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Claremont, Dec 13 - Twelve students from Triton High School’s agriculture economics class toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel today to learn more about renewable fuel production.

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome students from Triton High School’s agriculture economics class to our facility. Since 1996, Al-Corn has built a sustainable business that has boosted our rural economy while reducing prices at the pump, harmful greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on foreign fuel,” said Thomas Harwood, CEO at Al-Corn Clean Fuel. 

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

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

The students that toured the plant were from grades 11 to 12. 

Today’s tour was the second time students from Triton High School have visited Al-Corn Clean Fuel this year. Another group of 12 students toured the plant in March. 

Robert Ickler, agriscience instructor at Triton High School, accompanied his students for both tours this year.

"During the semester, these students learn about commodities markets. From today's tour, they had a chance to learn about the end-users of corn," he said.

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Benson, Dec 15 - Students from Minnewaska High School’s agriculture processing class toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) yesterday to learn more about ethanol production.

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, ethanol storage 

The students were also briefed on the role the ethanol industry plays in boosting the economy in rural Minnesota. A total of 25 students participated in the plant tour.

“We were happy to welcome students from Minnewaska’s Ag Processing class. These tours provide us with an opportunity to showcase the process of converting local corn into a high-octane fuel which lowers greenhouse gas emissions, boosts rural economies, reduces prices at the pump and promotes energy independence,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC. 

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

The students that toured CVEC yesterday were from grades nine to 12. Tiffany Kobbermann, agriculture teacher at Minnewaska High School, accompanied here students for the tour.

“Many of our students’ families haul corn into ethanol plants, so this is a good way for them to understand the process. This tour allows students to connect what we have learned into real life,” she said. 

Burnsville, Feb 1 - In order for Minnesota to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals, biofuels must be included in a fuel- and technology-neutral Clean Transportation Standard (CTS).

“The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is committed to working with the legislature to ensure any CTS program is fuel- and technology-neutral so that we can meet GHG reduction targets while offering market opportunities to our state’s robust renewable fuel industry,” said Brian Werner, Executive Director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels).

A CTS work group established by the Minnesota legislature last year met over the last 6 months and submitted a final report to the state legislature today with recommendations on how to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of all fuels used for transportation in Minnesota. The work group has 40 members, including MN Bio-Fuels Executive Director Brian Werner. 

“The final report makes it clear that any CTS program must take into consideration Minnesota's unique characteristics, such as our abundant farmland, resilient farmers, and thriving bioeconomy. That means in order to meet the GHG reduction targets the CTS program must tap into the strength and ingenuity of our state’s agriculture and bioprocessing sectors while supporting communities in rural Minnesota,” Werner said.

In 2023, the Minnesota legislature established the work group and set initial targets for CI fuel reduction of at least 25 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2050. 

“When it comes to GHG reductions from biofuel, we’re only scratching the surface. With the increased adoption of low-carbon farming practices, incorporation of renewable electricity and energy efficiency at biofuel production facilities, and the use of carbon capture and utilization technologies, the renewable fuels industry in Minnesota is rapidly on a path to net-zero by 2050,” Werner said.

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Burnsville, Feb 6 - AgCountry Farm Credit Services has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) as a vendor member.

“To reach their goal of producing net-zero ethanol by 2050, MN Bio-Fuels members need to continue investing in capital intensive technologies and production efficiencies that will require access to competitive credit and financial services. That is why we are pleased to announce AgCountry as our newest vendor member. They’ve been critical partners to Minnesota’s ethanol industry and we sincerely appreciate their commitment to continue that partnership into the future,” said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.

A member-owned cooperative, AgCountry provides credit and financial services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and rural residents. 

It has 45 office locations serving over 25,000 farm families throughout portions of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

AgCountry’s services include loans, leases, crop insurance, succession and retirement planning along with tax and record services. The co-op features a patronage dividend program that has paid out over $543 million to its members since 2014. 

It has also provided financing solutions to the biofuels industry over the last two decades.

“AgCountry is pleased to become a vendor member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association in support of the biofuels industry and the thousands of producers that deliver their crop production as feedstock to fuel a greener America,” said Randy Aberle, executive vice president of agribusiness and capital markets at AgCountry. 

Learn more about AgCountry here

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Burnsville, Feb 15 - A new study by the University of Minnesota Extension shows the ethanol industry contributed $2.5 billion to Minnesota’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.

It said the industry produced 1.35 billion gallons of ethanol in 2023, which in turn resulted in $6.6 billion of economic activity and supported 20,914 jobs.

The industry also generated $1.3 billion in income for Minnesota residents and paid $182.9 million in state and local taxes last year.

“In 2023, Minnesota’s ethanol industry generated $6.6 billion of economic activity, supported over 20,000 jobs that provided $1.3 billion of income to Minnesotans, and contributed $2.5 billion to the state’s GDP. This 2023 economic report puts real data behind what rural communities, farmers, and workers across our state already know: the ethanol industry is a critical piece of our diverse economy. As state and federal legislators consider policy approaches to ease prices at the pump, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create good-paying jobs, we urge them to turn to the ethanol industry and its proven track record in strengthening Minnesota’s economy and environment,” said Brian Werner, executive director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels).

In 2023, the industry also produced 3.99 million tons of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) - a high-protein animal feed - and 426 million pounds of corn oil, which is used to produce biodiesel and renewable diesel.

The study said the 3.99 million tons of DDGS produced by Minnesota’s ethanol industry was sufficient to supply nearly 2 million cows, 2.4 million pigs and 59.8 million turkeys. Minnesota farms have 2.2 million cattle, 9.1 million pigs and 39 million head of turkeys.

As for corn oil, the 426 million pounds produced in 2023 was sufficient to produce 55.3 million gallons of biodiesel - nearly two thirds of Minnesota’s 85.5 million gallon biodiesel production capacity.

The study by the University of Minnesota extension was sponsored by MN Bio-Fuels.

Burnsville, Feb 22 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today approved a petition by eight midwestern governors - including Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz - providing for year-round E15. The rule, however, will not go into effect until April 28, 2025. 

“After two years of waiting, the EPA has finally approved the permanent year-round sale of E15 in eight Midwestern states - including Minnesota. We sincerely appreciate Gov. Walz’s efforts to ensure that Minnesota was included in the petition and thank members of our congressional delegation, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Angie Craig, that pushed the EPA to take this action. That work has secured long-term access to a more environmentally-friendly, cheaper fuel for Minnesotans and will strengthen the economy of the state.

“While this is welcomed news, the EPA’s delay in finalizing this action means that it won’t go into effect until summer 2025, and Minnesotans won’t have access to the lowest cost fuel at the pump this summer. The EPA must now similarly act on emergency waivers this summer so that sales of E15 - and the resulting cost savings to consumers - aren’t interrupted unnecessarily,” said Brian Werner, executive director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. 

In April of 2022, governors from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin asked the EPA to remove the 1-PSI reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver for E10, which would eliminate the current disparity between E10 and E15 and place both fuels on equal regulatory footing in the summer months. 

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Claremont, March 6 - Twenty-two students from Owatonna High School toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel today to learn about ethanol production. 

“We were excited to welcome students from Owatonna HS to our facility. These tours give us an opportunity to showcase how we transform local corn crops into clean, renewable energy and co-products, while strengthening our rural economy and reducing carbon emissions, prices at the pump and our reliance on foreign energy.,” said Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel.

The tour covered various aspects of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, ethanol storage, ethanol shipment, dried distillers grains with solubles production and storage. 

The students that participated in the tour were from grades 11 & 12 and were from the school’s small engines and power and technology class. 

Jamie Gray, agriculture education teacher at Owatonna High School, accompanied his students for the tour. 

“The Power and Technology class toured Al-Corn to learn about the production of ethanol, and the impact the plant has made in our area. We also learned about the machines and how they work. The class has been studying building materials and was excited to see the different machines used in the production of ethanol,” he said.

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

Burnsville, March 14 - Annual E15 sales in Minnesota reached a new milestone in 2023 with 127.56 million gallons reported sold, according to the latest data by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

This volume represented a 21 percent increase from the previous annual record of 105.5 million gallons in 2022. 

“Minnesota has consistently been a national leader in biofuel production, and the latest data from the Department of Commerce shows that we are also leading the way on biofuel consumption. The record setting sales of higher blends like E15 and E85 in 2023 are proof that when consumers go to the pump in Minnesota, they choose the lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel that supports rural communities and Minnesota’s economy,” said Brian Werner, Executive Director at the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). 

The Department of Commerce reports the volume of E15 sold in December 2023 was 11.28 million gallons, 18 percent higher than the volume of E15 sold in December 2022 (9.57 million gallons).

The latest data also shows that monthly E15 sales in Minnesota surpassed 11 million gallons from June to December last year - another new record. The Department of Commerce had previously reported that E15 sales breached the 11-million-gallon barrier only once last year in August. 

Data from the year-end report indicates that more than one out of every five retail stations offer higher lends of ethanol, including E15 (468 stations) and E85 (458 stations). According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), E15 prices averaged $3.24 per gallon, representing a 5 percent discount to regular gasoline.

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce reports E85 sales in Minnesota also hit a new record in 2023 with 16.55 million gallons, 7.6 percent higher than the 15.38 million gallons sold in 2022. The sale of higher blends of ethanol has led to Minnesota’s nation-leading ethanol consumption rate of 12.71 percent in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration.

“When it comes to expanding the use of ethanol, Minnesota continues to set an excellent example for the rest of the country to follow. Minnesota families understand the economic and environmental benefits of using higher blends like E15 and flex fuels like E85; they know that choosing these lower-cost, lower-carbon fuels supports local farmers and creates good-paying jobs across the state. Our message to other states is simple: follow the North Star State’s lead on renewable fuels,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of RFA.

The Department of Commerce estimates that sales of E15 and other mid-blends of ethanol (E50, E30 and E20) and E85 based on the total number of stations offering the aforementioned fuels in Minnesota in 2023 was at 170.15 million gallons and 19.01 million gallons respectively. 

MN Bio-Fuels has long been pushing for federal regulatory action to allow the year-round sale of E15 in Minnesota. In February 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a petition by eight midwestern governors - including Gov. Tim Walz - providing for year-round E15 in 2025. However, without additional action by the EPA, Minnesotans won’t have access to the lowest cost fuel at the pump in summer 2024. In 2023, the EPA issued a national emergency waiver to allow E15 to be sold from June 1 to Sept 15.