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.