Press Releases
Winthrop, March 24 - Nineteen high school students from Norwood Young America visited Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop today to get a closer look at how clean, homegrown renewable fuels are produced.
The students, from Central High School, toured the various processes of ethanol production at the 108-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant.
“We are always pleased to welcome high school students to our plant and provide them with a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced,” said Scott Blumhoeffer, Vice-President at Heartland Corn Products.
During the tour, the students, from grades 10 to 12, learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, liquefaction and ethanol storage and shipment.
The ethanol plant tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota.
“These tours show students how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gases.
“These tours also provide them with a better understanding of the career opportunities in Minnesota’s ethanol industry,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Heartland Corn Products is one of the largest ethanol plants in Minnesota and was built in 1995.
Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School, accompanied the students during today’s tour.
“We were interested in the tour so we can learn about this renewable energy source that is so important to Minnesota’s agriculture economy. This will also help make the students more informed fuel consumers,” he said.
Earlier this month, ABF Economics released a report that said Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s economy in 2015.
Mesik added that ethanol is part of the curriculum for a small gas engines class on fuel and fuel systems at Central High School.
Norwood Young America's Central High School students touring Heartland Corn Products.
Minneapolis, March 24 - In the last two weeks, over 40 high school students visited Heartland Corn Products to better understand how clean, Minnesota-grown renewable fuel is produced.
The students, from Arlington’s Sibley East High School and Norwood Young America’s Central High School, toured Heartland Corn Products on March 14 and March 24 respectively to get a deeper look at the various processes of ethanol production.
At both tours, the students, from grades 10 to 12, learned about the different components of production at an ethanol plant including incoming grain grading and handling, fermentation, grain storage, liquefaction and ethanol storage and shipment.
Minnesota is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the country. Last year, Minnesota ethanol producers delivered a record 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol which in turn contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s economy.
“We were interested in the tour so we can learn about this renewable energy source that is so important to Minnesota’s agriculture economy,” said Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School.
Heartland Corn Products is one of the largest ethanol plants in Minnesota with an output of 108 million gallons a year and was built in 1995.
“We are always pleased to welcome high school students to our plant and provide them with a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced,” said Scott Blumhoeffer, Vice-President at Heartland Corn Products.
Included in the tours was dried distiller grain production and storage. Dried distiller’s grains (DDGs) are a high-protein animal feed. In 2015, Minnesota’s ethanol industry produced 3.6 million tons of DDGs, which was sufficient to meet the feed requirements of the entire inventory of cattle and calves in the state.
Both school tours were organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents Minnesota’s ethanol industry.
“These tours show students how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gases.
“These tours also provide them with a better understanding of the career opportunities in Minnesota’s ethanol industry,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Sibley East High School’s agriculture science teacher, Jeff Eppen, said it was important for students to get a better understanding of the ethanol industry and how it is produced, adding some of the school’s former students have been employed at Heartland Corn Products.
“A unique part about agricultural education is the instructor, students and community help decide the curriculum for their school. We as a school have decided that we want biofuels as a part of our Ag education,” he added.
Sibley East High School students touring Heartland Corn Products.
St Paul, Mar 30 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM today rewarded drivers who chose to fuel up with E15 at St Paul Minnoco during an hour-long promotion.
From 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded 20 drivers who chose E15 over regular unleaded with prizes such as $25 in cash, St. Paul Saints tickets, Applebee's giftcards and KS95 merchandise.
During the promotion, E15 was priced 20 cents lower per gallon than regular unleaded.
KS95 personality, Darrin Stone, was on site to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15 and handed out prizes.
This is the fourth time MBA and KS95 have teamed up at a Twin Cities gas station to promote and educate consumers on the benefits of using E15.
"For four consecutive months, we have gone to the ground with KS95 to directly engage with consumers and educate them about E15. Drivers are interested in using a fuel that has a high octane, is cheaper than regular unleaded gas, better for the environment and beneficial to Minnesota's economy," said Tim Rudnicki, MBA executive director.
Minneapolis, April 11 - Fourteen students from Butterfield-Odin visited the Heron Lake Bioenergy ethanol plant on April 8 to get a better understanding of clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy.
During the 90 minute tour, the students were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Heron Lake Bionergy, which produces 61 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“We were pleased to welcome the students from Butterfield-Odin High School. Science plays an important role in ethanol production and tours like this give students a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced,” said Brodie McKeown, plant manager at Heron Lake Bioenergy.
During the tour, the students, all from the 11th grade, learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, liquefaction and ethanol storage and shipment.
The ethanol plant tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota.
“We organize these tours to show students how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gases.
“These tours also provide them with a better understanding of the career opportunities in Minnesota’s ethanol industry,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Heron Lake Bionenergy, which first began production in 2007, currently has 42 employees.
Ben Petzel, science teacher at Butterfield-Odin, accompanied the students during today’s tour.
“I wanted my students to visit an ethanol plant because we study alternative fuels in earth science and chemical reactions in chemistry. This year we specifically learned how to balance the chemical reaction that takes place when ethanol is burned.
“By touring an ethanol plant, my students can gain a better visual understanding of the concepts we have learned this year,” he said.
Petzel said the tour also educated his students on the value and necessity of alternative fuel sources.
“I do not have any former students that I know of that work in the ethanol industry. However, I could envision some of my current students becoming interested in careers in this industry following this field trip,” he added.
Lamberton, Apr 27 - Close to 70 high school students from Pipestone Area High School visited Highwater Ethanol today to get a better understanding of how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced.
During the tour, the students were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol as well as potential career opportunities in the ethanol industry.
“By hosting students at our facility for tours, it is our goal to have them learn about the agriculture industry, ethanol industry and how important these two industries are in everyone’s life.
“The students were also briefed on the skills required to work at an ethanol facility. They were able to watch and learn from our employees. Our goal was to leave the students with a positive impression of the ethanol industry and the use of ethanol in our transportation fuels,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The students, from grades 11 to 12, toured Highwater Ethanol’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility and energy center.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Highwater Ethanol is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“We organize these tours to show students how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It produced 59.42 million gallons of ethanol in 2015 and currently has 41 full-time employees.
Kletscher said ethanol plants employ a wide variety of professionals. For the business operations side, professionals with skills in business administration, finance, accounting, human resources and agriculture economics are required.
For facility operations, he said skills required include bio-systems engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry, knowledge in computer systems, renewable energy technology, boiler operations, water treatment, mechanical experience, corn grading as well as welding and master electrician experience.
“We have also trained employees at our site to acquire the skills to perform their job. Most important is to have a positive attitude and be able to work with other people,” Kletscher said.
Richard Schroyer, a biology teacher at Pipestone Area High School, accompanied his students during today’s tour.
“I think it is very important to expose students to alternative energy resources, especially the ones right in our own backyards,” he said.
Schroyer added his students have learned about alternative energy sources and conducted labs on biofuel enzymes.
Janesville, May 3 - On April 28, the Guardian Energy ethanol plant in Janesville hosted 24 children at its inaugural Take Your Child To Work Day.
Coinciding with the national Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work day which is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in April, Guardian Energy used the opportunity to engage and educate children on how clean-Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced.
“Take Your Child To Work Day is an event that our HR Manager, Mindy Jendersee, had worked with in the past. When she proposed that the Guardian Energy ethanol plants participate, the whole team enthusiastically supported the idea.
“What a terrific way to have our staff engage with their kids and actually show them what it is they do every day. In addition, we are all very proud of the work we do to provide a clean, efficient, alternative to petroleum-based fuel and this event offered a great educational opportunity as well,” said Mike Jerke, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The Guardian Energy plant in Janesville is a locally-owned ethanol plant and is one of three ethanol plants operated by Guardian Energy Management. The other two plants are in Hankinson, North Dakota and Lima, Ohio. Guardian Energy’s Take Your Child To Work Day was held concurrently at the Hankinson and Lima plants.
The Guardian Energy facility in Janesville produces 130-million gallons of ethanol a year, has 47 employees and is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Among the activities at its first Take Your Child To Work Day included a briefing on Guardian Energy’s operations, a tour of the ethanol production facility, experiments to understand ethanol as well as some games.
Troy Lau, process operator at Guardian Energy, said both his sons, Cody, 11, and Aiden, 5, enjoyed the plant tour and classroom experiments.
For Jeremy Staloch, the wide-array of activities planned for the children were impressive. A shift leader at Guardian Energy, Staloch brought his son, Riley, 13, and daughter, Destiney, 7.
“I personally thought it was great and really liked how it all went. There was a little something for everyone. I myself enjoyed giving the tour to the kids and tried to find as much hands on stuff as possible. I was surprised at the questions I got from some of the younger kids,” he said.
Lamberton, May 13 - Twenty-five students from Tracy Area High School toured Highwater Ethanol today to get a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.
During the two-hour-long tour, the students toured the various processes of ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which delivered 59.42 million gallons of ethanol in 2015.
“The opportunity to host Tracy Area High School for this tour was fantastic for the students as well as Highwater Ethanol employees.
“By sharing our knowledge of the ethanol industry and the agriculture industry, we hope to have an impact on these students as they look forward to continuing their education and eventually head into their respective working careers,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater
Ethanol.
The students, comprising of freshmen to seniors, toured Highwater Ethanol’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.
“We also informed the students of the different job opportunities available in the ethanol industry and the related agricultural industry,” Kletscher said.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Highwater Ethanol is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“With these tours, we are able to educate students on the importance of a homegrown renewable fuel and how it continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It currently has 41 fulltime employees.
Paul Skoglund, agriculture educator at Tracy Area High School, accompanied his students during today’s tour.
“Ethanol is such an important industry in this area - from the production of the corn, to the workers producing the product, to the transportation of the product, to the consumer using it.
“It is an important part of our economy the students need to learn about,” he said.
Benson, June 10 - The Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company’s (CVEC) ethanol plant in Benson today celebrated its 20th anniversary.
“CVEC has been in the ethanol industry 20 years supporting rural America, providing jobs, supporting a clean environment and returning capital and infrastructure to the rural
community,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
Built as a 15 million gallon-a-year ethanol plant in 1996, CVEC has grown into one of Minnesota’s largest ethanol plants with an annual production volume of 50 million gallons
and has become an integral part of Benson’s economy.
As part of the festivities today, CVEC hosted a luncheon and presentations for its shareholders, employees, industry partners and current customers at the Benson Municipal
Airport. This was followed by tours of its ethanol plant for members of the community.
“Our 20-year anniversary celebration is an opportunity to share our appreciation for the support we have had over the last 20 years with everyone that has been part of CVEC’s
continuing success,” Friese said.
CVEC currently has 50 employees and is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade association that represents Minnesota’s renewable fuels industry.
“For 20 years, CVEC has played an active role in reducing prices at the pump, giving consumers access to cleaner fuels and reducing our nation’s dependency on foreign oil,” said
Tim Rudnicki, executive director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Construction of the CVEC plant began in 1995 by the Chippewa Valley Agrafuels Cooperative (CVAC).
“The main reason we started the ethanol plant was to add value to our corn, because in West Central Minnesota, our prices were very low. The ethanol plant not only gave us better prices,
but it created jobs and put money back into the area with dividends,” said Dale Tolifson, a director at CVEC and CVAC.
In total, CVEC has 975 cooperative owners, with the majority living within a 50-mile radius of the plant.
“With 975 local members of the cooperative, an amazing and dedicated staff, and great support from our local communities and area farmers, CVEC is very proud to be able to
continue these efforts for the next 20 years and beyond,” Friese added.
Caption : (From left to right) Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC, Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of American Coalition of Ethanol and Dale Tolifson, board member of CVEC and CVAC at CVEC's 20th Anniversary Celebrations at the Benson Municipal Airport.
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Claremont, Aug 2 - Al-Corn Clean Fuel today celebrated its 20th anniversary of producing clean renewable fuel and supporting Minnesota’s rural economy.
“It took courage and energy to create the organization that stands today as Al-Corn Clean Fuel; everyone played a significant role,” said Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn.
Al-Corn was established in 1994 by local farmers who were looking for new opportunities to add value to their corn corp. In 1996, Al-Corn commenced operations producing 10 million gallons of ethanol a year.
In 1998, Al-Corn expanded its capacity to 15 million gallons a year and three years later, it doubled its production to 30 million gallons a year. In 2007, it raised its output once more to 45 million gallons a year.
Doyal said a majority of Al-Corn’s shareholders today still live within a 20-mile radius of the plant. Even some of its board members like its current chairman, Rodney Jorgenson, have been with Al-Corn since 1994.
“When I think back over the last 20 years, I’m reminded of what can be accomplished when people band together with common purpose. As farmers, our goal was to increase the price of our corn through processing. I doubt any of us could have imagined the success we would have,” Jorgenson said.
In the last few years, Al-Corn’s has been producing 50 million gallons of ethanol annually and it recently announced it will expand its capacity in 2017 to produce 120 million gallons a year, which will make Al-Corn one of the largest ethanol producers in the state.
In conjunction with Al-Corn’s 20-year anniversary, it sponsored E85 promotions at two Kwik Trips in Owatonna and hosted a celebratory dinner with shareholders, industry partners and local and state government officials at the Four Season Building on the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna.
Al-Corn is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade association that represents Minnesota’s renewable fuels industry.
“For 20 years, Al-Corn has played an active role in reducing prices at the pump, giving consumers access to cleaner fuels and reducing our nation’s dependency on foreign oil,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
In the past 20 years, Al-Corn has processed over 226 million bushels of corn and supported the corn farmers in Claremont and its surrounding areas.
During its two decades of operations, Al-Corn has increased its ethanol yield per bushel to 2.85 gallons per bushel and reduced its energy usage by over 35 percent.
“As the membership of Al-Corn looks to the future, the standard that guides the cooperative is the same as it has always been: dynamic growth to protect and enhance the value of processing so that all members benefit,” Doyal said.
Picture Caption : Rep. Tim Walz talks to Randall Doyal On Al-Corn's Expansion Plans
Minneapolis, Aug 26 - Rep. Tim Walz visited Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont on Aug 24 to learn more about the plant's upcoming expansion exercise and reiterate his support for clean Minnesota-produced renewable biofuels.
Walz was briefed on Al-Corn's $146 million expansion exercise which will provide a significant boost for the economy in Claremont and its surrounding towns.
"Visiting Al-Corn in Claremont is such a wonderful reminder that we can use our American ingenuity to control our own energy destiny and revitalize our economy at the same time. I am proud of the work we do in southern Minnesota to create a new energy future for our nation and the innovation that moves us forward," he said.
Al-Corn's expansion exercise will raise the plant's annual production capacity to 120 million gallons a year from 50 million gallons currently. Once completed, Al-Corn will be one of the largest ethanol producers in the state.
"Over the last 20 years, Al-Corn has supported the economy of Minnesota and our rural communities and we will continue to do so. Once we have completed our modernization and expansion project, we will be able to create additional value for farmers in the region, produce more livestock feed and biodiesel feedstock, and provide Minnesota's transportation sector with more clean, renewable fuel," said Randall Doyal, Al-Corn's CEO.
During the visit, which was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Walz said the huge jump in E15 sales in the first half of the year in the state was proof that Minnesotans want clean homegrown renewable fuels.
In the first half of the year, E15 sales in Minnesota reached 2.77 million gallons, 90 percent of the total amount sold in 2015 (3.09 million gallons).
“Congressman Walz’s visit today highlight’s his commitment to clean renewable biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Thanks to the RFS, the ethanol industry supports over 18,000 jobs and contributes $2 billion to the state’s economy. Every dollar spent on ethanol in Minnesota keeps that dollar in our state and reduces harmful CO2 emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Picture caption (from left to right) : Todd Thoen (Al-Corn board director), Tim Rudnicki, Rep. Tim Walz, Randall Doyal, Rodney Jorgenson (Al-Corn board chairman) and Roger Toquam (Al-Corn board secretary).
Minneapolis, Aug 29 - Diesel Dogs Fuel Service has become the first fuel distributor in Minnesota to offer pre-blended E15, paving the way for higher consumption of locally produced clean renewable E15.
The St Paul-based distributor delivered its first gallons of pre-blended E15 this week to its municipal and corporate fleet customers in the Twin Cities metro area. It will soon offer preblended E15 to retail customers as well.
“We hope that by taking the initiative to market E15 to our ever increasing customer base, that we can increase renewable energy awareness to the general public and at least offer them a choice that will benefit all of us in the long term,” said Kevin Harvey, CEO of Diesel Dogs.
By offering pre-blended E15, Diesel Dogs will make E15 more accessible to consumers.
According to a 2015 study by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), most existing fuel dispensing infrastructure components, including underground storage tanks, are compatible with E15.
Fuels sold at retail stations such as regular unleaded - which includes 10 percent ethanol - and E85 are purchased at fuel terminals. However, none of the fuel terminals in the state currently offer pre-blended E15.
As such, retailers have had to blend E15 at their stations by installing blender pumps. With the availability of pre-blended E15, retailers will be able to offer E15 without blender pumps.
In rare cases where the infrastructure isn’t compatible with E15, stations will only need to make minor modifications to their equipment to make it E15-compatible.
“Diesel Dogs added E15 to our family of products to advance our position as a clean fuel provider reducing emissions. By doing this, our customers and potential new customers will be able to lower by-products released into the air we breathe,” said Doug Daniels, Fuel and Lubricant Specialist at Diesel Dogs.
Making E15 the new regular fuel in Minnesota, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago, would eliminate an additional 358,000 tons of CO2 annually.
“We’ve seen a growing demand for E15 but pre-blended E15 has not been available and this has prevented the market from growing. We worked with Diesel Dogs to fill this significant void in the market,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
He said many retailers have expressed their interest in offering E15 but aren’t keen on installing blender pumps.
“Thanks to Diesel Dogs and their pioneering initiative, these retailers can now easily offer E15 and provide consumers with more choices. The data shows Minnesotans want to fuel up with E15,” Rudnicki said.
In the first half of this year, 2.77 million gallons of E15 was consumed in Minnesota, which was 90 percent of the total volume sold in 2015 (3.09 million gallons).
“We like the fact that we can simultaneously make a positive contribution to the environment, and the renewable energy effort. Renewable energy keeps jobs and financial resources in Minnesota,” Harvey said.
Minneapolis, Sept 6 - Rep. Tom Emmer recently met up with the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association to learn more about Minnesota's ethanol industry and show his support for clean homegrown renewable biofuels.
"Minnesota and America's heartland are prime locations for several emerging technologies that provide renewable energy, like ethanol, and reduce our foreign dependence on oil.
"Congress needs to remove bureaucratic barriers to competition and give consumers the freedom to choose what's best for them. What's good for Minnesota is good for the country and this is one way to benefit our great nation," he said.
During the meeting, Emmer was briefed on the latest technologies being adopted by Minnesota's ethanol industry and some of the challenges it faces both on a local and national level.
He was also briefed on the importance of the ethanol industry to Minnesota's economy.
"We'd like to thank Congressman Emmer for meeting with us to better understand Minnesota's ethanol industry and his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
"Thanks to the RFS, the ethanol industry contributed $2 billion to Minnesota's economy last year and supported over 18,000 jobs in the state," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Minnesota is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the country. In 2015, according to ABF Economics, the industry generated $7.37 billion gross sales for Minnesota businesses.
Minneapolis, Sept 16 - Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a proclamation declaring Sept 16, 2016 as Ethanol Day in Minnesota.
In the proclamation, he said Minnesota is a national leader in ethanol production and was the first state to fully embrace the use of ethanol in its fuel supply.
"Ethanol is very important to Minnesota's agriculture and energy economies. It reduces our dependency on foreign oil, while strengthening the economies across our state. It is also more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuels," Dayton said. " I am proud to proclaim 'Ethanol Day' in Minnesota, highlighting what an important resource it is for our state and our country."
He noted in the proclamation that all gasoline in Minnesota currently contains at least 10 percent ethanol and that there are over 40 stations offering E15, which can be used in all cars 2001 and newer.
"Without ethanol, we would roll back years of progress by adding chemicals that produce cancer-causing emissions back into gasoline, once again becoming dependent on foreign oil and paying higher gas prices," Dayton added in the proclamation.
Minnesota is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the country. In 2015, the state produced 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol, which in turn contributed $2.13 billion to the state's gross domestic product.
"We thank Gov. Mark Dayton for recognizing the important role ethanol plays in our economy and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota.
"According to the University of Illinois, if all gasoline in Minnesota contained 15 percent ethanol, we would reduce an additional 358,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. That is the equivalent of removing 75,368 cars from Minnesota's roads per year," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
To read the Governor's proclamation on Ethanol Day, click here
St Paul, Sept 29 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM today teamed up to reward drivers who chose E15 (Unleaded Plus) at St Paul Minnoco during an hour-long promotion.
From 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded 18 drivers who switched to E15 (Unleaded Plus) over regular unleaded gasoline.
The prizes ranged from $25 in cash, Applebee’s gift cards, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, tickets to the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America as well as KS95 merchandise.
As an added bonus, E15 was priced 15 cents less per gallon than regular unleaded gasoline during the hour-long promotion.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, was on site to educate and reward drivers who switched to E15.
“This is the fifth time we’ve teamed up with KS95 to educate drivers in the Twin Cities on the benefits of using E15. We’ve found that drivers are eager to switch to E15 once they find out it’s cheaper than regular gas, is made in Minnesota and better for the environment,” said Tim Rudnicki, MBA executive director.
E15 sales in Minnesota as of July totaled 2.99 million gallons, nearly the same volume sold the whole of 2015 (3.09 million gallons).
Benson, Oct 6 – Twenty-one high school students from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS) High School visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company plant today to get a better understanding of how clean homegrown renewable energy is produced.
The students, which included three exchange students from an agricultural high school in Norway, toured the various process of ethanol production at CVEC, which has an annual output of 50 million gallons.
“We were pleased to welcome KMS High School to learn how Minnesota-grown clean renewable energy is produced. Ethanol production plays an important role in boosting the economy in rural Minnesota and tours like these highlight the necessary skills to pursue a career in the ethanol industry,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
The students, from grades nine to 12, learned several different components of ethanol production during the tour including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. CVEC, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“Today’s visit is the sixth plant tour we’ve organized this year. It’s important for students to understand how ethanol produced right here in Benson creates jobs, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and reduces prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Christa Williamson, KMS High School’s agricultural education instructor, said many of the students that participated in the tour were from farms that supply corn to Minnesota’s ethanol industry.
“The ethanol industry is an important component of agriculture, especially in West Central Minnesota. It is important to show our students the potential jobs, as well as how commodities we grow provide energy,” she said.
Minneapolis, Oct 12 – Taurus Energy AB has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s latest vendor member.
Taurus Energy, which is based in Sweden and has operations in Minnesota, is a research and development company that has developed, among others, new yeast technology for ethanol production.
“We are pleased to welcome Taurus Energy as our latest vendor member. Taurus Energy has made new forays into yeast technology and we look forward to working with them as they expand their presence in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Taurus Energy, which holds over 10 patent families, provides ethanol producers the company’s technology and methods to produce ethanol from new plant material as well as increase yields and profitability in corn ethanol production.
“For one thing there already exists a cultural bond between Sweden and Minnesota, including an ongoing technology exchange in the bioenergy field between our two countries.
“From Taurus, we hope to participate in biofuel job-creating projects from the timberland in northern Minnesota and to work with existing corn ethanol plants to increase their yield and profitability from added cellulose ethanol production,” said Eddy Christensson, COO of Taurus Energy’s Minnesota operations.
In 2015, Taurus Energy and Canada’s Lallemand Biofuel & Distilled Spirits entered into a partnership to develop, market, sell and distribute the former’s Gen 2 XyloFerm yeast platform in the United States.
XyloFerm is a cellulosic yeast that offers minimal byproduct formation with a high tolerance for inhibitors common with cellulosic substrates.
Christensson said Taurus Energy and Lallemand are also currently in negotiations to supply its second generation yeast technology for Sweetwater Energy’s proposed bio-chemical / ethanol plant in Mountain Iron, Minnesota.
Picture Caption: Taurus Energy scientist at work at the company's lab in Gothernburg, Sweden