Press Releases
Minneapolis, Apr 2 - Twenty-eight students from Cedar Mountain High School toured Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton on March 27 to learn more about ethanol production.
“We were pleased to welcome Cedar Mountain High School’s students to get a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced.
“During the tour, they learned about the ethanol production process and its role in creating jobs in rural Minnesota while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The students, from grades 7 to 12, visited 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 during the tour.
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, which produces 59.5 million gallons of ethanol a year, and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.
"We believe it’s important for students to visit their local ethanol plants to learn more about ethanol and its economic and environmental benefits,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Hannah Wilts, Agriculture Instructor at Cedar Mountain High School, accompanied her students during last week’s tour.
“This ethanol plant tour was beneficial because it gave the students an opportunity outside of the classroom to see careers in action.
“Without this tour, they wouldn’t have any idea that this would even be an option for them. I have now had a few students say that they know they could have a career in ethanol,” she said.
Minneapolis, April 8 – Twenty-two high school students from Minnewaska High School toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) on April 5 to gain a better understanding of renewable fuel production.
The students, from grades 9-12, toured the various process of ethanol production at CVEC, which has an annual output of 50 million gallons.
"These tours provide us with the opportunity to show students how Minnesota-produced ethanol displaces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, benefits the local economy and increases our energy independence,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.
During the tour, the students learned about the different stages in ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
The students were from Minnewaska High School’s Natural Resources and Ag Biotechnology classes.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider. Both CVEC and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.
“We were pleased to give these students their first ethanol plant tour. Every year, we bring hundreds of students to ethanol plants to learn how clean Minnesota renewable energy is produced,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
CVEC commenced operations in 1996 and currently has 50 employees.
Alana Caron, agriculture instructor at Minnewaska High School, said the tour demonstrated the important link between the agriculture and ethanol industries in Minnesota.
“Being from the Midwest, ethanol plants are very popular and are all around this area, I think it is important for students to know what ethanol is as it becomes bigger and continues to be used more in vehicles,” said Caron.
Minneapolis, April 10 – Twenty-seven students from Central High School in Norwood Young America visited Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop yesterday to get a closer look at how clean, homegrown renewable fuels are produced.
The students, from the school’s Small Gas Engines class, toured the various processes of ethanol production at Heartland Corn Products, which produces 120 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“Today’s tour allowed us to showcase how the ethanol industry enhances Minnesota’s economy, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and makes America more energy independent,” said Scott Blumhoefer, Vice-President at Heartland Corn Products.
During the tour, the students from grades 9-12, 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 Minnesota’s ethanol industry. Heartland Corn Products is a member of MN Biofuels.
Today’s visit was also the fourth consecutive year Central High School has toured Heartland Corn Products.
“Central High School’s latest visit to Heartland Corn Products highlights the value educators see in bringing their students to tour an ethanol plant,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the MN Biofuels.
Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School, has accompanied his students for each of the school’s tours at Heartland Corn Products.
“Heartland Corn Products and MN Biofuels always put on a great tour. They really explain the ethanol process very thoroughly from just about all perspectives possible. We really get to see things in action at the plant. Students really enjoy it and learn a lot,” he said.
Mesik teaches his students about ethanol in both his Small Gas Engines and Natural Resource Science classes.
“Students talk about how they didn't realize that there is an animal feed byproduct in the end. They also see how ethanol benefits area farms by creating an additional market for the corn they are raising. We are using a lot of ethanol in vehicles these days and we grow a lot of corn, so being informed consumers and citizens are a good thing,” he said.
Janesville - April 16- Fourteen students from St Peter High School toured Guardian Energy in Janesville this morning to learn about homegrown renewable fuel production.
During the tour, the students, who were from the school’s plant science class, learned about several components of ethanol production including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.
“We provided the students a first hand look at the important role science plays in ethanol production as well as the importance of the ethanol industry to the economy in rural Minnesota and the environment,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.
The students were from grades 10-12.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). Guardian Energy, a member of MN Biofuels, is the largest ethanol plant in Minnesota and produces 150 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“With these tours, we are able to educate students on the importance of a homegrown renewable fuel and how it reduces prices at the pump and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Gena Lilienthal, agriculture science instructor at St Peter High School, said her students had learned about alternative plant uses and completed a lab that measured the energy content in ethanol.
“Exposing our students to numerous career opportunities is always very beneficial. We have been learning about crop production and it was a great opportunity to complete our unit by learning about the actual uses of our crops,” she said.
Plymouth, Apr 18 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers who chose Unleaded Plus (E15) during an hour-long promotion at the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
From 12 pm to 1 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded over 25 drivers who chose E15.
Among the prizes given included $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Twins, gift cards to Applebee’s and Chili’s, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo and KS95 merchandise.
KS95 personality, Rudy Pavich, was at the station with MN Biofuels’ staff educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“Today’s promotion was an opportunity for us to talk to drivers on how using E15 saves them at the pump, boosts Minnesota’s economy, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
He added MN Biofuels and KS95 will be teaming up again in the coming weeks at several more stations in the Twin Cities metro to educate more drivers on E15.
Minneapolis, April 23 – Forty-seven students from Pierz Healy High School toured Central Minnesota Renewables (CMR) in Little Falls yesterday to learn more about clean Minnesota-produced renewable chemicals.
“We were pleased to welcome Pierz Healy High School to our plant to learn about locally produced bio-based chemicals. Tours like this are an opportunity for students to engage with our employees on the facility’s production processes and to highlight renewable chemical’s many benefits,” said Jonathan Olmscheid, VP of Finance at CMR.
CMR produces renewable chemicals such as acetone and n-butanol from corn and has a 45 percent greater carbon efficiency during production in comparison to petroleum-based chemicals.
During the tour, the students visited CMR’s administrative office, energy center, fermentation, distillation, laboratory operations, control room, protein and fiber storage, incoming grain handling and storage and chemical loadout areas.
The students, from grades 10 to 12, were from Pierz Healy High School’s agriculture business and natural resource classes.
CMR’s renewable chemicals are used as raw materials in many consumer products such as Kingsford GreenFlame charcoal lighter fluid, Beauty Secrets acetone nail polish remover, paints, adhesives and coatings.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol and renewable chemical industries in Minnesota. CMR is a member of MN Biofuels.
“It’s important for students to learn about clean, Minnesota-produced renewable chemicals and how they reduce harmful emissions and support the local economy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
Pat Tax, who teaches agriculture at Pierz Healy High School, said her students had learned about fermentation processes prior to today’s tour.
“I want the students to understand that we are trying to mitigate our dependence on foreign sources for energy and to see that their crops are helping, plus a look at how renewable chemicals are processed,” Tax said.
New Hope, April 24 – For the second straight week, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up to reward drivers in the Twin Cities metro for choosing E15 (Unleaded 88).
During an hour-long promotion from 12pm to 1pm at Now Mart on Bass Lake Road in New Hope, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded over 20 drivers who chose Unleaded 88 at the pump.
Among the prizes given included tickets to the Minnesota Twins, $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, gift cards to Chili’s and KS95 merchandise.
Rudy Pavich, from KS95’s Morning Show, was at the station with MN Biofuels’ staff educating consumers on the benefits of using Unleaded 88.
“Now Mart began operations in February and has been providing drivers in New Hope the option of using a cleaner fuel that’s made in Minnesota and is cheaper than regular gas,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Last week, MN Biofuels and KS95 teamed at the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth.
Minneapolis, April 29 – Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up for the third straight week today - this time at the Stop N Shop on First Avenue in Minneapolis – to reward drivers who fueled up with Unleaded Plus (E15) during an hour-long promotion.
During the promotion – from 12pm to 1pm – MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded drivers who chose E15 with prizes that included tickets to Minnesota Twins, $20 in cash, gift cards to Chili’s, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo and KS95 merchandise.
Rudy Pavich, from KS95’s Morning Show, was at the station with MN Biofuels’ staff to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“Today’s event was our third joint-promotion in as many weeks with KS95 and we’ve found that more and more drivers want to use a fuel that reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, is cheaper than regular unleaded, helps Minnesota’s economy and makes us more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
MN Biofuels and KS95 were previously promoting E15 at the Now Mart station in New Hope last week and at the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth on April 18.
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Minneapolis, May 3 – Thirty students from Dawson Boyd High School visited Granite Falls Energy yesterday in Granite Falls to learn about homegrown renewable energy production.
During the tour, the students learned about the various processes of ethanol production at Granite Falls Energy, which produces 64 million gallons of ethanol a year.
“The ethanol industry is a vital economic driver within rural Minnesota and tours like these highlight the ethanol production process and its role in creating jobs and enhancing our environment," said Cory Heinrich, plant manager of Granite Falls Energy.
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, (MN Biofuels) a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Granite Falls Energy is a member of MN Biofuels.
“It’s important for students to learn how ethanol reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions, gives consumers savings at the pump and boosts Minnesota’s economy while making America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
Granite Falls Energy began operations in November 2005 and is comprised of over 900 investors. It currently has 42 employees.
Dawson Boyd High School’s agriculture teacher, John Shurb, said it was important for his students to understand how biofuels impact and interact with the local economy, environment and agriculture.
"We really enjoyed the tour from seeing the process from when the corn comes in to when it goes out as a finished product. The impact to our local economies was interesting to hear about and we enjoyed seeing the processes the plant uses to reduce their environmental impact," he said.
Minneapolis, May 7 – The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up today to reward drivers at the Winner station on Snelling Avenue in Roseville who chose E15 during an hour-long promotion.
From 12pm to 1 pm, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded drivers who chose E15 with prizes that included tickets to the Minnesota Twins, $20 in cash, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, tickets to Valley Fair, gift cards to Chili’s and KS95 merchandise.
Rudy Pavich, from KS95’s Morning Show, was at the station with MN Biofuels’ staff to educate drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“Today’s event was our fourth event in four weeks with KS95. At each event, we’ve found more and more drivers are interested in switching to a fuel that is cheaper at the pump, curbs greenhouse gas emissions, boosts Minnesota’s economy and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Prior to today’s event, both MN Biofuels and KS95 were previously promoting E15 at the Stop N Shop station in Minneapolis on April 29, Now Mart in New Hope on April 24 and the Holiday station on County Road 24 in Plymouth on April 18.
Heron Lake, May 14 – Thirteen students from Worthington High School visited the Heron Lake Bioenergy ethanol plant today to get a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.
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.
“We are always happy to give tours of our manufacturing plant and talk about the benefits ethanol brings to our community, consumers, local producers, and the environment,” said Brodie McKeown, plant manager at Heron Lake Bioenergy.
The students, all 12th graders from Worthington High 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.
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels), a nonprofit trade association which represents the state ethanol industry.
“These tours highlight the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into clean energy,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the MN Biofuels.
Heron Lake Bionenergy first began producing ethanol in 2007 and currently has 42 employees.
Deb Martin, agriculture instructor for Worthington High school accompanied her students for today’s tour.
“I think it’s a great tour because it’s fast-paced and there are lots of things for the kids to see and feel. Getting to talk to the people actually doing the job makes it more interesting for the kids. In addition, the people working with the kids are very friendly and down to earth which makes it easier for the kids to interact,” she said.
This is the third time Worthington High School has toured Heron Lake Bioenergy, previously touring in the spring of both 2017 and 2018.
“I would like to make this a regular part of my Ag 12 class. It is something the kids look forward to because they hear about it from the upperclassmen. The tour that the ethanol industry provides is a great learning opportunity for students; it also promotes a positive image in the community by their willingness to share what they do with the public,” Martin said.
Minneapolis, May 16 –For the fifth and final time this spring, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and KS95 FM teamed up – this time at the North Oaks Holiday in White Bear Lake - to reward drivers who chose Unleaded Plus (E15).
From 12pm to 1 pm today, MN Biofuels and KS95 rewarded drivers who chose E15 with prizes that included tickets to the Minnesota Twins, tickets to the St Paul Saints, $20 in cash, gift cards to Chili’s, tickets to the Minnesota Zoo, tickets to Valley Fair and KS95 merchandise.
Rudy Pavich from KS95’s Morning Show was at the station during the promotion educating drivers on the benefits of using E15.
“We spoke to many drivers today who didn’t hesitate to switch to E15, proving more and more drivers want to use a fuel that is cheaper than regular gas, has fewer greenhouse gas emissions, boosts Minnesota’s economy and makes us more energy independent.
“However, today’s event will be our last for the spring unless the EPA actually follows through with its promise to lift its nonsensical summertime restrictions on E15 by June 1,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.
Over the past five weeks, MN Biofuels and KS95 have been promoting E15 at various stations in the Twin Cities metro area.
These stations included the Winner in Roseville, the Stop N Shop in Minneapolis, Now Mart in New Hope and a Holiday station in Plymouth.
Minneapolis, May 23 – Water management solutions provider, Fremont Industries, has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as a vendor member.
“We are pleased to welcome Fremont Industries to our growing roster of members. Fremont Industries has been a leader in water management solutions in the ethanol industry,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Fremont Industries, based in Shakopee, is part of Japan’s Kurita Water Industries Ltd, a global leader in industrial water and process technologies.
“Fremont Industries has been a strong supporter of the ethanol industry for many years through both our national and state memberships in biofuels organizations. It is an honor to become a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association,” said Rob Herbon, director of corporate accounts at Fremont Industries.
The company currently services over 40 ethanol plants across 12 states that collectively produce 2.2 billion gallons of ethanol a year.
“The American farmer is under extreme pressure from low margins that are eating away any potential profits. The Big Oil push to gain small refinery exemptions has taken away ethanol blending volume. Less volume means oversupply of corn, which is leading to price destruction. Clean-burning ethanol made in America, is not only cleaner and greener, but the monies generated stay in America,” Herbon said.
Among Fremont Industries areas of expertise include zero liquid discharge, evaporator clean-in-place (CIP) programs and help, beerstone mitigation, process optimization training, plant optimization, reverse osmosis (RO) membrane and CIP help.
Herbon said Fremont Industries develops comprehensive, stage-by-stage cost/benefit analysis to provide ethanol producers with the most effective water treatment program with sustainable practice recommendations that promote energy conservation, water reuse and cleaner discharge.
In March this year, another Minnesota-based water management provider, U.S. Water, joined the North American Kurita Group of companies.
Alongside Fremont Industries, Herbon said both companies will strive to provide a total solutions approach to ethanol producers throughout Minnesota and the rest of the country.
Learn more about Fremont Industries here.
Picture caption: The Combined Fremont Industries and U.S. Water teams.
Minneapolis, May 24 – Twenty-seven high school students toured the Al-Corn Clean Fuel ethanol plant in Claremont on Wednesday, May 22 to gain a better understanding of renewable fuel production.
The students, from Austin High School, toured the various processes of ethanol production at the 125 million gallon-a-year facility.
“By getting a first-hand look at our operations, students are given a chance to see and understand the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into clean energy,” said Randall Doyal, chief executive officer at Al-Corn Clean Fuel.
The students, from grades nine to 12, were from Austin High School's Plant Science and Introduction to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources classes. During the tour, they learned about the different components of ethanol production such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, grain storage, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product 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. Al-Corn Clean Fuel is a member of MN Biofuels.
“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 MN Biofuels.
Al-Corn Clean Fuel was built in 1995 and recently completed its $146 million modernization and expansion project in mid-2018. The plant regularly hosts tours of its facilities.
Austin High School's agriculture teacher, Linnay Schweisthal, accompanied her students during yesterday's tour.
“Ethanol and other renewable fuels are increasing in popularity because of availability and cost, giving the students the opportunity to see first-hand how fuel goes from a raw commodity to a usable fuel product will give them more knowledge to be an informed consumer. Ethanol is a large part of Minnesota's economy and all students will benefit from the availability of this renewable product,” Schweisthal said.
Minneapolis, May 31 – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued its final rule that lifts the summertime ban on E15.
In its final rule, the EPA said it was extending a 1-psi reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver to E15 during the summer months.
“We are pleased that the EPA has finally lifted the RVP ban on E15. Drivers in Minnesota and elsewhere will finally get to use E15 during the busy summer driving season,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels).
The EPA said the RVP waiver for E15 will take effect immediately as “when the agency grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction, affected parties do not need a reasonable time to adjust because the effect is not adverse.”
In addition to lifting the summertime ban on E15, the EPA said it was finalizing reforms to the RINs market. These reforms include requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds and the collection of additional data to improve transparency and EPA oversight.
“We will be working with fuel retailers to ensure they are aware of the EPA’s new rule so that drivers in Minnesota will be able to choose E15 on June 1,” Rudnicki said.
Minneapolis, June 3 – Renewable energy consulting firm, EcoEngineers, has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as a vendor member.
“We are pleased to count EcoEngineers as a vendor member. EcoEngineers has helped the ethanol industry navigate complex and ever-changing compliance requirements over the years,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
Established in 2009, EcoEngineers was formed to assist the clean energy industry in, among others, carbon modeling and measurement, energy credit validations and quality control requirements.
“EcoEngineers is a renewable energy consulting firm celebrating 10 years of service to the biofuel industry in 2019.
“Our foundational mission was to help the biofuel producer navigate state and federal clean energy regulations like the Renewable Fuel Standard and Low Carbon Fuel Standard programs,” said Kathy Macbeth, director of sales and marketing at EcoEngineers.
She said the company’s core service offering has since been expanded to include audit, compliance management and consulting services.
The company has also built a deep bench of technical expertise and demonstrated its commitment to the ethanol industry by helping to pioneer the kernel fiber pathway, expanding production through EP3 (efficient producer petition process) and reducing the carbon intensity of ethanol production, Macbeth said.
Other services offered by EcoEngineers to the ethanol industry include energy management solutions, RIN management and compliance support, regulatory consulting, strategy development and advocacy support and Eco University training and education programs.
“We joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association to support Minnesota's biofuel producers connect to new markets, protect their investment and maximize the value of their energy credits,” Macbeth said.
