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January 2013 Newsletter
Executive Director's Report
What industry group of men and women supports 12,000 jobs, pumps $5 billion annually into the Minnesota economy, improves air quality and holds the price of gasoline down by $1.69 per gallon?  The price per gallon probably gave the answer away.  It's Minnesota's ethanol industry.

According to sound research, ethanol and other biofuels do provide tangible benefits for people and the environment.  For example, the typical household saved $1,200 at the pump thanks to ethanol displacing petroleum.  As for GHG emissions, compared to petroleum gasoline, ethanol from corn is on average 34% to 44% lower (Wang, 2012). 

Take a look at the topics below.  Do you see something of interest?  Or are there specific issues and topics you would like to see us explore here?  I invite you to call me at 612-924-6495 or send an email to [email protected].

Tim Rudnicki, Esq.
MBA Executive Director
Recent News

US EPA: Lisa Jackson resigns as EPA Administrator

Star Tribune: Ethanol firm Gevo to buy back $15M of its stock

Biomass Magazine: Ace Ethanol, Sweetwater Energy Inc., partner on cellulosic ethanol in Wisconsin

Ethanol Producer Magazine: CARD analysis considers outlook for RINs in 2013, 2014

Physicians for Social Responsibility: Corn-Based Ethanol: A Win for Public Health and the Economy

The Auto Channel: AAA Blunder on Ethanol Sets Off Firestorm of Criticism

Renewable Fuels Association: Fact check on New York Times Guatemala Corn/Ethanol Story

Ethanol Producer Magazine: Greenhouse to utilize CO2, waste heat from adjacent ethanol plant
Study Demonstrates Ethanol Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Available now on the MBA website is a study titled, "Well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from corn, sugarcane, and cellulosic biomass for US use" authored by Michael Wang et al. at the Argonne National Laboratory.

This is an exerpt from the abstract of the study: "Even when the highly debated land use change GHG emissions are included, changing from corn to sugarcane and then to cellulosic biomass helps to significantly increase the reductions in energy use and GHG emissions from using bioethanol. Relative to petroleum gasoline, ethanol from corn, sugarcane, corn stover, switchgrass and miscanthus can reduce life-cycle GHG emissions by 19-48%, 40-62%, 90-103%, 77-97% and 101-115%, respectively." READ FULL STUDY
Join with other Renewable Fuels Supporters - 2013 MBA Membership Drive
January is a great time to create a membership in MBA. You can take advantage of the 2013 membership drive to get a full year of benefits. MBA works to displace petroleum by delivering projects that educate about and advocate for biofuels that provide Minnesota Grown Energy for Today & Tomorrow! Please check out the Membership Overview for more information.
Producer Spotlight : Highwater Ethanol 
Stay tuned in the next two weeks for the first MBA Producer Member Spotlight, showcasing Highwater Ethanol from the perspective of CEO / General Manager Brian Kletscher.
Minnesota Bio-Fuels Buzz Newsletter 
Do you have colleagues who should be receiving the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Buzz newsletter? If so, we appreciate your help in referring them to the MBA newsletter sign-up. Email, Name, and Company is all it takes to complete the sign-up!
WANTED: Potential E15 Retailers
MBA is seeking potential E15 fuel retailers in Minnesota. If you or someone you know are a current fuel retailer and are interested in increasing your profitability with E-15 sales, please contact [email protected]. Please read the E-15 page on our website or view the E-15 Retailer Handbook for more information. In addition MBA is planning to hold an informational meeting on E15 in early 2013 - stay tuned!
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