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September 2013 Newsletter
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Reflections on Hot Biofuel Issues:
It's About Your Quality of Life and the Next Generation
Think, for a moment, how you started your day. You probably flipped a light switch on, heated some breakfast, rode a bus or drove to your destination. Seldom do we have time to consider the energy sources used to brighten our homes or workplaces, cook meals and power a bus or other vehicles. Yet the type of energy we use, and where that energy comes from, has profound implications for our quality of life today and well into the future.
Energy used to power vehicles, for example, gives us great mobility and ease by which to move products that we use in our homes and workplaces. According to the Energy Information Administration, 28% of all the energy consumed in the United States is used for transportation. At present, 93% of the total energy used for transportation is provided by petroleum.
Where does all the petroleum come from? Anyone who watched the 2010 news coverage about the Deepwater Horizon and the estimated 210 million gallons of oil that gushed from the Macondo well into the Gulf of Mexico knows at least one source for petroleum. Unfortunately, three years later, despite the petroleum industry smoke screens, researchers now report the damage to portions of the Gulf is so severe that it could take decades or longer for the sea bottom's rich biodiversity to recover.
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Recent News Available Through the MBA Homepage
1. KSTP: Minn. to Raise Biodiesel Requirement to 10 Percent
2. Reuters: EPA to be hit hard in shutdown, could delay renewable fuel standard
3. Fuels America: POLL: 8 in 10 want E15 renewable fuel at their local gas station
4. Ethanol Producer Magazine: Gas Prices Stuck at $3 and Above, Ethanol Provides Price Relief at the Pump
5. The New York Times: Wall Street Exploits Ethanol Credits, and Prices Spike
6. USDA Newsroom: USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel
7. The New York Times: A New Divestment Focus: Fossil Fuels
8. The Baltimore Sun: Ability to break our dependence on foreign oil is threatened by the effort to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard
9. The Twin Cities Daily Planet: Community Voices | Are ethanol fuels better than petroleum?
10. Ethanol Producer Magazine: Buffalo Lake plant purchased by lender, restart expected soon
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Governor Dayton Proclaims 'BIOFUELS MONTH'
 On August 26, 2013 Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton officially proclaimed October 2013 as 'BIOFUELS MONTH'. The Governor's proclamation highlights the positive impact that both ethanol and biodiesel have on the state's economy, consumer savings, environment, and improving the overall quality of life for Minnesotans.
View the Biofuels Month Proclamation.
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Sign the Petition Requesting E15 Sales in Minnesota
 As part of the campaign to bring E15 to the marketplace so consumers can save money, keep energy dollars in Minnesota and help improve environmental quality, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association has unveiled a petition form for consumers to sign. We invite you to review the short petition and express your support for E15 by signing the petition here: MBA E15 PETITION
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In September, MBA welcomed two new Vendor Members: McGladrey LLP and AgStar Financial Services, ACA to our membership ranks. The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association genuinely appreciates the membership support of these two organizations.
 
Interested in MBA membership?
Please visit the Join MBA page for more information
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USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on September 12th, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making payments to support the production of advanced biofuel. USDA is making nearly $15.5 million in payments to 188 producers through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program. Full Press Release
New applicants will be accepted from October 1-31, 2013 for FY 2014 which starts in October. Interested parties producing advanced biofuels should contact:
Ron Omann | State Energy/Environmental Coordinator
Rural Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Minnesota Producer Spotlight
In August, Guardian Energy in Janesville, MN was featured in the Producer Spotlight. Comments were provided from both Tom Hanson, Vice President of Operations and Dean Reder, Chief Financial Officer. Please find the spotlight here (Producer Spotlights) as well as other previous spotlights.
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WANTED: Potential E15 Retailers
Grant funding ($$$) is now available to help a limited number of retailers update their fuel dispensing systems so they can offer consumers choice at the pump by making E15 available! If you are a fuel retailer and are interested in increasing your profitability with E-15 sales, please contact info@mnbiofuels.org for more details about the grant program. The transition to E15 sales can be made just a bit easier with the information MBA provides on the E-15 page or in the E-15 Retailer Handbook.
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MBA Hiring Communications & Education Coordinator
The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is currently accepting applications for the role of Communications and Education Coordinator.
More information about this opening and how to apply can be found here on our website. |
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Upcoming Events
10/23/2013 & 10/24/2013 - Tacoma, WA
Tacoma Fire Department Training Center
2124 Marshall Ave Tacoma, WA 98421
10/29/2013 - Albuquerque, NM
CNM Workforce Training Center - Room 101
5600 Eagle Rock Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
11/14/2013 - Pipestone, MN
Pipestone Fire Hall 118 2nd Ave. NE
Pipestone, MN 56164
- January 28, 2014 - Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, Des Moines, IA
- February 17-19, 2014 - National Ethanol Conference, Orlando, FL
- March, 2014 - 6th Annual Biofuels Beltway March, Washington, DC
- June 9-12, 2014 - Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Indianapolis, IN
VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR
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