EDITOR'S NOTE
Last week, Reuters, quoting unnamed sources, reported that the EPA has reversed its earlier proposal to reduce ethanol consumption in 2014 to 13.01 billion gallons from the 14.4 billion gallons stipulated by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Instead, it is now, according to the report, proposing ethanol consumption this year to be 13.6 billion gallons. (You can read the full story below).
The reason for the EPA's reversal, the report said, is the result of the huge outcry it received from ethanol supporters like us. And while a reversal is welcomed, the new ethanol consumption figures, if accurate, are far below the original renewable volume obligations under the RFS. In fact, 13.6 billion gallons is still under 2013's requirement which was 13.8 billion gallons. You can read more on why the EPA should stick to its original requirements in Tim's column below.
The EPA's final rule isn't expected to be announced until June, so there's still time for it to be altered. The fact that the report cites its sources for the story as "biofuel groups" indicates that the EPA's new proposal was leaked on purpose to increase the pressure on the White House and the EPA to revert back to the RFS' original requirements for 2014. Let's hope they do the right thing. Bending the rules for the benefit of the oil lobby would set a dangerous precedent.
Have a great summer!
|
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COLUMN:
Keep Looking Forward
Every runner has a set of tactics (or survival skills) they use to propel themselves across the finish line. For me, when I'm running a marathon, one of my tactics is to keep looking forward. The aim is to get far away from the starting line by putting my energy and focus on moving toward and crossing the finish line up ahead. Many of us think the U.S. EPA should do the same with respect to the Renewable Fuel Standard - Keep Looking Forward!
|
IN THE NEWS
Minn. Funds 5 Biofuel And Bioenergy Projects, Thermal RFP Soon
Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 23 - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has named five in-state bioenergy projects as recipients of NextGen Energy Grants.
U.S. May Adjust 2014 Corn Ethanol Target After Outcry : Sources
Reuters, May 23 - The Obama administration is likely to partly backtrack on proposed steep cuts to renewable fuel targets for 2014 when it finalizes a rule due out in June, industry sources said.
Global Ethanol Consumption To Reduce GHGs By Over 106 Million Tonnes In 2014
Global Renewable Fuels Alliance, May 21 - TORONTO, Canada - Today, as the International Transport Forum Summit gets under way in Leipzig, Germany, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) in cooperation with (S&T)2 consultants Inc. released their Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Forecast for 2014.
EPA May Revise RFS Proposal Following Feedback From Bioufuel And Ag Groups
May 19 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s final proposal for ethanol consumption under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014 will reflect comments it received from the biofuel and agriculture industry.
IRENA : Renewables Employ 6.5 Million Globally
Ethanol Producer Magazine, May 16 - The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has published the results of a study that determined 6.5 million people were employed by the renewable energy last year.
Read more here
Ten New E15 Stations In Wisconsin
Domestic Fuel, May 5 - Ten new E15 stations have opened in Wisconsin. With these 10 new stations, there are now 75 E15 stations across 12 states.
Minnesota Ag Co-op CHS Agrees To Buy Ethanol Plant In Illinois
Star Tribune, May 1 - CHS, Inc., the nation's largest farmer-owned cooperative, is getting back into the ethanol-making business, hoping that the third time is the charm.
Read more here
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pipeline Will Increase CO2; Ethanol Is A Cleaner Option
On May 1, 2014, an opinion piece titled, "Pipelines: Safest Way To Transport Oil, Gas" was published in the Brainerd Dispatch and contained several inaccuracies and misleading statements. We sent a response which was published on May 13.
|
|
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
 AgStar Financial Services
This month we spotlight Mankato-based AgStar Financial Services, which has provided financial services to the agriculture sector in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. We interviewed Mark Schmidt, vice president of industry specialties at AgStar. |
MBA ANNOUNCEMENTS
New E15 Station in Faribault
The Cenex in Faribault now offers E15 and is the seventh station to offer E15 in Minnesota. The Cenex in Faribault also offers E85 for flex-fuel vehicle owners. If you're in the area, drop by the Cenex and fill up on E15 and save. To find E15 stations in Minnesota, click here
The Business Case For E15
 The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association will be hosting a one-day seminar for retailers on the business case for E15 and E85 on June 18 at the Lake Calhoun Center in Minneapolis. The seminar will include regulatory information as well as how retailers stand to earn better margins by selling E15 and E85. If you are a retailer or know of a retailer that would be interested in offering E15 and E85, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information on our seminar.
Biofuels As Renewable Energy DVD For Students
MBA recently teamed up with the Minnesota Agriculture In The Classroom to produce a series of educational videos for high school students on biofuels. In total, we produced six videos which explained the process of producing ethanol from corn and crop residue, biodiesel from soybean, biomass energy from plant matter, finding new biofuel sources and the impact of renewable energy on engine performance.
Visit our official YouTube page to watch all the videos here
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
MBA is proud to announce that we are one of the supporting organizations for the Fuel Ethanol Workshop 2014 and the National Advanced Biofuels Conference and Expo. Information on both events are below:
Fuel Ethanol Workshop 2014 : June 19 - 12, Indianapolis, IN
Now in its 30th year, the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) provides the global ethanol industry with cutting edge content and unparalleled network opportunities in a dynamic business-to-business environment. The FEW is the largest and longest running ethanol conference in the world.
National Advanced Biofuels Conference : Oct 13-15, Minneapolis, MN  Produced by BBI International, this national event will feature the world of advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals - technology scale-up, project finance, policy, national markets and more - with a core focus on the industrial, petroleum and agribusiness alliances defining the national advanced biofuels industry. With a vertically integrated program and audience, the National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo is tailored for industry professionals engaged in producing, developing and deploying advanced biofuels, biobased platform chemicals, polymers and other renewable molecules that have the potential to meet or exceed the performance of petroleum-derived products.
|
|
