Press Releases
Picture Caption : MBA's board president, Brian Kletscher, and executive director, Tim Rudnicki, at the launch of the 2017 report.
Minneapolis, Dec 14 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) released its 2017 Report to its producer and vendor members at a networking event in Prior Lake yesterday.
The report provided members with an overview of Minnesota's ethanol industry in 2017 and the various projects MBA undertook to grow ethanol consumption in the state.
"These projects centered around making substantive progress in lowering artificial barriers to ethanol as well as increasing access and demand for E15. For example, we carried out advocacy intitiatives for a 21st century regulatory permitting process, generated over 12 million ad impressions to drive consumers to E15 fuel dispensers and played a pivotal role in expanding the network of retailers offering E15 to 250," said Tim Rudnicki, MBA executive director.
He added that there were several serious challenges in 2017, most notably towards the Renewable Fuel Standard as well as shortages in funding to assist independent fuel retailers in transitioning mid-grade fuel to E15.
The report highlights progress MBA made in the fields of advocacy, communications, fuel marketing and supply in 2017.
"Looking forward, there will be more opportunities and challenges for our industry in 2018 as we drive the systemic change required to displace 30 percent of the petroleum consumed by Minnesota's transportation sector with biofuels by 2025," Rudnicki said.
Download MBA's 2017 Report here
Picture Caption: (from left to right) Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, presents the award to Andrea Drake, owner of Drake Properties, the company's station on County Rd J in White Bear Lake.
White Bear Lake, Dec 19 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association today presented the 2017 Distinguished Retailer Award to Drake Properties LLC, which owns three E15 stations in the Twin Cities metro.
“This award recognizes Drake Properties' commitment to offering consumers a clean and locally-produced choice at the pump. In under 12 months, E15 has been made available in three of its locations,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Drake Properties first began offering E15 at its station on University Avenue in Fridley in November of 2016. This year, it added E15 to its stations on County Road J and Centerville Road in White Bear Lake in May and August respectively.
“I see E15 going the same way as leaded to regular unleaded. We will see a transition where E15 will be the new regular and 87 Octane will be a thing of the past. E15 is the minimum standard we should be at,” said Andrea Drake, owner of Drake Properties.
The company’s three E15 stations are among the 252 stations in the state that offer E15 and have contributed to a record-breaking year for E15 sales in Minnesota.
According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, E15 sales in October breached the 3-million gallon mark for the first time, hitting an all-time high of 3.19 million gallons, nearly three times the previous record of 1.2 million gallons in May.
It was also the first month E15 sales in Minnesota exceeded E85 (1.39 million gallons).
In total, E15 sales this year as of October totaled 10.7 million gallons (another first for Minnesota), nearly double the amount sold for the whole of 2016 (5.68 million gallons).
“These numbers indicate that as access to E15 increases, so too does consumption. But to fully realize this market’s potential, there’s still more that needs to be done. We have to continue educating consumers on the various benefits of using E15,” Rudnicki said.
The E85 volume of 1.39 million gallons in October was the highest of the year, bringing the total for 2017 as at end-October to 12.09 million gallons.
At 12.09 million gallons in October, the E85 volume this year is on pace to hit 14.5 million gallons. For the whole of 2016, 12.58 million gallons of E85 was sold.
2017 is also shaping up to be a record year for E30 in Minnesota. In October, the volume of E30 sold was a year-high of 58,810 gallons.
On a cumulative basis, E30 sales this year as of October totaled 529,638 gallons, 7 percent higher than the 494,688 gallons sold for the whole of 2016.
Minneapolis, Jan 3 – Dürr Systems Inc has become the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s latest vendor member.
“We are pleased to welcome Dürr to our growing roster of members. Dürr provides trend-setting environmental and energy-solutions. In the ethanol industry, Dürr provides producers a single rotary valve regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) system,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
The company is part of Germany-based Dürr Group, which is a leading global mechanical and plant engineering firm with 93 business locations in 28 countries.
“After hearing about the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association at the most recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Dürr was impressed with their ability to convey a positive message for the entire ethanol industry. Additionally, their promotion of not only the manufacturers, but also the suppliers to this industry is something that was a huge positive.
“We look forward to the upcoming opportunities this association will provide to interface with manufacturers while providing valuable information and insight on the ethanol market,” said Greg Thompson, key account manager at Dürr.
In the ethanol industry, Dürr has worked with ethanol producers in Illinois and Iowa and is looking at expanding to Minnesota.
“Our single valve RTO system has significant advantages over the current industry standard. Additionally, we have the capability of making retrofits and modifications to that style of RTO saving customers significantly on maintenance and downtime annually,” Thompson said.
The RTO system – the Ecopure RL – is designed with the lowest maintenance required of any unit in the market while promoting the highest amount of uptime, he said.
Thompson said Ecopure RL RTO system provides ethanol manufacturers with unique features that ensure high destruction efficiency with online bake-out features that significantly reduces process particulate plugging.
“Furthermore, Dürr’s abilities in designing new RTOs, along with our significant experience in the air pollution control industry, makes us uniquely capable in providing maintenance, repair and retrofit services for any style of RTO or from any manufacturer,” he said.
Picture Caption: Dürr’s Ecopure RL RTO system.
Minneapolis, Jan 16 – JTI Services LLC has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association’s growing roster of vendor members.
“We are pleased to welcome our latest member, JTI Services. Based in Winthrop, MN, JTI Services provides electrical preventative maintenance and safety services to ethanol plants in southern Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
JTI Services operations manager and certified level-III thermographer, Cody Jackson, said the company specializes in electrical infrared inspections and arc flash risk assessments.
“The electrical infrared inspections we provide to the ethanol industry help tremendously with cost savings while the arc flash risk assessments improve plant safety through injury prevention and compliance,” he said.
JTI Services is a family-run business established in 2013 to complement the electrical contracting services provided by its sister company, Jackson Electric Inc.
Jackson said Minnesota’s ethanol industry has played a vital role in the company’s growth so far and there are plans to expand its services to ethanol plants in other states.
“As JTI Services has grown in the last five years, we noticed that our core values and services align the best with ethanol plants and the everyday needs they have. We are experts in the electrical preventive maintenance industry and our expertise is best put to use solving the problems ethanol plants face daily.
“Besides all the signs that point us toward the ethanol industry and why it makes sense for our companies, we actually care about the industry because it has helped support our other family business for the last 24 years where we have served as an industrial and commercial electrical contractor,” he said.
Apart from the ethanol industry, Jackson said the company also provides services to heavy commercial industries such as manufacturing and food processing.
Minneapolis, Jan 29 – Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, and Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton, have been appointed as chair and vice chair respectively of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, a multi-state alliance aimed at providing regional leadership on biofuels policy.
“We congratulate both Gov. Dayton and Gov. Reynolds on their appointments. Gov. Dayton’s commitment to biofuels contributed to a landmark year for E15 in Minnesota in 2017,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
In 2017, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to exceed 250 E15 stations while E15 consumption, as of Nov 30, 2017, was 14.45 million gallons, more than double the volume sold in 2016 (5.68 million gallons).
“Minnesota has long been a national leader in adding value to our farm products and supporting the development of alternative fuels. Biofuels create new markets for Minnesota corn and soybeans, protect air and water quality, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
“I look forward to working with Governor Reynolds to advance biofuel production and support our farmers,” Dayton said in a statement via the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition.
The increase in the number of stations offering E15 from 61 in 2016 to 252 at the end of 2017 was partly attributed to grants from the federal government and the Dayton Administration for the installation of infrastructure to dispense higher blends of ethanol such as E15.
With Reynolds and Dayton at the helm of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, Rudnicki said there would be more opportunities to fully realize the energy security, consumer, economic and environmental benefits of biofuels.
“We need to get Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) parity for E15 with E10, provide some additional assistance to fuel retailers who want to dispense E15 and begin proper testing of mid-level blends of ethanol,” he said.
Minneapolis, Feb 19 – Minnesota’s ethanol industry remained robust in 2017, contributing $2.17 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In a new study by ABF Economics, the ethanol industry in Minnesota produced 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.7 million tons of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and 247 million pounds of corn oil in 2017.
This in turn, it said, generated $7.13 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses and supported 18,813 jobs.
“This study illustrates, once again, the importance of the ethanol industry to Minnesota’s economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
ABF Economics said Minnesota’s ethanol industry also contributed $1.54 billion to the state’s household income and paid $192 million in state and local taxes.
Apart from agriculture jobs, the study said direct spending by ethanol plants supported jobs in the following industries: engineering, marketing and sales, logistics, power automation, emission testing, accounting, rail transportation, industrial cleaning, water management, enzyme providers, risk management service and underground tank installation.
In total, ABF Economics said the industry spent $1.87 billion on operating costs last year, 4 percent more than what it spent in 2016.
Overall, in comparison to 2016, the industry’s contribution to Minnesota’s GDP in 2017 grew 18.3 percent while gross sales for state businesses were 8.9 percent higher.
Full-time jobs supported by the ethanol industry in 2017 grew 11.6 percent compared to 2016, ABF Economics said.
“The ethanol industry is an important economic driver in rural Minnesota. At the same time, it supports and spurs economic activity in major urban areas of the state,” Rudnicki said.
ABF Economics said Minnesota’s ethanol industry used 415 million bushels of corn (28 percent of Minnesota’s 2017 corn crop) to produce 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol, 3.7 million tons of DDGS (a high protein animal feed) and 247 million pounds of corn oil (which is used for biodiesel production).
It said the DDGS produced in 2017 was sufficient to meet the annual feed requirements of more than 2.5 million beef and dairy cattle or the entire inventory of cattle and calves in Minnesota.
As for corn oil, the study said the 247 million pounds produced was enough to produce 34 million gallons of biodiesel or over 26 percent of the biodiesel capacity in Minnesota.
Read the full study here.
Minneapolis, Mar 9 – A group of graduate students from the University of Minnesota toured Guardian Energy in Janesville yesterday to get a deeper understanding of ethanol production.
The students, from the university’s Renewable Energy Technologies and Food Engineering classes, toured the various processes of ethanol production at Guardian Energy, which produces 130 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“We are always happy to give tours of our manufacturing plant and talk about the benefits corn-based ethanol brings to our community, consumers, local producers, and the environment. We appreciate the university bringing their students to our site to learn more about our processes, products, and the role of ethanol as a renewable feedstock in our nations fuel supply chain,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. Guardian Energy is a member of Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“We generally bring high school students to visit ethanol plants, which makes yesterday’s tour a pleasant change. There’s a lot that university students can learn about homegrown energy from an ethanol plant,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
The students toured several different components of ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product shipment.
The students were accompanied by the university’s department of bioproducts and biosystems engineering professor, Dr Roger Ruan.
“The ethanol plant tour will enhance the students’ awareness about renewable biofuels and improve their active learning experience,” Ruan said.
Prior to the tour, he said the students had learned about the basic process of ethanol production, heat transfer and fluid flow.
Ruan added that some of the students that participated in the tour are interested in pursuing careers in the biofuels industry.
Minneapolis, March 21- Thirty-seven students from Medford High School visited Guardian Energy in Janesville yesterday to gain a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.
The students were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at the plant, which produces 130 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“We appreciate the students and teachers taking time out of their schedule to learn more about biofuels and the advantages they provide as a source of fuel. It is important for the students to learn the facts about producing fuel from renewable feedstocks like corn. As a country, this helps to expand our energy independence while contributing to the rural economy and improving our environment,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The students, from grades eight to 12, are from Medford High’s small engines and Ag 8 classes.
During the tour, they learned about several different components of ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product shipment.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. Guardian Energy is a member of Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“The ethanol industry plays a vital role for Minnesota’s agricultural industry and through these tours, students are given a chance to see and understand the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into clean energy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Medford High School Agriculture Education instructor, Tim Larson, who accompanied his students on the tour, said it was important for his students to learn about renewable fuels and the latest technologies used in ethanol production.
“Anytime we can show the students a view from the world of employment and new technologies is a positive for their future career explorations,” he added.
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Plymouth, Mar 23 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who chose E15 during a two-hour long promotion at the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded drivers who switched to E15 (Unleaded Plus) from regular unleaded. Over 40 drivers switched to E15 during the promotion.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, was at the station with MBA staff to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15.
Among the prizes given were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, tickets to the Saint Paul Saints, gift cards to Chili’s and KS95 merchandise.
“Today’s event was an opportunity for us to talk to consumers on why they should choose E15. It’s cheaper than regular unleaded, has an octane rating of 88, is better for the environment and is made right here in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, MBA’s executive director.
He added MBA and KS95 will be teaming up again in the coming weeks at a different station in the Twin Cities metro to educate more drivers on E15.
The Holiday in Plymouth is one of over 250 stations in Minnesota that offer E15.
In January this year, 4.6 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota. In 2017, E15 sales in the state totaled 19.05 million gallons, nearly four times the 5.68 million gallons sold in 2016.
Picture Caption: Rep. Collin Peterson briefing Ridgewater College students at CVEC last week on the outlook for the Minnesota's ethanol industry.
Minneapolis, April 3 – Rep. Collin Peterson visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson on March 28 to reiterate his support for Minnesota’s ethanol industry.
“Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company is doing some exciting work and are continuing to find new innovative markets for ethanol and its coproducts. While at the plant, we discussed a number of the federal policies from farm bill programs to the RFS that support the agriculture economy,” Peterson said.
During his visit, he briefed CVEC on the recent spate of attacks on the RFS, the upcoming Farm Bill and co-op taxes.
Peterson said farm income was currently at its lowest level since 2006 and any changes to ethanol demand would severely impact rural Minnesota.
“I recently met with Secretary (Sonny) Perdue to emphasize the importance of these programs for rural Minnesota, and will continue to fight changes to the RFS that would undermine its success.
“A cap on RIN prices would cost Minnesota corn farmers $370 million and hurt a lot of the investments farmers have made in our homegrown biofuels industry,” he said.
A recent study by Iowa State University’s Center for Agriculture and Rural Development said any cap on RIN prices could result in a 25 cent drop in corn prices, which would result in $370 million in lost revenue for Minnesota’s corn farmers.
“We thank Rep. Peterson for visiting CVEC and reiterating his support for Minnesota’s ethanol industry. CVEC has been in the ethanol industry for 22 years, supporting rural Minnesota’s economy by providing jobs and returning capital and infrastructure to the rural community,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
Peterson’s visit to CVEC coincided with Ridgewater College’s tour of the plant on March 28.
“Rep. Peterson has and continues to defend the RFS from baseless attacks from the oil industry and its proponents in Congress who are fixated on perpetuating the use of finite fossil fuels. Thanks to the RFS, in 2017, the ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to Minnesota’s economy and supported 18,813 jobs while reducing 715,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Picture Caption: (From left to right) Janet Lundebrek (CVEC board member), Chad Friese (CVEC CEO), Rep. Collin Peterson and David Thompson (CVEC board member).
Minneapolis, April 2 – Thirty-five students from Ridgewater College toured the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson on March 28 to get a closer look at how home-grown renewable energy is produced.
The students, from the college’s animal nutrition class toured the various stages and processes of ethanol production at CVEC, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“CVEC has hosted many tours over the years for students, 4-H’ers, and local agriculture and science programs and we appreciate Ridgewater College bringing their students to our facility to get a first-hand look at how ethanol is produced.”
“It’s important for students to learn about the ethanol production process and its role in creating jobs in rural Minnesota while also reducing state greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
During the tour, they learned about including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The tour also coincided with Rep. Collin Peterson’s visit to CVEC where he met with Friese and the plant’s board members. Peterson joined the students for part of their tour.
“Ethanol has come a long way, and I was glad to join students from Ridgewater College’s animal nutrition class for a look at some of the latest developments in distriller’s dried grains. DDGS are an important source of animal feed for the livestock sector, and higher protein DDGS can expand their role in this market,” Peterson said.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. CVEC is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“With these tours, students gain a better understanding of how a homegrown ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that has been reducing and continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, saves consumers at the pump and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
CVEC is an ethanol production cooperative that commenced operations in 1996 and currently has 50 employees.
Kari Slinden, livestock instructor at Ridgewater College, said that prior to the tour her class discussed DDGS in livestock rations.
“My students have been learning about feedstuffs and many of them use products from the ethanol industry to feed livestock,” she added.
Picture Caption: Rep. Collin Peterson briefs Ridgewater College students on the outlook for Minnesota's ethanol industry.
Minneapolis, April 6 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers in Fridley who switched to E15 during a two-hour appearance at the Holiday on University Avenue.
From 12 pm to 2 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded drivers who switched to Unleaded Plus (E15) from regular unleaded. Among the prizes were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, tickets to the Saint Paul Saints, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili's and KS95 merchandise.
Over 30 drivers made the switch to E15 during the appearance. KS95 FM personality, Rudy Pavich, and MBA staff were at the station educating drivers on the benefits of using E15 during the two-hour promotion.
"We will be partnering wih KS95 FM again in the coming weeks to speak to more drivers about the benefits of using E15. In just the first two months of 2018, over 9 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota. Consumers are eager to switch to a fuel that's cheaper than regular gasoline, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is made in Minnesota," said Tim Rudnicki, MBA's executive director.
According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 9.07 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota in first two months of the year, nearly half the total sold for the whole of 2018.
MBA's previous event with KS95 FM was on Mar 23 at the Holiday on Country Road 24 in Plymouth. Both MBA and KS95 FM will team up again at the Winner station in Richfield on April 18. More details of that event will be announced next week.
Winthrop, April 11- Twenty students from Central High School in Norwood Young America toured Winthrop’s Heartland Corn Products today to learn more about clean renewable Minnesota energy.
During the tour, the students learned about the various processes in ethanol production at Heartland Corn Products, which produces 110 million gallons of ethanol a year.
This is the third time students from Central High School have toured Heartland Corn Products. The school first toured Heartland Corn Products in March 2016 and visited again in May 2017.
“We once again have the opportunity to host Central High School students in our facility to provide them with a deeper understanding of how Minnesota-grown ethanol is produced.”
“Tours like these showcase how a homegrown renewable ingredient is converted into a clean fuel that continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Scott Blumhoefer, vice president of Heartland Corn Products.
The students, from grades 9 to 12, learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, combined heat and power operations, dried distiller grain production and storage, liquefaction and ethanol storage and shipment.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Heartland Corn Products is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
“We are pleased that Central High School is utilizing these tours as a part of their curriculum. It’s important for students to learn about clean, Minnesota-produced, renewable energy and how it reduces harmful emissions and supports the local economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Heartland Corn Products is one of the largest plants in Minnesota and was built in 1995.
The school’s agriculture teacher, Jim Mesik, who has accompanied his students on every tour to Heartland Corn Products, said that ethanol is part of the curriculum for the small gas engines class on fuel and fuel systems at Central High School.
“This tour teaches students where our most common renewable fuel comes from and the by-products that are associated with the ethanol production process,” he added.
Minneapolis, Apr 25 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) and KS95 FM teamed up today at the Tesoro station on Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis to reward drivers who switched to E15.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, MBA and KS95 rewarded drivers who switched to Unleaded Plus (E15). Among the prizes given were $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, St Paul Saints, Minnesota Zoo, gift vouchers to Chili's and KS95 merchandise.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, and MBA staff were at the station educating drivers on the benefits of using E15 during the promotion. Over 30 drivers made the switch to E15 during the promotion.
"Today's promotion was the third time we've teamed up with KS95 this year to promote E15 to drivers in the Twin Cities. As gas prices rise, consumers are eager for a cheaper alternative that also reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and is made in Minnesota," said Tim Rudnicki, MBA's executive director.
MBA previously partnered with KS95 at a Holiday on Country Road 24 in Plymouth on Mar 23 and at a Holiday on University Avenue in Fridley on Apr 6.
Rudnicki said both MBA and KS95 will be teaming up again soon at other stations in the Twin Cities metro area to educate more drivers on E15.
Janesville, May 2 – Twenty seven students from St. James High School visited Guardian Energy in Janesville today to learn more about homegrown renewable energy.
Picture Caption : Worthington High School agriculture class students at Heron Lake Bioenergy on May 1
Minneapolis, May 8 - Fifteen students from Worthington High School toured Heron Lake Bioenergy on May 1st to gain a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.
The students, all 12th graders from the school’s senior agriculture class, were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Heron Lake Bioenergy, which produces 65 million gallons of ethanol a year.
"It’s important for students to learn about the ethanol production process and its role in creating jobs in rural Minnesota while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brodie McKeown, plant manager at Heron Lake Bioenergy.
During the tour, the students covered incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, liquefaction and ethanol storage and shipment.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of the Minnesota’s ethanol industry.
“Ethanol produced at Heron Lake Bioenergy creates jobs, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and lowers prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Heron Lake Bionenergy, which first began production in 2007, currently has 42 employees.
Worthington High School’s tour of Heron Lake Bioenergy last week was the second time the school has visited the plant. The school first toured the plant in May 2017.
The school’s agriculture instructor, Deb Martin, who accompanied the students both times, said the tour exposed students to the ethanol production process and its co-products as well as career opportunities in the ethanol industry.
“The students were surprised at the number of steps in the process, the variety of careers there, and the science and technology involved” she said.
Martin added she plans to continue bringing students from her Senior Ag Class to Heron Lake Bioenergy every year.
“I think it’s a great experience for kids to see the process and it’s the perfect age for them. The hands-on things they could feel, touch and smell were cool as well as being able to walk around the plant and see the machines in motion while the product was being created,” she said.
Picture Caption : Martin with her students at Heron Lake Bioenergy in 2017