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Winthrop, March 14 - Seventeen students from Central High School in Norwood Young America toured Heartland Corn Products on March 10 to learn about ethanol production.

During the tour, the students learned about the different stages of the ethanol production process including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production / storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

The students who participated in the tour were from grades 9 to 12 and were from the school’s small engines class. 

“We were pleased to once again welcome students from Central High School Norwood to our plant and explain to them how ethanol is produced. These tours allow us to highlight locally produced, clean, renewable energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while bolstering the economy in Winthrop and in other parts of rural Minnesota,” said Gary Anderson, CEO of Heartland Corn Products.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). Heartland Corn Products is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

“As gas prices increase due to the war in Ukraine, tours like this are important to highlight the importance of how ethanol makes us more energy independent and reduces prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.

Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School, accompanied his students during the tour.

“Central’s students benefited greatly from this tour in several ways. For one thing, they are now more informed consumers of fuel when the time comes to drive up to the pump. They also now have a much greater appreciation for the role biofuels play in our agricultural economy in rural Minnesota. Buying ethanol is good for us on a local level. Lastly, the students now understand how ethanol can serve as a great source of octane for today’s fuel needs,” he said.

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Benson, April 5 - Eleven students from Ridgewater College toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) on April 1 to get a better understanding of the ethanol production process. 

“We were pleased to welcome students from Ridgewater College and provide them with a first-hand look at the ethanol production process, as well as an opportunity to learn about the benefits ethanol brings to our community, consumers and the environment,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

The students that participated in the tour were from the college’s Animal Nutrition class.

During the tour, they learned about the different stages of the ethanol production process including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production / storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). CVEC is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

“Ethanol boosts the economy in Minnesota, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, provides relief at the pump and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels. 

Kari Slinden, agriculture instructor at Ridgewater College, accompanied her students during the tour.

“My Animal Nutrition students learned more about the ethanol process and production of by-products they can use to feed their livestock. Many of my students feed distillers products and raise corn, so it is great to see the process from whole corn off a semi to products that can fuel their vehicles and feed their animals,” he said. 

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Minneapolis, April 6 - Carbon capture and storage solutions provider, Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC, has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as a vendor member.

“We are pleased to welcome Navigator CO2 Ventures as our latest member,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

Navigator CO2 Ventures is a company developed and managed by the Navigator Energy Services management team. Founded in 2012, the management team has safely constructed and operated over 1,300 miles of midstream infrastructure.

The company is currently developing a carbon capture and sequestration system, Heartland Greenway, that will provide ethanol producers and other industrial emitters long-term and cost-effective solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. 

“Our system will capture carbon from ethanol producers that is emitted during the manufacturing process, liquefy it, and transport it via pipeline to be safely and permanently stored underground,” said Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, VP of Government and Public Affairs at Navigator CO2 Ventures.

She said the carbon capture and storage system will have a project footprint that will cross Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. 

The project comprises of a 1,300-mile liquid-CO2 pipeline with permanent storage in Illinois. In Minnesota, the pipeline will go through Martin County at the state’s southern border.

“We are excited to join forces with the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association in advancing its mission to support the renewable fuels industry in Minnesota. The association’s reputation along with its vast network of ethanol producers will be a valuable partnership as we collectively put forward economic means of reducing the carbon footprint of homegrown biofuels and enable producers to create a green fuel in an increasingly greener fashion,” said Burns-Thompson.

Learn more about Navigator CO2 Ventures here.

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Picture caption: The Heartland Greenway carbon capture and sequestration system.

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Janesville, April 8 - Sixteen students from the University of Minnesota toured Guardian Energy on April 5 to get a closer look at the ethanol production process. 

During the tour, the students learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production / storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

The students were from two classes at the university - renewable energy and food engineering.

“We are always happy to provide tours of our manufacturing plant and appreciate the University of Minnesota bringing their students on-site to learn more about the ethanol production process, co-products and the role ethanol plays as a clean, renewable feedstock in our nation’s fuel supply chain. The ethanol industry is a vital economic driver in Janesville and in rural communities throughout Minnesota,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). Guardian Energy is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

“As energy prices rise, it’s important to highlight the role ethanol plays in lowering prices at the pump and making America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.

Min Addy, department of bioproducts and biosystems professor at the University of Minnesota, accompanied her students during the tour.

“Our tour of Guardian Energy provided students with real world experience which they would not receive in the classroom. During our tour, students were able to learn about the production process and related mass and energy balance,” she said.

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Lamberton, April 13 - Students from Wabasso High School’s crop science class toured Highwater Ethanol on April 7 to learn more about ethanol production.

“We are always happy to share our story with students. These tours give us an opportunity to explain to them how ethanol is produced and the vital role it plays in creating jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy independence and boosting rural economies throughout Minnesota,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.

During the tour, the students learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production / storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

The students were from grades 12. The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). Highwater Ethanol is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

“Tours like these also highlight how ethanol is reducing prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.

Lisa Roker, agriculture teacher at Wabasso High School, accompanied her students for the tour at Highwater Ethanol.

“Students learn best when they can experience things. It was great for students to see a process in real life, that had been discussed in class. Touring businesses also helps students learn what opportunities are available after high school,” she said. 

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Benson, April 20 - Seven students from Morris Area Secondary School toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) yesterday to learn about ethanol production. 

“We were delighted to host students from Morris Area Secondary. Ethanol production plays a vital role in Minnesota’s rural economy. Tours like this provide students the opportunity to learn about the aptitudes and skills required to work in the ethanol industry,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

During the tour, the students - from grades 10 to 12 - learned about the different stages of the ethanol production process such as income grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). CVEC is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

“Ethanol reduces prices at the pump, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.

Jennah Trefz, agriculture teacher at Morris Area Secondary, accompanied her students during the tour. 

“I believe my students gained useful insight towards the production and use of ethanol in fuel and other products to aid in consumer knowledge of product production. Along with this, students received information of potential job opportunities that would keep them in our rural communities with viable options for a successful career,” she said. 

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Lamberton, April 21 - Twenty-two students from Sleepy Eye High School toured Highwater Ethanol on April 20 to get a closer look at the ethanol production process.

During the tour, the students learned about the different stages of the ethanol production process such as income grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distillers grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

“It’s important for students to learn about the clean, locally grown, renewable energy being produced in Lamberton and in other parts of Minnesota. By sharing our knowledge, we hope students walk away with a better understanding of career opportunities, in addition to our industry’s contributions to rural economies, the environment and energy independence,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.

The students - from grades 9 to 12 - were from the school’s Natural Resources class.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Both Highwater Ethanol and Novozymes are members of MN Bio-Fuels.

“These tours are important in highlighting to students the role ethanol plays in reducing prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels. 

Mary Hoffmann, agriculture teacher at Sleepy Eye High School, said the tour provided her students with a better understanding of ethanol production as well as the benefits of using ethanol.

“I believe any time students can see something in person or “hands-on,” they learn so much more,” she said. 

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Minneapolis, April 22 - Over the next five months, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM will team up at various gas stations in the Twin Cities metro area to reward drivers who fuel up with E15.

Kicking off the campaign was an hour-long promotion at a Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth on April 21.

“These promotional events are aimed at educating drivers on the various benefits of fueling up with E15,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels. 

He said dates and locations of the upcoming promotional events will be posted on MN Bio-Fuels’ website and social media channels. 

During the promotion at the Holiday station in Plymouth, drivers who fueled up with E15 (Unleaded 88) were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, tickets to Minnesota United, gift cards to Red Cow and Red Rabbit and KS95 merchandise.

KS95’s personality, Carissa Sherman, was with MN Bio-Fuels staff at the station during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15. 

MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 will next be at the Holiday station on 4540 Centerville Road in St Paul on April 28 from 12 pm to 1 pm.