenant governor and state senator from Paynesville, benefited from President Donald Trump’s popularity

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Governor’s Council on Biofuels Submits Recommendations for Growing Industry

(Minnesota Department of Agriculture) Report aims to help Minnesota meet renewable energy goals — The Governor’s Council on Biofuels has given Gov. Tim Walz its consensus report on the steps needed to grow Minnesota’s biofuels industry and get the state back on track to meet renewable energy goals. Walz charged the

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Column: There’s a Burning Mandate for Change, Green Jobs

by George Miller (Columbus Dispatch) … From geothermal steam in Nevada to the low-carbon biofuel feedstocks harvested across Ohio, carbon savings are available through the labor and ingenuity of green energy workers in every community. We’ve seen this strategy work in California, where the clean energy industry already supports 475,000 jobs

October 21, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Win Could Be Net Positive for Metals and Mining, Observers Say

by Jacob Holzman and Gaurang Dholakia (S&P Global Platts) … As a result, observers have predicted that producers of battery and base metals such as lithium and nickel could benefit from a Biden victory. … The benefits to metals producers from a Biden win could stretch beyond the boundaries of

October 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Administration Invests Up to $100 Million to Increase American Biofuel Sales

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to

October 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Award of Excellence Recipient Doug Tiffany Knows ‘Rural Values’

by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The prolific career of Doug Tiffany, recipient of the 2020 Award of Excellence, is indelibly linked to his connections to agriculture and farmland. Ethanol and its coproducts have been a frequent point of focus for the University of Minnesota production economist. … While seemingly

October 5, 2020 Read Full Article

A Plug-In Flex Fuel Hybrid for the Nation

by Timothy J. Rudnicki (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) What would it take to cut petroleum use by at least 85 percent in the near term? What vehicle powertrain can use two renewable sources of energy and on one fill provide a range greater than 450 miles? It’s the plug-in flex fuel hybrid vehicle. As

September 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Low-Carbon Drop-In Transportation Fuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a new generation of low carbon, drop-in transportation fuels and Gevo is targeting jet fuel, gasoline blendstocks, diesel and more with their “Whole Gallons, Net Zero” vision. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, shared this illuminating presentation at ABLC Digital 2020 that looked at the impact

September 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Ag Policy Blog: House Democrats Get Aggressive on Biofuels

by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) …What did become clear was Democrats in both the House and the Senate are paying more attention to biofuels at the moment. And yet, given that Congress is going to pass a temporary funding bill, and then go campaign, it’s probably going to take

September 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Craig Recognized by Growth Energy for Her Support of Biofuels

by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig has again been recognized by Growth Energy for her support of biofuels. CEO Emily Skor says the first-term Democrat didn’t waste a minute before jumping into the fight to defend the integrity of the RFS, which is why Craig is being presented

September 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Climate Cases Put Big Oil’s Behemoth Trade Group in Bull’s-Eye

by Ellen M. Gilmer (BloombergLaw) American Petroleum Institute named in state, local suits; Legal approach could pay off for plaintiffs, attorneys say — State and local governments taking Big Oil to court over climate change have a new target: the American Petroleum Institute—an approach that could pay off for plaintiffs

September 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Report Quantifies Impact of the Minnesota Bioincentive Program

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota has released the results of a new analysis that shows Minnesota’s Bioincentive Program is working to generate significant economic and job benefits for the state’s biobased industrial product companies. The Minnesota Bioincentive Program was enacted during the 2015 legislative season and

September 11, 2020 Read Full Article

From Americas to EU, Asia, Africa, Who’s Got What?: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Biofuel Mandates Around the World 2020

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, biobased mandates around the world. Where are the markets you can count on, how much can you count on? 65 countries in all, We’ll be focusing especially on new information out of Argentina, Brazil, Britain after Brexit, Canada, the European Union, China, India, Indonesia,

September 7, 2020 Read Full Article

How Farming Has Changed in Every State the Last 100 Years

(Houston Chronicle) Using current and past Census data, Stacker tracks the way the American farming industry has changed over the past century. Over the past century, American farming has changed dramatically. Crops with long histories like tobacco are still prevalent throughout the South, while many farmers across the country are now

September 5, 2020 Read Full Article

WIU School of Agriculture Part of Second Pennycress Research Grant

(Western Illinois University) Just 12 months after Western Illinois University Agriculture Professor Win Phippen announced the award of a $10 million federal grant to investigate the use of Pennycress as a commercial cash crop, a second grant has been awarded that dovetails into the initial grant and helps ensure a

September 1, 2020 Read Full Article

RNG’s Growing Role in Decarbonization Strategies

by Sam Lehr, David Cox and Mike Alaimo (RNG Coalition/Biomass Magazine) Renewable natural gas (RNG) has become an increasingly important part America’s push toward clean energy sources and technology. — … Renewable natural gas (RNG) has become an increasingly important part of this future as a proven way to reduce

August 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Low Carbon Cash Cover Crop: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to CoverCress

The Digest recently reported on CoverCress and why the U.S. Department of Energy’s $13 million grant for new high-value feedstock, pennycress, is so key. For an in-depth visual guide on how CoverCress is delivering new farm income and low carbon intensity feedstocks while producing cover crop benefits, how it fits between

August 28, 2020 Read Full Article

NBB Launches Ad Campaign Urging President to Reject “Gap” SRE Petitions

(National Biodiesel Board) NBB encourages farmers, biodiesel producers to ask President Trump to keep his promise — The National Biodiesel Board today launched a radio advertising campaign in six Midwestern states, urging President Donald Trump to keep his promise on the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ads will run for two weeks

August 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo’s Historic $900 Million Offtake Deal with Trafigura Group

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, Gevo entered into a long term, take or pay Renewable Hydrocarbons Purchase and Sale Agreement with Trafigura Group, the largest contract in Gevo’s history. Trafigura is one of the world’s leading independent commodity trading companies with over $171B and over $54B in revenue and

August 21, 2020 Read Full Article

Democrats Turn to Rural Issues: Rural, Midwest Democrats Promote Infrastructure and Divergent Strategy From Trump Years

by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) Democratic leaders put a heavy emphasis on rural broadband and health care while criticizing the Trump administration and President Trump directly on trade, biofuels, climate change and the pandemic response. A western Pennsylvania soybean and hay farmer who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 spoke

August 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Parsing the Climate Message

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention featured a lengthy 11-minute take on Joe Biden’s climate and clean energy strategy that hammered home some of his big themes rather than the wonky details (which you can read here). The segment was heavy on optimism and

August 20, 2020 Read Full Article

17 Projects with 4 Billion Gallons, 9 Fast Emerging Players: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to California’s Green Rush

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At DigestConnect this past Thursday, we talked about the latest the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, how the LCFS relates to the Renewable Fuel Standard and energy values, we compared the value stack for 5 popular transport molecules – gasoline, diesel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and renewable

August 19, 2020 Read Full Article

DFL Leader Responds to President Trump’s Mankato Visit

by CJ Baumgartner (FOX 21 Local News) … One DFL senator has criticism on the president’s policies toward farmers. Assistant Minnesota Senate Minority Leader and District 19 Senator Nick Frentz says he’s glad to have any president come to the area to talk about key issues, including issues facing corn and

August 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Earnings Season – 5 Companies Remain Strong in Wild 2020

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2020 is a doozy for many biofuel and bioeconomy companies but here are 5 companies – several that were voted for The Digest’s Hot 50 companies – that are taking 2020 by the reins and succeeding through all the challenges thrown their way. In today’s

August 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo Looks to Acquire Two Additional Plant Sites

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber indicated on Aug. 10 that duress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may offer an opportunity for the company to acquire additional ethanol plant sites needed to meet expected demand for its renewable hydrocarbon products. Gruber discussed the issue during a second

August 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Building a Biobased Economy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to BIO in a Post-COVID-19 World

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC Digital in July, Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of the Industrial & Environmental Section at Biotechnology Innovation Organization shared this illuminating slide guide on how BIO is advocating for a resilient future, promoting LCFS in states and sustainable fuels at the federal level, advanced

August 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Peterson Working to Make Sure HEROES Act Ag Provisions Make It in Final Bill

by Mark Dorenkamp (Browfield Ag News) House Ag Committee chairman Collin Peterson says he and his colleagues are working to make sure ag provisions included in the HEROES Act are put in the next round of coronavirus relief. “Currently being negotiated now between the White House, the House, and the

August 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuels Project Led by John Sedbrook Awarded $13 Million from DOE

by Rachel Hatch (News Illinois State University) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a $13 million grant to a nationwide project led by Illinois State University. Professor of Genetics John Sedbrook will head up the project aimed to genetically strengthen a plant for use in sustainable energy efforts. “We’re

August 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Using E85 Fuel to Power Your Electric Car

by Dick Hagen (The Land) … So where does E85 fit into this challenge? As the fuel for a small internal combustion engine perched somewhere in your electric car which can be cranked up periodically as you motor across America. Once employed, this small engine then recharges your car battery

July 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Why Trump Is Quickly Losing Rural Support

by Patty Judge (The Gazette) Rural voters are growing tired of Donald Trump. Recently, the Iowa Poll put Vice President Biden one point ahead of President Trump and Iowa moved from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican” on the Cook Political Report. Even Fox News polls show Trump and Biden in a

July 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Pivotal Research Discovers Practices, Technologies Key to Sustainable Farming

by Anna Marie Tomczyk (Argonne National Laboratory/Phys.Org) … The practices that grain farmers use to produce their crops—managing fertility, tillage practice and crop rotations—influence the overall carbon footprint of U.S. agriculture. By using sustainable practices, farmers could substantially reduce their carbon footprint and become a vital partner to the biofuel

July 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Senators Press USDA for Biofuel Infrastructure Grant Flexibility

(Kansas Ag Connection/US AgNet) U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are pressing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to allow businesses that have received grants under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to use grant funds to cover project costs incurred any time in

July 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Prophet Tilts at Petroleum

by Mikkel Pates (AgWeek) South Dakota ethanol promoter Orrie D. Swayze likes to hear promotions for 30% ethanol blends in gasoline but thinks 50% would be better for the environment and human health. — … Swazey, 76, … became worried about Middle Eastern oil imports, and thought ethanol made from

July 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Rebuilding Minnesota’s Ethanol Industry

by Timothy J. Rudnicki (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) … That is why it is imperative for the Senate to include the financial aid package for the ethanol industry that was introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the next COVID-19 relief bill. While this aid package is much needed

July 1, 2020 Read Full Article

Our View: Politics: What Rural Areas Need from Legislators

(Mankato Free Press) … Here’s what rural Minnesota does need: It needs clean water and subsidized wastewater systems. It needs good government that gets state and federal subsidies to provide a life that provides a solid base of services but few luxuries. It needs good roads that can support more traffic and

June 29, 2020 Read Full Article

District of Columbia Sues 4 Oil Majors for Misleading Consumers on Climate Change

by Valerie Volcovici (Insurance Journal/Reuters) The attorney general for the District of Columbia on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp, BP Plc, Chevron Corp, and Royal Dutch Shell Plc for “systematically and intentionally misleading” consumers about the role their products play in causing climate change, the latest action by a

June 26, 2020 Read Full Article

AG Ellison Sues ExxonMobil, Koch Industries & American Petroleum Institute for Deceiving, Defrauding Minnesotans about Climate Change

(Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison) Claims violations of state and common law regarding consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, misrepresentation, failure to warn; seeks injunctive relief, restitution, and corrective public education campaign; Minnesota joins growing list of states and local governments holding fossil-fuel industry accountable for decades-long ‘campaign of deception’

June 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Fuels Expansion: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Next-Gen Renewable Fuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo is developing a platform to fund expansion projects in the next phase of its unique, next generation renewable fuels business. Their commercial-scale facilities are converting agricultural, forestry and other feedstocks to high value, low pollutant, low carbon substitutes for gasoline and jet fuel. So

June 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuels Caucus Town Hall Talks Ethanol Issues

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Members of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus held a virtual town hall Wednesday to discuss the challenges currently facing the ethanol industry and what can be done to help. Participating in the meeting were caucus members including Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), and Rodney Davis

June 18, 2020 Read Full Article

3 Things that Need to Happen for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Take Off

by Lloyd Ritter (Green Capitol LLC/Biofuels Digest) A timely new report came out recently on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), “Ready for Takeoff: Aviation Biofuels Past, Present, and Future,” written by the Atlantic Council (herein AC). The key takeaways are three-fold. First, aviation emissions are one of the most recognizable sources of

May 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Joni of Ernst Leads the Defense of the RFS

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Leading the defenses is Joan of Ernst, er, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa along with Tina Smith of Minnesota, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. Two Republicans, two Democrats, now urging the Trump Administration to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard and

May 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Ernst, Grassley, Bipartisan Senators Reject Legality of Waiving the RFS, Call on Administration to Protect Biofuels

(Office of Senator Joni Ernst) Ernst and her colleagues write, “We urge you to direct the EPA to reject all calls to waive the RFS. The RFS is more important now than ever as farmers, the biofuel sector, and rural America struggle to remain operating amid the COVID-19 crisis.” — U.S.

May 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Research Brief: Engineering Natural Selection in Microbes Has Implications for Biofuel Production, Addressing Antibiotic Resistance

(University of Minnesota) … “So many other things change around a gene at the same time, you can’t focus on how a single gene changes,” said Michael Travisano, a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior and the BioTechnology Institute. “This was a major limitation for understanding evolutionary

May 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Jet Fuel, Isooctane Gasoline, Ethanol and Isobutanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Low Carbon Drop-In Transportation Fuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo’s business strategy is to secure off take agreements for jet fuel and isooctane striking a price that gives attractive returns for project financing for large scale build out of capacity. But how? How will they build out IBA, jet and isooctane with project financing?

May 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Converting Ethanol Plants to Alternative Protein Production: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to White Dog Lab’s Microbiome-Derived Proteins

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest reported yesterday how White Dog Labs is giving a glimmer of hope to the ethanol industry by being able to convert ethanol production into alternative protein production thanks to their microbiome-derived biotech – and in just 9 months. Their offtake agreement with Cargill is

May 5, 2020 Read Full Article

From Food to Fuel – White Dog Labs Converts Ethanol Plant to Alternative Protein Production

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … White Dog Labs is starting to address the problem by bringing new markets to ethanol plants and corn farmers – starting with an ethanol plant in Minnesota and repurposing it for mass-production of alternative protein, especially crucial in a time when ethanol is hurting

May 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Bill Authorizes $600 Million to Support Biofuel Infrastructure

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, on April 28 announced the introduction of the Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020. The bill aims to provide funding for installing and converting fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by

April 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Available Now: Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Governor’s Council on Biofuels Presentations

(Minnesota Department of Agriculture) On April 6, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture hosted a meeting of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Biofuels which included presentations from Jeremy Martin, Clean Transportation Program, Union of Concerned Scientists, speaking on Relative environmental effects of ethanol, gasoline, and electricity and from Ron Alverson, American

April 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Wisconsin Biogas Gas Producer Sees Potential in Thermal Renewable Credits

by Frank Jossi (Energy News Network) Verified thermal energy credits could do for methane capture what renewable energy credits did for wind and solar power. — A Wisconsin company is the first to sign up for a new renewable natural gas tracking system that could help monetize the environmental benefits of

April 21, 2020 Read Full Article

15 Newest Projects – Who’s Got What Underway?

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) While the world may be at a standstill,there are still many projects going on and moving forward. But where are these projects? Who’s involved? How far along are they? What are they working on? From VTT BioFlex in Finland working on fuels oils and plastics

April 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Distillers’ Grains Disappear as Ethanol Plants Slow, Halt Production: Cattle Producers Forced to Find Replacement for Valuable Feed Source

by Laurie Bedord (Successful Farming) … Cattle require a specific diet to maintain proper nutrition and weight gain. For the past 10 years, Jon Auten has used the co-product from ethanol production as a source of energy and protein in his cattle ration. Using wet distillers’ grains in his cow-calf operation offers

April 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Great Plains Institute’s Latest Report: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) The Midwestern Clean Fuels Initiative, facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, is a broad coalition of fuels producers and marketers, nonprofit and research organizations, scientists and engineers, and agriculture and industry stakeholders. The coalition works to create economic benefits for the region through policy,

April 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Virus Weakens Markets for Renewable Energy — Industries Press Pause on Steep Growth Trajectory

by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) … Unlike fossil energy sources like US shale oil, where many operators may go bankrupt, renewables are poised to rebound as soon as demand returns—likely next year. The cratering price of oil has taken a big bite out of ethanol production in

April 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo Tightens Belt, Plans to Push Forward with Project Funding Amid COVID-19 Layoffs

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) announced today that due to the impact the COVID-19 virus has had on the economy and Gevo’s industry, Gevo has suspended production operations at its production facility in Luverne, Minnesota (the “Luverne Facility”) for the foreseeable future. In connection with the suspension of operations and the

April 1, 2020 Read Full Article

The Hand Sanitizer Market: A Salvation for Beleaguered Ethanol Producers, or Not?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) created exemptions allowing certain alcohol fuel permit holders to sell ethanol (alcohol) for use in the production of hand sanitizers. Consequently. Aemetis, Inc. said its 65 million

March 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol and Electric Vehicle Advocates Merging on Fuel Plan

(Energy News Network/Associated Press) After years of fighting their own policy battles, ethanol and electric vehicle advocates are tentatively banding together against a shared enemy: fossil fuels. More than two dozen organizations have been meeting for nearly two years in Minnesota to work on a “technology-neutral” policy proposal aimed at decarbonizing transportation,

March 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Celebrating the Women of the Ethanol Workforce

by Jessica Bennett (Renewable Fuels Association) RFA works hard every day to represent all of our members and the hard-working men and women that make these companies, and our industry, successful. More than ever before, representing our industry also means representing women in the renewable fuels industry. The number of women working

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Benson High School Students Tour CVEC

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Eighteen students from Benson High School toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) today to get a closer look at the ethanol production process. During the tour, the students learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment. “We

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Ridgewater College Students Tour CVEC

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Thirty-four students from Ridgewater College in Wilmar toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson yesterday to learn about ethanol and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) production. “The students were educated on the ethanol production process and its importance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Industry Added $2.3 Billion to Minnesota’s Economy in 2019

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Despite challenging conditions in 2019, Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.31 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to a new study by ABF Economics. In 2019, the industry produced 1.31 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.6 million tons of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS)

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo Secures Funding from Queensland Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) has been awarded part of The Queensland Waste to Biofutures (W2B) Fund to support the development of waste to biofutures projects in Queensland, Australia. The W2B fund provides targeted funding for pilot, demonstration or commercially scalable biorefinery projects in Queensland that use conventional waste streams or biomass

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

New Ethanol Bill Touted as Good for Farmers and the Environment

by Andrew Deziel (Lonsdale News Review) A bipartisan group of legislators have introduced a bill that would make Minnesota the first state in the nation to embrace E15, or gasoline with 15% ethanol, as the standard. The bill was introduced Monday in the House by Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, and in the Senate

March 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Congresswoman Angie Craig Leads Letter Reiterating Support for Biofuels, Reducing Carbon Emissions

(Office of Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN2)) Today, U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) delivered a letter signed by 11 members on the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus urging the Select Committee on Climate Crisis to include biofuels as a cost-effective and readily available solution for further decarbonization. “The Select

February 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Limited Biofuels M&A Activity in 2019, Stage Set for Potentially Busy 2020

by Bruce Comer (Ocean Park/Biofuels Digest) Biofuels Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity in North America was subdued in 2019. Only four operating biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuels plants were sold during the year. These four acquired plants were relatively small with a combined capacity of only 133 Million Gallons Per Year.

February 19, 2020 Read Full Article

North Dakota Soybean Processors Abandons Spiritwood Energy Park Site

(North Dakota Soybean Processors) After more than three years, $6 million of investment and thousands of hours of management time, North Dakota Soybean Processors announced that it is abandoning its efforts to build a large-scale soybean crushing facility at the Spiritwood Energy Park in Spiritwood, North Dakota. “We made every

February 18, 2020 Read Full Article

New Study: Despite Policy Challenges, Ethanol Industry Significantly Benefited Economy in 2019

(Renewable Fuels Association) Policy obstacles—especially ongoing trade disputes and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s granting of RFS compliance waivers to dozens of small refineries —dampened the U.S. ethanol industry’s economic contributions in 2019, according to a new study released today at the Renewable Fuels Association’s 25th annual National Ethanol Conference. Still,

February 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Triton High School Tours Al-Corn Clean Fuels

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Eight students from Triton High School toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel today to learn about renewable energy production. During the tour, the students learned about the different components of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, grain storage, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation,

February 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo/Agri-Energy Earns Sustainability Certification from an Independent International Watchdog Group, the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), a company producing a new generation of low-carbon, drop-in, liquid transportations fuels, has received certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The certification is for Gevo’s sourcing of sustainable corn at its production facility in Luverne, Minnesota, and its production of intermediate feedstock Isobutanol. This

February 7, 2020 Read Full Article

WEBINAR: CoverCress Inc.: Adding Farmer Revenue by Providing the 1st Low Carbon Intensity Cash Cover Crop on Unused Land Over Winte

by Cris Handel (CoverCress Inc./CAAFI) Our conclusions from interactions with 500+ farmers over the last 3 years:  CoverCress harvest date and $50+/acre cash margin (via yield) are the top 2 drivers for farmers.  Post corn harvest planting methods fit enough farmers for 3 years in the southern half

January 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Minnesota Corn Growers Rolls out Biofuels Effort: The Better Fuel Initiative Will Promote Biofuels Policy, Outreach Efforts and Increased Use.

(Farm Progress/The Farmer/Minnesota Corn Growers Association) The Minnesota Corn Growers Association launched a new initiative last week at Ag Expo that will promote biofuel use, awareness and research. Through the Better Fuel Initiative, MCGA leaders seek to build on the momentum for biofuels in Minnesota. Stations offering E15, a blend of

January 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Crown’s Innovative Pretreatment System Revolutionizes Renewable Diesel (HVO) Operations.

(Crown) Crown, a global leader in the oilseed processing industry, introduces a game-changing Renewable Diesel Pretreatment System that doubles hydrotreater catalyst life, yields the industry’s highest output of pretreated product, and guarantees product quality specifications, regardless of feedstock. By maximizing contaminant removal, Crown’s Renewable Diesel Pretreatment System delivers the cleanest possible

January 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Minnesota Youth Climate Justice Summit — February 26, 2020 — St. Paul, MN

The Youth Climate Justice Summit is a chance for youth to experience first-hand how to participate in government. Meet with MN Legislators that represent your district to talk with them about why we care about climate change and social justice. It is also a chance for you to meet youth

January 16, 2020 Read Full Article

ONLINE Summer Institute for Climate Change Education — July 22-24, 2020

(Climate Generation) Join together with educators from across the country this July 22-24 for an impactful training on climate change education! Teachers from all backgrounds and subjects are invited to attend and learn new tools, skills, and resources to teach climate in science, social studies, ELA, environmental studies, geography, art,

January 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Gevo Contracts with Three Dairies to Provide Manure for Conversion into Biogas

by Patrick M. Graham (Proactive Investors) Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO) announced Wednesday that it has contracted with three dairies to provide manure that the company will convert into pipeline quality biogas (renewable natural gas). Combined, the three dairies expect to generate about 350,000 MMBTU biogas per year for sale to off-takers or

January 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Economics: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to REG’s Biodiesel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From GHG emissions and carbon savings to growing public policy support, REG is working hard on improving biodiesel’s LCFS value. Check out this Slide-Guide from REG’s Director of Government Affairs, Lindsay Fitzgerald’s presentation at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco to get the latest on states

January 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Five Reasons Midwestern States Need a Clean Fuel Standard

by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) … Here are five reasons now is the time for Midwestern States to get started on a clean fuel standard. Accelerating Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles are growing in the Midwest, but need a boost. While the Midwest leads the nation in biofuel and wind

January 10, 2020 Read Full Article

A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest

(Great Plains Institute) This Initiative is exploring a clean fuels policy, at the state or regional level, as a marketdriven approach to achieving our economic, energy security, climate, environmental, and public health goals. This white paper presents policy design considerations that are intended to inform further discussion of new and

January 8, 2020 Read Full Article

OPINION: 2019 Brought Some Good Ethanol News for Retailers

by Cassie Mullen (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) As we enter this new decade of the 2020s, the future looks incredibly bright for higher blends of ethanol. Here are a few of the highlights we experienced in 2019 that will no doubt lead to continued expansion in the new year. E15

January 3, 2020 Read Full Article

The Digest’s Biofuels Mandates Around the World 2020

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 64 countries have targets or mandates – but how much where, and when, and what? Besides the EU, the major blending mandates that will drive global demand are those set in the US, China and Brazil – each of which has set targets – or, in

January 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Advanced Biofuels – Where Are the Gallons?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From what is an advanced biofuel to why, we take a look at the gallons, the ethanol blend wall, the residue capacity, and over 30 advanced biofuels projects from around the world to watch. In today’s Digest, a Digest 2020 Multi-Slide Guide on advanced biofuels that

December 27, 2019 Read Full Article

Peruvian Team Braves Minnesota Cold To Learn About U.S. DDGS

(U.S. Grains Council) A Peruvian team of poultry and beef producers discussed corn and ethanol production in addition to how the quality of DDGS is controlled from the receiving of grain at the ethanol plant through the final loading into railcars and trucks — A chill in the air did

December 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Delta Enters Offtake Agreement with Gevo for 10 Million Gallons Per Year of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Creates Long-Term Carbon Solution

(Gevo) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) – Delta’s work to create a sustainable future continues with a long-term offtake agreement under which Delta will purchase 10 million gallons per year of advanced renewable biofuels from Gevo. Sustainable aviation fuels provide significant environmental benefits because the lifecycle carbon footprint can be up to

December 18, 2019 Read Full Article

MN Biofuels Names Hutchinson Co-Op 2019 Distingusihed Retailer; Releases 2019 Annual Report

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) named Hutchinson Co-Op its 2019 Distinguished Retailer at the release of the former’s 2019 Annual Report in Bloomington on Dec 13. “Hutchinson Co-Op was a recipient of the highly successful Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership program. It began offering E15 at the end of

December 17, 2019 Read Full Article

Water-Based Tech Converts Biomass into Food Ingredients – Renmatix and Cargill Sign Joint Development Agreement

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Functional food ingredients from unused plant materials is just what Renmatix and Cargill are aiming to explore with their new joint development agreement, but what makes this breaking news even more fascinating is that Renmatix is using their proprietary Plantrose Process which uses only water,

December 16, 2019 Read Full Article

When Negative Is Good – Carbon Negative: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Biojet Fuel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Noone wants to be negative…unless they are talking about carbon negative of course. The aviation industry has been all abuzz about lowering their carbon footprints for years, then carbon neutral, now carbon negative. According to Gevo’s Timothy Cesarek, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, the carbon footprint

December 14, 2019 Read Full Article

Govs. Walz and Noem for Support of E30

(Grand Rapids Herald Review) Recently, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, along with South Dakota Gov. and coalition vice chair Kristi Noem, sent a letter to President Trump urging the administration to consider 30 percent ethanol blends, or E30, as a way to reduce toxic aromatics

December 13, 2019 Read Full Article

For Trump Loyalist Rep. Jim Hagedorn, Ethanol Rules Pose a Challenge

by Gabe Schneider (MinnPost) In August, Corn Plus, one of the oldest biofuel plants in the state of Minnesota, closed. Forty employees lost their jobs. The reasons for a slump in the biofuels industry are many, but one stands out: a Trump administration policy allowing a substantial number of gasoline refineries

December 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Noem: State to Lead Charge for E30 Adoption

By Dan Crisler (Watertown Public Opinion) The South Dakota government plans to lead the charge in persuading the nation to adopt E30, Gov. Kristi Noem said Wednesday afternoon. Noem made that declaration to Glacial Lakes Energy shareholders, who convened for an annual meeting at the Codington County Extension Complex. READ

December 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Klobuchar Leads Letter Expressing Concern that the Newly Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Blending Targets Will Be Undermined by Continued Abuse of ‘Hardship’ Waivers

(Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) Klobuchar has spent months calling for an end to the harm caused by abuse of hardship waivers — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led a public comment letter last week to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing concern over the proposed supplemental