Press Releases

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Benson, October 15 – Twenty-five students from West Central Area Secondary School in Barrett visited Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) this morning to learn about about renewable energy production.

The students, from grades 10 to 12, toured the various stages and processes of ethanol production at CVEC, which produces 50 million gallons of ethanol a year.

“We were pleased to welcome students from West Central Area today. These tours provide our staff an opportunity to showcase the many positive benefits of homegrown ethanol production and potential career opportunities available in the ethanol industry,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

During the tour, the students 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 was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. CVEC and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.

“Through these tours, students learn how ethanol boosts the economy in rural Minnesota, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, saves consumers at the pump and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

West Central Area's Agriculture Instructor, Eric Sawatzke, brought his Ag 9 and On-the-job Training classes for today’s tour.

“Our students live in western Minnesota and many live on crop farms but may not know what their crops are used for. Others might be interested in career opportunities within the biofuels industry but need to be exposed to those options in order for them to consider the possibilities,” said Sawatzke.

He said biofuels are part of the curriculum for his Ag 9 class.

“Ethanol plays a big role in the lives of many students at West Central Area whether they know it or not. Many of the students live on farms that produce corn that will be converted into ethanol. Some of these students may very well end up in the ethanol industry in the future and this tour could have an impact on them many years from now,” Sawatzke added.

KS95athighlandminnocoQ42019St Paul, Oct 17 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today at Highland Service Minnoco on Snelling Avenue to reward drivers who fueled up with Unleaded 88 (E15) during an hour-long promotion.

From 12pm to 1pm, drivers who fueled up with E15 were rewarded with prizes that included $20 in cash, tickets to the Crayola Experience, gift cards to Applebee’s, Herbie’s On The Park and Seven Steakhouse and KS95 merchandise.

“Today’s promotion was the 14th time this year we’ve partnered with KS95 at a gas station in the Twin Cities metro to promote E15, which is cheaper than regular gas, made in Minnesota and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.

KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, and MN Biofuels staff were at Highland Service Minnoco educating drivers on the benefits of using E15 during today’s promotion.

Nearly 7 million gallons of E15 was sold in Minnesota in August, bringing the total volume of E15 sold in the first eight months of the year to 50.57 million gallons.

The total volume of E15 sold in Minnesota in 2018 was 59.4 million gallons.

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Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy, discussing ethanol production with Margaret Hart from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture during yesterday's tour.

Minneapolis, Oct 24 – Seven Minnesota state agency commissioners toured Guardian Energy yesterday to learn about the plant’s state-of-the-art production capabilities and the role the ethanol industry plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously boosting the state’s economy.

“We were pleased to welcome the commissioners and key personnel from their respective agencies to our plant yesterday. Guardian Energy was established in 2009 and has since become one of the largest ethanol plants in the state. During that time, we have also made great strides in improving efficiency and reducing the amount of energy and water needed to produce a gallon of ethanol,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.

The commissioners who participated in the tour were Steve Grove (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development), Sarah Strommen (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources), Steve Kelley (Minnesota Department of Commerce), Margaret Anderson – Kelliher (Minnesota Department of Transportation), Cynthia Bauerly (Minnesota Department of Revenue), Laura Bishop (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) and Nancy Leppink (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry).

Personnel from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources also attended the tour.

The tour was organized by the Department of Employment and Economic Development as part of its Minnesota Business First Stop initiative.

During the tour, the commissioners were also briefed on how Minnesota’s ethanol industry impacts the state’s economy.

In 2018, the industry produced 1.27 billion gallons of ethanol which in turn contributed $2.3 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, generating $6.9 billion in gross sales for Minnesota businesses and supported 20,137 jobs.

Guardian Energy, in particular, uses 50 million bushels of corn annually to produce 150 million gallons of ethanol, 300,000 tons of dried distiller’s grains and 44 million pounds of corn oil a year.

The corn used by Guardian Energy is sourced within 75 miles of the plant from over 2,000 farmers.

“As the state looks at ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, yesterday’s tour demonstrated how ethanol can play a critical role in achieving that goal while boosting the rural economy in Minnesota,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. 

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Commissioners and other agency personnel at Guardian Energy's DDGS storage facility.

RRC Ag Exploring Class 8th Grade October 2019Minneapolis, October 25 – Eleven students from Red Rock Central Public School traveled across town yesterday to visit Highwater Ethanol and learn about renewable energy production. 

“This is the third straight year students from Red Rock Central Public School have toured our plant. Ethanol production plays a vital role in boosting the economy in Lamberton and other parts of rural Minnesota,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.

The students, from the school’s Exploring Agriculture class, were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which produces 59.5 million gallons of ethanol a year.

During the visit, the students, all eighth-graders, toured the plant’s administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Highwater Ethanol and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.

“It is important for students to visit their local ethanol plant and understand the role ethanol plays in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and making America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It currently has 41 fulltime employees.

Megan Chicos, Agricultural Teacher at Red Rock Central Public School, accompanied her students during today’s tour.

“This tour was beneficial to see how ethanol is produced after learning about it in class. It was also beneficial to learn about careers within ethanol production, especially since we have Highwater Ethanol in our town,” she said.

ks95atwinnerrichfieldQ42019Minneapolis, October 28 –The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM rewarded over twenty drivers who made the switch to Unleaded Plus (E15) at the Winner station in Richfield on Oct 25.

During the hour-long promotion from 12 pm to 1 pm, consumers who fueled up with E15 won prizes that included $20 in cash, tickets to the Crayola Experience, gifts cards to Applebee’s, Herbies on the Park and Seven Steakhouse, along with KS95 merchandise.

KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, and MN Biofuels staff were at the station during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.

“Last Friday’s event was our 15th joint-promotion with KS95 this year. Through these events, we have had the opportunity to educate drivers on how using E15 reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, boosts the economy in Minnesota and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

Nearly 7 million gallons of E15 was sold in August, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. In total, the volume of E15 sold in 2019 as of end-August was 50.57 million gallons.

The total volume of E15 sold in Minnesota in 2018 was 59.4 million gallons. There are currently 362 stations in Minnesota that offer E15. Click here to find a station offering E15.

Guardian10302019MSUnewMinneapolis, November 1 – Thirteen students from Minnesota State University, Mankato toured Guardian Energy in Janesville yesterday afternoon to learn about locally produced biofuel production.

“Tours such as these educate students on the various roles ethanol plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the economy and improving our nation’s energy security,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.

During the tour, the students, who were from the university’s Agroecology class, learned about several components of ethanol production including 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 Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Guardian Energy is the largest ethanol plant in Minnesota and produces 150 million gallons of ethanol a year. Both Guardian Energy and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.

Yesterday’s tour was the second time students from Minnesota State Mankato have toured Guardian Energy this fall. On Oct 3, students from the university’s Biological Engineering Analysis class visited Guardian Energy.

“We appreciate having the opportunity to engage with higher education students on the finer details of ethanol production. Many of these college students may consider possible career opportunities in the ethanol industry following yesterday’s tour,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the MN Biofuels.

Minnesota State Mankato biology professor, Christopher Ruhland, who accompanied his students during yesterday’s tour, said biofuels are a part of his course syllabus.

“Scaling up from a benchtop to a fully operational plant is always an impressive sight to see.  Learning about a process is one thing, but actually seeing it in action is always an eye-opener,” said Ruhland.

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Minneapolis, November 5 – Environmental and technical services provider, BLOC Environmental, has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) as a vendor member.

“We are pleased to welcome BLOC Environmental as our newest member. BLOC Environmental serves the ethanol industry by providing transparent and cost-effective technical services and third-party audits,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.

Founded in 2013, BLOC Environmental offers an extensive portfolio of environmental, health, security, and safety consulting services. The company has offices located in San Antonio, Houston, Philadelphia, Omaha and Longview.

“Bloc joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association so that we could continue to learn from and network with other professionals in the ethanol industry.  We’ve already begun to strengthen the relationships with some of the good folks we’ve met through MN Biofuels,” said Bridgett Morales, executive vice president at BLOC Environmental.

According to Morales, BLOC calls their approach “blue collar consulting” as they focus not only on technical services, but also on third party audits, project management, training and other Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) and Process Safety Management (PSM) programs. 

“We quickly identified that ethanol as an industry seemed to be under-serviced compared to larger industrial facilities and we committed to create solutions that would provide not only cost savings to our ethanol clients, but also establish strong partnerships with them,” Morales said.

The company’s other services to the ethanol industry include New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) Kb Tank Seal Inspections, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) Camera Surveys, auditing and training along with inventory tagging and Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR services).

Morales said BLOC Environmental’s client services managers are committed to safety and compliance and have established solid working relationships with their clients in the ethanol industry. 

Learn more about BLOC Environmental here.

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Picture Caption: (from left to right) Bridgett Morales (Executive Vice President and Co-Founder) and Colin Sheffield (President and Co-Founder) at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Indianapolis in June of 2019.

Winthrop ethanol rail yard

Minneapolis, November 8 – Fourteen high school students from Sibley High School visited Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop yesterday to get a better understanding of clean renewable fuel production.

The students, from grades 10 to 12, toured the various processes of ethanol production at Heartland Corn Products which produces 113 million gallons of ethanol a year.

“This is the third time Sibley East High School has visited our facility over the past few years to see first-hand how Minnesota renewable energy is produced,” said Scott Blumhoefer, vice-president at Heartland Corn Products.

During the tour, the students learned about 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 (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota.  Heartland Corn Products is a member of MN Biofuels.

Heartland Corn Products was founded in 1992 as a farmer-owned cooperative with approximately 900 owners and is one of the largest plants in Minnesota.

“These tours teach students how ethanol reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, lowers prices at the pump and drives the economy in rural America,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.

Stephanie Brandt, agriculture teacher with Sibley East High School, accompanied her class during yesterday’s tour. She had previously toured the plant with her students in the fall of 2017.

“Students now understand the technologies that go into ethanol production,” said Brandt.