Press Releases
Minneapolis, June 24 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM rewarded drivers who fueled up with E15 at the Highland Service Minnoco station in St Paul yesterday during an hour-long promotion.
“Fueling up with E15 provides consumers with some much-needed relief at the pump. Using Minnesota-produced E15 also strengthens our state’s economy, benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and makes us more energy independent,” said Brian Kletscher, board president of MN Bio-Fuels.
From 12 pm to 1 pm, drivers who fueled up with E15 at the station were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, tickets to the St Paul Saints, gift cards to Applebee’s and KS95 merchandise.
KS95’s personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was at the station with MN Bio-Fuels staff educating drivers on the benefits of fueling up with E15. The Highland Service Minnoco station is located at 485 Snelling Avenue South in St Paul.
Yesterday’s promotion was the sixth time MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 have teamed up to promote E15 at a station in the Twin Cities metro area this year.
Details on upcoming promotions will be posted on MN Bio-Fuels’ website and social media channels.
Minneapolis, July 15 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up yesterday at a Holiday station in Coon Rapids to promote E15.
During an hour-long promotion, drivers who fueled up with E15 were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota United and St Paul Saints, gift cards to Applebee’s and KS95 merchandise.
KS95’s personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was at the station with MN Bio-Fuels staff during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“Yesterday marked our seventh E15 promotional event so far this year. More and more, consumers are searching for savings at the gas pump. E15 is not only less expensive, it is better for the environment and makes us more energy independent,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels.
The promotion yesterday was at the Holiday station at 10120 University Avenue Northwest in Coon Rapids.
So far this year, MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 have promoted E15 at stations in Coon Rapids, Fridley, New Hope, Plymouth, Richfield and St Paul.
The next joint promotion will be at a Winner station in Golden Valley on July 27.
Minneapolis, July 21 - Industrial water and process technologies provider, Kurita America, has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) as a vendor member.
“Kurita America is a strong supporter of Minnesota's ethanol industry and we are pleased to welcome them as our newest member. Kurita America provides controls and automation upgrades, comprehensive process solutions, feed compliant chemistries and sustainable water management to the ethanol industry,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels.
Part of the Kurita Group, Kurita America is headquartered in Brooklyn Park, Minn., with four blending facilities, 25 distribution facilities and over 600 employees across North America and the Caribbean.
The Kurita Group has been a global leading water solutions provider over the last 70 years with over 6,600 employees in 18 countries. The Kurita Group is a leading member of the United Nations’ Global Mandate Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) with a focus on the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), specifically number six (6), in reference to clean water and sanitation. Kurita Group’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) products contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, water and energy use, and waste.
Kurita America provides the ethanol industry with total solutions from fermentation to product quality. It brings innovations to market through a unique approach to water management called the Kurita Way.
By incorporating all aspects of an ethanol facility, including chemicals, equipment, engineering, and services, Kurita America gets to the root cause of an ethanol plant’s most complex challenges to deliver optimal results, lower overall cost of ownership, and maintain competitive edge while conserving natural resources for a better, more sustainable world.
“Kurita America believes in the ethanol industry, and we we want to do what we can to support jobs created in Minnesota by our local biofuel production facilities. Kurita America strives to provide total solutions to ethanol producers. It is an honor to become a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association,” said Rob Herbon, director of corporate accounts at Kurita America.
Learn more about Kurita America
Picture caption: Kurita America's team at the 2022 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo in Minneapolis in June 2022
Picture caption (From left to right): Ben Stover, plant manager at Guardian Energy, Gov. Tim Walz and Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
Janesville, July 25 - Gov. Tim Walz visited Guardian Energy on July 22 to take a closer look at the plant’s state-of-the-art production capabilities, the important role ethanol plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and it’s impact on rural economies.
“We were pleased to welcome Gov. Walz to our plant. Minnesota’s ethanol industry boosts the state’s economy annually by $2.1 billion. Our plant contributes significantly to the local rural economy. The corn we use is sourced from over 2,500 farmers within 75 miles of our plant. Our industry supports over 22,000 jobs in Minnesota with a strong track record of hiring military veterans,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
She said ethanol provides consumers with much needed savings at the pump and adds value by helping to fight climate change and improve the environment. Ethanol has a lower carbon intensity than gasoline and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
“I have no doubt that the future of our country’s energy innovation is in our backyard,” Walz said.
He said the tour at Guardian Energy emphasized the importance of investing in local, sustainable, and innovative ways to make ethanol an affordable and accessible option for Minnesota and the country.
“Ethanol production creates jobs, boosts local economies, and fuels our country efficiently, and I will continue to push for investments and support this industry,” Walz said.
Guardian Energy is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. It produces over 150 million gallons of ethanol a year as well as 260,000 tons of dried distillers grains and 52 million pounds of corn oil.
Minneapolis, Jul 29 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up for an hour-long E15 promotion at a Winner gas station in Golden Valley on July 27.
During the promotion, from 12 pm to 1 pm, drivers who fueled up with E15 were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota United, tickets to the St Paul Saints, gift cards to Applebee’s and KS95 merchandise.
The promotion was the eight time MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 FM have teamed up at a gas station in the Twin Cities metro to promote E15.
KS95 personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was with MN Bio-Fuels staff at the Winner station yesterday educating consumers on the many benefits of fueling up with E15.
The Winner station is located on 9405 Medicine Lake Road in Golden Valley.
“More and more consumers are switching to E15. In the first five months of this year, 38.99 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota, 20 percent higher than the volume sold in the same period in 2021,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels.
The volume of E15 sold in May, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, was 8.56 million gallons - a new record.
Picture caption: Brian Kletscher, President of MN Bio-Fuels With The 2022 Half-Year Report
Minneapolis, Aug 5 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) released its 2022 Half-Year report to its members at an event in Bloomington on Aug 3.
“In the first half of 2022, MN Bio-Fuels worked to strengthen and grow Minnesota’s ethanol industry through various initiatives in the fields of advocacy, communications and fuel supply chain,” said Brian Kletscher, President of MN Bio-Fuels.
In the area of advocacy, Kletscher said MN Bio-Fuels played an important role in working with the Walz administration to secure an emergency waiver from the EPA to sell E15 in Minnesota this summer.
While the EPA did grant an emergency waiver, a permanent solution will be needed and toward that end, MN Bio-Fuels worked with other state trade organizations to find such a solution. This resulted in a letter to the EPA signed by Gov. Tim Walz and seven governors from other midwestern states.
Kletscher said 38.99 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota over the first five months of 2022, with a monthly average of 7.79 million gallons.
As for communication projects, he said MN Bio-Fuels carried out 147 social media campaigns in the first half to promote E15 in the Twin Cities metro area. These campaigns delivered 1.65 million impressions.
In terms of education outreach, Kletscher said MN Bio-Fuels organized 11 school tours at ethanol plants in the first half of the year. In total, 151 students participated in MN Bio-Fuels’ school tour program compared to 190 students for the whole of 2021.
Read the 2022 Half-Year Report here.
Minneapolis, Aug 9 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM rewarded drivers who chose E15 during an hour-long promotion yesterday at a Winner gas station in Brooklyn Center.
During the promotion, from 12 pm to 1 pm, drivers who fueled up with E15 were rewarded with prizes such as $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota United, tickets to the St Paul Saints, gift cards to Applebee’s and KS95 merchandise.
“Yesterday’s event was the ninth time we’ve partnered with KS95 over the past few months at a station in the Twin Cities metro to promote E15 and we’re seeing more and more consumers picking E15,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels.
KS95 personality, Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson, was with MN Bio-Fuels staff at the Winner station yesterday educating consumers on the many benefits of fueling up with E15.
The Winner station is located on 6501 Humboldt Avenue North in Brooklyn Center.
MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 will next be at the Holiday station on 1770 Old Hudson Road in St Paul on Aug 18.
In the first five months of 2022, 38.99 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota, 20 percent higher than the volume sold in the same period in 2021.
Minneapolis, Aug 30 - Metrohm USA Inc has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) as a vendor member.
“We are pleased to welcome Metrohm USA as our newest member. Metrohm USA provides chemical analysis solutions for the ethanol industry,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels.
Metrohm USA is part of Metrohm AG which is based in Herisau, Switzerland.
The company manufactures high-precision instruments for chemical analysis to improve biofuels and corresponding blends.
Specifically, Metrohm USA offers solutions with its titration and ion chromatography instruments.
For titration, these instruments are used in ethanol plant labs to measure acidity of ethanol by ASTM D7795, water content by ASTM D4806 and water content, fatty free acids for corn oil.
For ion chromatography, these instruments are used for chlorides and sulfates by ASTM D7319.
“Metrohm USA has invested heavily in its mission to bring market-leading technologies closer to customers. We are excited to strengthen connections and increase support in the renewable fuels industry as a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association,” said Chris Hanson, Titration Sales Representative for the Upper Midwest at Metrohm USA.
Learn more about Metrohm USA's work with the ethanol industry here.
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Claremont, Sept 14 - Twenty-four students from Blooming Prairie High School toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel today to get a closer look at renewable energy production.
“We were pleased to welcome Blooming Prairie High School to our facility. It’s important for students to learn how clean, Minnesota-grown, renewable energy is produced.”
“This was also an opportunity for the students to learn about the important role ethanol plays in strengthening our state’s economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy independence and providing savings at the pump,” said Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel.
During the hour-long tour, the students were given a first-hand look at the various stages of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller’s grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
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 participated in the tour were from grades 10 to 12 from Blooming Prairie High School’s horticulture class.
“Our tour of Al-Corn was beneficial for my students because any opportunity to learn about ag careers can light a spark,” said Abby DeDina, horticulture instructor at Blooming Prairie High School.
Today’s tour is the second time students from Blooming Prairie High School have visited Al-Corn Clean Fuel this year. In May, 17 students from the school’s agriculture science class toured the plant.
Minneapolis, Sept 22 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to promote E15 at a Holiday station in Vadnais Heights.
During the promotion, which was held from 12 pm to 1 pm, MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 staff educated drivers on the various benefits of using E15.
Drivers who made the switch to E15 were rewarded with prizes such as $20 cash, Applebee’s gift cards, St Paul Saints tickets and KS95 merchandise. The Holiday station is located at 1035 Country Road East in Vadnais Heights.
“Today’s event was the 11th time we’ve partnered with KS95 to promote E15 at a station in the Twin Cities metro this year. E15 provides consumers with savings at the pump while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brian Kletscher, President of MN Bio-Fuels.
Prior to today’s event, MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 have promoted E15 at stations in Brooklyn Center, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Golden Valley, New Hope, Plymouth, Richfield, Golden Valley and St Paul this year.
In the first seven months of the year, 57.12 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota, 19.4 percent higher than the 47.83 millions gallons sold over the same period in 2021.
Minneapolis, Sept 27 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) has appointed Brian Werner as its new executive director.
“We are excited Brian has joined our team. With his leadership, we will continue to advance renewable ethanol and renewable energy,” said Brian Kletscher, president of MN Bio-Fuels’ board of directors.
Prior to joining MN Bio-Fuels, Werner was the deputy legislative director / senior legislative assistant for renewable energy and agriculture for Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
During that time, he supported Klobuchar’s work to protect mandatory funding for Farm Bill energy title programs, maintain stability in the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, provide economic relief for biofuel producers negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and secure federal investment in biofuel infrastructure.
“After a decade and a half in our nation’s capital working on agriculture and biofuel policy, I am honored and beyond excited to be coming home to lead MN Bio-Fuels. It is clear that farm-based, homegrown biofuels are a key solution to many of the issues we face today - reducing carbon emissions, strengthening national security, promoting rural economic development, and lowering energy costs for consumers,” Werner said.
A native of Marshall, MN, he has previously worked for former Minnesota congressman, Collin Peterson, and former US Senator, Tim Johnson, of South Dakota.
“MN Bio-Fuels is doing critical work to transform our energy sector and strengthen our economy. I look forward to continuing to advance this important mission with our many state and federal partners,” Werner said.
Janesville, Sept 30 - Bioengineering students from Minnesota State University, Mankato toured Guardian Energy yesterday to learn about ethanol production.
“We were happy to once again welcome students from Minnesota State University – Mankato. These tours give students a first-hand overview of the ethanol production process. More importantly, students leave with a better appreciation for the important role our industry plays in bolstering rural economies, improving air quality and advancing energy independence,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
During the 90-minute tour, the students learned about at the various stages of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller’s grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). Guardian Energy is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.
“Students in the Biotechnology Program and Food Science Technology program have great preparation from their classroom and laboratory experiences. One of our goals is to have students understand and be able to apply their education to real world situations.”
“Our tour of the ethanol plant exposes the students to the much larger scale of an industrial facility. It helps them understand the difference between a laboratory experience and the operation of a real-world production facility,” said Gregg Margg, professor of biological sciences at Minnesota State Mankato.
Minneapolis, Oct 3 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) helped 15 fuel retailers in the Twin Cities metro area in applying for biofuel infrastructure grants that were recently awarded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
On Sept 30, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced it was providing over $6.4 million in grant funding to 44 stations in the state to offset the cost of investing in upgraded retail petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks and other compatible equipment to offer E15 and other higher blends of ethanol.
“One of the largest barriers preventing consumer access to higher blends of ethanol like E15 is the lack of infrastructure at the retail level. That’s why we helped 15 fuel retailers go through the grant application process for the Biofuel Infrastructure Grant Program. We are pleased that they were awarded grant funding and will soon be offering E15, which provides consumers with savings at the pump, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, strengthens Minnesota’s economy and makes us more energy independent,” said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
The grants were from the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program. An additional $1 million in funding for the grant program was provided by Minnesota Corn.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the 44 grantees are receiving awards that range from approximately $83,000 to $199,000. It said all grantees are Minnesota retail petroleum stations with no more than 10 sites.
In the first seven months of 2022, 57.12 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota, 19.4 percent higher than the 47.83 million gallons sold over the same period in 2021.
To learn more about the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program, click here.
To learn more on the recipients of the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program, click here.
Picture caption: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Thom Peterson, announcing the grants at the Super Gas USA station in Burnsville on Sept 30.
Minneapolis, Oct 4 - Greenfield Global Winnebago, LLC has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) as a producer member.
“We are pleased to welcome Greenfield Global Winnebago as our latest producer member. The support of our producer members is crucial in our mission to strengthen and grow Minnesota’s ethanol industry,” said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels.
Greenfield Global Winnebago is a unit of Canada’s Greenfield Global Inc, which was founded in 1989 and is a leading producer of the full spectrum of ethanol grades, high-purity solvents and bioprocessing materials for beverage, medical, and industrial applications.
The company is the leading producer of fuel ethanol in Canada and has significant production, blending and packaging operations in the United States and Ireland.
In total, Greenfield Global produces over 850 million liters (224 million gallons) of ethanol per year from its five distilleries. It also packages and distributes over 50 million liters (13.2 million gallons) of alcohols and solvents at its five packaging and blending facilities.
Its ethanol plant in Winnebago has an annual production capacity of 48 million gallons a year. It also produces DDGS, corn oil and has plans to engage in future carbon projects.
McCord Pankonen, General Manager at Greenfield Global Winnebago, said the company has invested significantly in bringing the plant up to Greenfield Global’s standards and has aligned future investments to lower the plant’s carbon intensity while increasing production efficiencies.
“Greenfield is proud to join the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. With the startup of our Winnebago, Minnesota plant, we look forward to working with and supporting the association’s advocacy efforts to maximize the use of low-carbon-intensity ethanol production to reduce transportation fuel emissions,” he said.
Picture caption: McCord Pankonen, general manager of Greenfield Global Winnebago.
Picture caption: The Greenfiel Global Winnebago plant in Winnebago, Minnesota.
Lamberton, Oct 7 - Students from Southwest Star Concept School from Okabena visited Highwater Ethanol on Oct 4 to learn about ethanol production.
“We are always pleased to share our story with students. These tours give us an opportunity to showcase the ethanol process here at Highwater, as well as the vital role our industry plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, bolstering rural economies, providing savings at the pump and moving us closer to energy independence,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The students that participated in the tour were from the school’s crop production and agriculture classes.
During the tour, they were briefed on the various stages of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller’s 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.
Jessica Daberkow, agriculture education instructor at Southwest Star Concept School, accompanied her students for the tour.
“My students had an opportunity to better understand the process of converting corn into ethanol and see how a local, raw material can be converted into something that consumers use on a daily basis. This was also a great opportunity for students whose parents are growing corn for ethanol production to see what happens once that corn leaves their farms,” she said.
Minneapolis, Oct 11 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) concluded a five-month E15 promotional campaign in the Twin Cities metro area on Oct 6 at a Winner station in St Paul.
Throughout the campaign, MN Bio-Fuels teamed up with KS95 FM at various gas stations in the Twin Cities metro area to reward drivers who fueled up with E15.
“As fuel prices strained consumers’ pocket books this summer, our promotional events with KS95 provided us with a unique opportunity to educate drivers about how they could save money by fueling up with E15,” said Brian Werner, executive director at MN Bio-Fuels. “With prices again on the rise, E15 remains a cost-saving option for Minnesota drivers at gas stations all around the state.”
In total, MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 promoted E15 at 12 different gas stations in the Twin Cities metro area over the course of five months.
At each promotional event, MN Bio-Fuels and KS95 staff rewarded drivers who made the switch to E15. Among the prizes were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, tickets to the Minnesota United, tickets to the St Paul Saints, gift cards to Applebee’s, gift cards to Red Cow and Red Rabbit and KS95 merchandise.
Last week’s event was at the Winner station on 2233 Energy Park Drive in St Paul.
According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 66.42 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota from January to August this year, 19 percent higher than the volume recorded over the same period last year (55.78 million gallons).