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February 2013 Newsletter
Executive Director's Report 
Welcome to the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Buzz.  In the last issue of the Buzz I noted many consumer and environmental benefits are associated with Today's 21st Century Biofuels.  Since the last issue of the Buzz went out, a number of you have asked me about a biofuel called E15 and the environmental benefits of biofuels.  Here is a nutshell version of some answers to those questions.

In June 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved adding 85% gasoline to 15% ethanol for use as a motor fuel in 2001 and newer light duty vehicles. This mixture of ethanol and gasoline is called E15 (more accurately, it should be nicknamed "Eco-15"). (More E15 Info from MBA) E15 went through about six (6) million miles of testing before it was approved for use in about 70% of the gasoline powered vehicles on the roadways today.  No other fuel has received this amount of testing!  The bottom line:  "The Stuff Works!"...............
Recent  News Available Through the MBA Web Homepage 
1. HOW DO YOU LOVE OIL? Video from Fuels America

2. Summer Drought Impacts Ethanol In Minnesota

3. Letter from Secretary Steven Chu to Energy Department Employees Announcing His Decision Not to Serve a Second Term

4. Corn Shortage Idles 20 Ethanol Plants Nationwide

5. EPA Proposes 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards

6. Mixed Messages for Advanced Biofuels

7. Successful Legal Challenge to Renewable Fuel Standard Likely to Have Minimal Long-Term Impact on Biofuels

8. Heron Lake BioEnergy ethanol plant being sold

Other Recent  News  
MBA Administering an Ethanol Production Tour - Mini Grant Program

MBA will be providing grant funding for classrooms in high school level education.  The purpose for the funding is to enable students and teachers to participate in an educational tour and learning opportunity with a local Ethanol Production facility. The maximum award per school is one grant (up to $500). Application Deadline: March 6, 2013. Please consider recommending this program to a local school district.  Download Application 

Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits Granite Falls Energy

On January 14, 2013, Senator Amy Klobuchar met with representatives of Granite Falls Energy, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, and media and other guests. Discussions included a broad range of energy and environmental matters, the regenerative nature of biofuels and how biofuels are part of a sustainable energy future. Following the discussion, the Senator toured the GFE ethanol plant. View PHOTOS (scroll down).  

Governor's Biofuels Coalition

The Governors' Biofuels Coalition will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Poet's headquarters, 4615 North Lewis Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Coalition will host a reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at Foley's, 2507 S. Shirley Avenue. Accommodations are available at a group rate at the Club House Hotel & Suites, 2320 South Louise Avenue, Sioux Falls, 605-361-8700. Please mention that you are attending the Coalition's meeting at Poet. Please contact Larry@governorscoalition.orgor 402-651-2948 if you have any questions. Please RSVP at Gerri Monahan at gerri.monahan@nebraska.gov (402-471-2941) if you plan to attend.

Minnesota Producer Spotlight  
In case you missed it, the Producer Spotlight for Highwater Ethanol, with Brian Kletscher, is available on the MBA website in the
Newsletter Archive. Stay tuned later this month for our next Producer Spotlight! 
Join with other Renewable Fuels Supporters - 2013 MBA Membership Drive
February 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.
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 info@mnbiofuels.org. 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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