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Picture caption (from left to right): Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels and Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels, with the 2021 First Half Report.
Minneapolis, Aug 12 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) released its 2021 First Half Report to its members at a networking event in Bloomington yesterday.
“During the first half of 2021, with increasing use of Covid-19 precautions and a growing number of vaccinated Minnesotans, we witnessed a rebound in somewhat “normal” activities including within the transportation sector,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
He said monthly E15 sales averaged 6.36 million gallons in the first six months of this year compared to 5.77 million gallons a month in 2020.
The number of stations offering E15 grew to 400 from 383 at the end of 2020 while MN Bio-Fuels carried out 148 localized and targeted E15 campaigns on social media that delivered 1.65 million ad impressions in the first half of the year.
The report also detailed the work carried out by MN Bio-Fuels in the areas of advocacy during the first six months of the year.
“The results of our advocacy work is embodied in the Agriculture Omnibus bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on June 26. The policy and funding changes will make $6 million available over two years to fuel retailers to offer E15,” Rudnicki said.
Due to pandemic restrictions earlier in the year, he said MN Bio-Fuels worked with its members to offer a series of virtual ethanol plant tours for high school and college students.
Meanwhile, MN Bio-Fuels announced 7201 Bass Lake Inc as its 2021 Distinguished Retailer.
The company runs a Holiday station that has been offering E15, E30 and E85 in New Hope for the past three years. Chris Robbins, owner of 7201 Bass Lake Inc, accepted the award.
“Chris and his team have worked consistently over the years to educate their customers on the benefits of using E15,” Rudnicki said.
Read the 2021 Half-Year Report here.
Picture caption : Rudnicki presenting the award to Robbins.
Minneapolis, Sept 16 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up on Sept 15 to educate drivers on a the benefits of using E15 during an hour-long promotion at a Holiday station in White Bear Lake.
Drivers who fueled up with E15 during the promotion were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, Stay & Play passes for St Croix casino in Turtle Lake, tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, packages to the Urban Air Adventure Park and KS95 merchandise.
KS95’s personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was at the station with MN Bio-Fuels staff during the promotion to talk to drivers on the many benefits of fueling up with E15.
“E15 reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, boosts Minnesota’s economy and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
The hour-long promotion was held from 12 pm to 1pm at the Holiday on 4540 Centerville Road in White Bear Lake.
In the first seven months of 2021, 47.49 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota. In 2020, a total of 74.39 million gallons of E15 was sold.
Janesville, Sept 24 - Ten students from Minnesota State University, Mankato toured Guardian Energy yesterday to learn about ethanol production.
During the tour, the students learned about several components of the ethanol production process including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The students were from the university’s bioengineering analysis class.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Minnesota State Mankato’s Bioengineering Analysis students. We are always proud to show students up close how their backgrounds in food science and biotechnology could lead to rewarding careers in Minnesota’s growing ethanol industry,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Guardian Energy is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“Yesterday’s tour was the first in-person tour we’ve hosted in nearly two years and it was great to be out with the students at an ethanol plant,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Gregg Marg, professor of biological sciences at Minnesota State Mankato, said the tour helped his students understand the difference between a laboratory experience and the operation of an industrial facility.
“One of our goals is to have students understand and be able to apply their education to real world situations,” he said.
Minneapolis, Sept 30 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up on Sept 29 to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15 during an hour-long promotion at a Winner station in Golden Valley.
Drivers who fueled up with E15 during the promotion were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, Stay & Play passes for St Croix casino in Turtle Lake, tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, packages to the Urban Air Adventure Park and KS95 merchandise.
“Yesterday’s event was the fifth time we’ve partnered with KS95 this year to talk to drivers about the benefits of using E15, which is made in Minnesota and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
KS95’s personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was at the station with MN Bio-Fuels staff during the promotion to talk to drivers on the many benefits of fueling up with E15.
The hour-long promotion was held from 12 pm to 1pm at the Winner on 9405 Medicine Lake Road in Golden Valley.
In the first seven months of 2021, 47.49 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota. In 2020, a total of 74.39 million gallons of E15 was sold.
Claremont, Oct 14 - Seventeen students from Dodge Center’s Triton High School toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel yesterday to learn about ethanol production.
During the tour, the students, from grades 11 and 12, learned about several components of the ethanol production process including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
“The ethanol industry plays a vital role in boosting the economy here in Claremont and its surrounding towns. By getting a first-hand look at operations at Al-Corn, students have an opportunity to learn about the technologies and processes involved in converting a homegrown ingredient into renewable, clean energy which, in turn, adds value back into our local and state economies,” said Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn.
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 Al-Corn Clean Fuel and Novozymes are members of MN Bio-Fuels.
“Earlier in the year, we hosted two virtual plant visits at Al-Corn Clean Fuel for students at Triton High School, so it was a welcome change yesterday to be able to bring students into the actual plant,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Robert Ickler, agriculture economy instructor at Triton High school, accompanied his students during the tour.
“In this class, students have learned about commodity markets and the role that ethanol plants play in them, as an end user of corn. By seeing an ethanol plant, students are better able to visualize commodity markets,” he said.
Minneapolis, Oct 21 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up yesterday to educate drivers on the benefits of using Unleaded Plus (E15) during an hour-long promotion at a Winner station in Richfield.
Drivers who fueled up with E15 during the promotion were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, Stay & Play passes for St Croix casino in Turtle Lake, tickets to the Crayola Experience, packages to the Urban Air Adventure Park and KS95 merchandise.
Yesterday’s event was the sixth time MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 have teamed up this year to educate drivers in the Twin Cities metro area about the benefits of using E15.
“Every gallon of E15 used reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, makes us more energy independent and boosts Minnesota’s economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director for MN Bio-Fuels.
KS95’s personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was at the station with MN Bio-Fuels staff during the promotion educating drivers on the many benefits of fueling up with E15.
The hour-long promotion was held at the Winner station on 7733 Portland Avenue in Richfield.
Claremont, Oct 26 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and Al-Corn Clean Fuel hosted a virtual plant visit yesterday for Owatonna High School students.
The students, from grades 9 to 12, were shown a detailed video of the plant’s ethanol production process and facts on the ethanol industry.
“It's important for students to learn how clean, Minnesota-grown, renewable energy is produced. In addition, this was an opportunity for students to learn about the important role ethanol plays in strengthening Minnesota's economy and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel.
During the virtual visit, he explained to the students that ethanol production goes on 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s continuous, it doesn’t stop. So, we’re constantly grinding corn, we’re constantly mixing it in and we’re pumping in recovered water and cooked corn into a fermenter at about 1,700 gallons per minute,” Doyal said.
A total of 26 students were in attendance for yesterday’s virtual visit. They were from the school’s agriculture exploration class.
“By being able to talk to an ethanol plant CEO, the students now have a better understanding of the ethanol production process and what it takes to operate an ethanol plant,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Elizabeth Tinaglia, agriculture teacher at Owatonna High School, said the virtual visit enabled her students to gain an understanding of the relationship between the agriculture and energy industries and explore potential career opportunities.
Janesville, Oct 29 - Six students from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s agroecology class visited Guardian Energy yesterday to gain a better understanding of ethanol production.
During the tour, the students learned about several components of the ethanol production process including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
Yesterday’s tour was the second time Guardian Energy has hosted students from Minnesota State Mankato. In September, 10 students from the university’s bioengineering analysis class toured the plant.
"We were pleased to once again welcome students from Minnesota State Mankato to our plant and explain to them how ethanol is produced. Minnesota-grown ethanol is part of a solar-based ecosystem which converts a renewable feedstock into clean energy, while substantially lowering greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering rural economies,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Guardian Energy is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“We regularly organize plant tours for college and high school students so that they can see first-hand how clean energy is produced,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Christopher Ruhland, professor of biological sciences at Minnesota State Mankato, said his students were interested in how biotechnology could improve feedstocks for ethanol production.
“Talking about ethanol production to students in the lab is one thing, but seeing ethanol being produced on such a large scale is an eye-opening experience for them.” he said.
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Nov 3, Lamberton - Eighteen students from Westbrook Walnut Grove High School toured Highwater Ethanol yesterday to gain a better understanding of ethanol production.
During the tour, the students learned about the various components of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
In addition, the students were briefed on the various career opportunities in the ethanol industry as well as the required qualifications. The students that participated in the tour were from the 8th grade.
“We were pleased to welcome students from Westbrook-Walnut Grove High School and to give them a first-hand look at how clean, renewable energy is produced here in Lamberton,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Highwater Ethanol is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“We regularly bring students to ethanol plants so that they can get a first-hand look at how a homegrown product reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, strengthens Minnesota’s economy and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Nancy Zollner, agriculture instructor at Westbrook Walnut Grove High School, said her students learned about different uses for corn and the various careers in the agriculture industry while touring Highwater Ethanol.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Peterson, visited the Granite Falls Energy plant on Nov 22 to gain a better understanding of the ethanol industry’s efforts in lowering its carbon footprint and its role in helping the state achieve its emission reduction goals.
“Our industry plays a vital role in strengthening Minnesota’s economy and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. During the commissioners tour of our plant, we briefed him on our efforts to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint, providing high-tech jobs and continuing our commitment to Minnesota’s agriculture industry,” said Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Granite Falls Energy.
He said Peterson was briefed on measures that can be taken to increase ethanol usage in Minnesota such as utilizing federal funding to increase biofuel infrastructure, require state fleet vehicles to use E15 or E85 (in the case of flex-fuel vehicles) and advance a clean fuel standard that would provide ethanol with a proper carbon credit using the GREET model.
Additionally, Oestmann said the commissioner was briefed on some of the challenges facing Minnesota’s ethanol industry such as a potential reid vapor pressure (RVP) ban on E15 in the summer months of 2022.
Rep. Tim Miller, who represents Minnesota House District 17A (which includes Granite Falls), participated in the commissioner’s tour of the plant. Granite Falls Energy board members were also present for Peterson’s visit.
Granite Falls Energy is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. It began operations in 2005 and currently produces 70 million gallons of ethanol a year.
Minneapolis, Dec 3 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and Heartland Corn Products hosted a virtual plant tour for 15 students from Norwood Young America’s Central High School on Dec 1.
“We were happy to share our story with students from Central High School Norwood today. These tours provide us with the opportunity to showcase clean, renewable energy that is being made in their backyard, while benefitting our local rural economy, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy independence,” said Gary Anderson, CEO of Heartland Corn Products.
The students were shown a presentation on the plant’s operations, facts on the ethanol industry and a video on the ethanol production process.
Additionally, Anderson briefed the students on the various careers at an ethanol plant.
The students, from grades 10 to 12, were from the school’s small engines class.
“This virtual tour provided students with a better understanding of the ethanol production process,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School, participated in the virtual tour.
“It is my goal that all students walked away from the experience knowing much more about renewable fuels, allowing them to make informed decisions about fuel purchases for engines of all kinds. I also wanted them to see the bigger picture about the ways that renewable fuels are good for our economy in Minnesota,” he said.
Lamberton, Dec 7 - Nine students from Red Rock Central Public School visited Highwater Ethanol on Dec 2 to learn about ethanol production.
“These tours provide us with an opportunity to explain to them how ethanol is produced and the vital role it plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the economy in Lamberton and in other parts of rural Minnesota,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highway Ethanol.
During the tour, the students learned about the various stages of the ethanol production process such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The students, all seventh graders, were from the school’s agriculture class.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). Highwater Ethanol is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“The tour at Highwater Ethanol was our last school tour for 2021. In total, we hosted 13 school tours this year,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
Rachel Moe, agriculture science instructor at Red Rock Central Public School, accompanied her students during the tour.
“I hope that my 7th Grade students have gained an understanding of agriculture opportunities in the Lamberton area. Highwater Ethanol is a prominent part of our community and it was very beneficial for my students to get an inside look at the facility,” she said.
Minneapolis, Jan 14 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) released its 2021 Annual Report today.
The report details the work carried out by MN Bio-Fuels in the areas of advocacy, communications and fuel supply chain in Minnesota in 2021.
“As 2021 drew to a close, the ethanol industry in Minnesota continued to come back strong from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Bio-Fuels.
This, he said, was illustrated in Minnesota’s E15 sales in 2021.
As of Nov 30, 2021, the volume of E15 sold in Minnesota last year was 78.94 million gallons, exceeding the 74.39 million gallons sold for the whole of 2020.
Going into 2022, Rudnicki said the ethanol industry faces new opportunities for growth while challenges such as a possible summertime restriction on E15 sales remain.
“In 2022, we will have the opportunity to work with our state agency partners to tap into the $100 million in biofuel infrastructure funding grants announced by the USDA,” he said.
Read the MN Bio-Fuels 2021 Annual Report here.
Minneapolis, Jan 18 - RSM US LLP (RSM) - the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market - has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) as a vendor member.
“RSM provides valuable services to the ethanol industry and we are pleased to have them as our newest member,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
With nearly 13,000 professionals in 83 cities in the United States and four locations in Canada, RSM is a licensed CPA firm and a member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms.
“As a leading audit, tax and consulting firm with industry specialists in the energy industry, RSM provides experience in serving all facets of the ethanol industry supply chain including design/build/retrofit, production, marketing and distribution,” said Lance Massmann, partner at RSM.
He said RSM’s ethanol expertise is deployed nationally and internationally, with a significant portion deployed in the Midwest.
“RSM joined MN Bio-Fuels as a vendor member to further expand our presence and involvement in the industry and to continue our support of the renewable fuels industry,” Massmann said.
Learn more about RSM here.
Picture caption: Lance Massmann, partner at RSM.
Minneapolis, Feb 2 - Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 as ethanol production and demand recovered from the slowdown in 2020.
The industry produced 1.27 billion gallons of ethanol in 2021, 33 percent higher than 2020’s volume, according to a new study by the University of Minnesota Extension.
This resulted in $6.1 billion in economic activity while supporting 22,810 jobs (up from 14,500 jobs in 2020).
The study said the ethanol industry contributed $1.3 billion in income for Minnesota residents while paying $123 million in state and local taxes.
“This new study once again illustrates the importance of Minnesota’s ethanol industry to the state’s economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels).
The study said Minnesota’s ethanol industry used 454.1 million bushels of corn in 2021. This represented 31 percent of the 1.5 billion bushels harvested in Minnesota in 2021.
Apart from ethanol, the industry also produced 3.7 million tons of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) - a high-protein animal feed - and 332.3 million pounds of corn oil in 2021.
The study said the DDGS produced was sufficient to feed 1.8 million cows, 2.2 million pigs and 55.5 million turkeys and chickens.
“For context, Minnesota farms have 2.3 million cattle, 9.5 million pigs and 49.5 million head of poultry,” the study said.
Additionally, the 332.2 million pounds of corn oil produced in 2021 could produce 43.1 million gallons of biodiesel, the study said. Minnesota has a biodiesel production capacity of 85.5 million gallons.
The study by the University of Minnesota Extension was sponsored by MN Bio-Fuels.
Read the study here.
Lamberton, March 2 - Eleven students from Red Rock Central Public School toured Highwater Ethanol on March 1 to learn more about renewable fuel production.
“We were happy to once again welcome and share our story with students from Red Rock Central. These tours offer us the opportunity to show students how ethanol is produced and the vital role it plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in strengthening rural economies,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
During the tour, the students learned about the different stages of the ethanol production process such as incoming 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). Highwater Ethanol is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“This was our first school tour of the year with many more scheduled this spring. Through these tours, students can get a better understanding of how ethanol reduces prices at the pump and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
The students who participated in the tour were all seventh graders from the school’s agriculture class.
Rachel Moe, agriculture science instructor at Red Rock Central, accompanied her students during the tour.
“With agriculture such an important part of our community and economy, it is important for my students to learn about our local ethanol industry, the production process and about vocational and professional opportunities in our area,” she said.