ACE Calls on Advocates to Take Action to Support E15
As the June 1, 2023 summer driving season approached, ACE rallied over 130 advocates to call on the White House and EPA and urge the Biden Administration to take emergency steps to allow E15 nationwide during the 2023 summer driving season. On April 28, EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver for E15 sales this summer.
While emergency steps taken by the Biden administration to allow E15 year-round for 2022 and 2023 are much appreciated, extreme and unusual conditions will not forever roil the fuel marketplace, so emergency waivers cannot always be expected. It is time for permanent and nationwide market access for E15. ACE is now encouraging advocates to call on their members of Congress to support the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to clarify E15 should be allowed to be sold year-round in all areas of the country. Learn more at ethanol.org/action-center/.
Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Brings Students and Ethanol Plants Together
In March, Minnesota Bio-Fuels helped organize three different ethanol plant tours for local students to teach them about renewable fuel production. Al-Corn Clean Fuel of Claremont, MN, hosted students from Triton High School’s agricultural economics class, Highwater Ethanol of Lamberton, MN, hosted students from Sleepy Eye High School’s crop science class, and Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) of Benson, MN, hosted students from Ridgewater College’s animal nutrition class.
The tours covered the various stages of ethanol production, such as incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, ethanol storage and shipment and dried distillers grains production, storage and shipment.
“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, lowering prices at the pump and promoting energy independence,” said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater Ethanol.
The Ridgewater College Students were accompanied by Ridgewater College agriculture instructor, Kari Slinden. “Animal nutrition students from Ridgewater College in Willmar learned about the ethanol producing process by touring CVEC in Benson. Many students feed DDGs to their livestock or use other ethanol by-products. We discuss DDGs in class, so students enjoyed being able to understand the process by seeing it first-hand,” she said.
Nebraska Celebrates Renewable Fuels Month this May
Renewable Fuels Month highlights the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, especially for Nebraskans. The month of May usually marks the beginning of the summer driving season, making it an ideal time to fuel up on clean and cost-saving biofuels.
“Nebraska agriculture is well-positioned to greatly impact the country’s transition to be less carbon intensive. While new technologies find their footing, corn and soybeans grown right here in Nebraska will continue to feed and fuel the world for a long time,” said Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Fueled by Nebraska, a partnership of Nebraska biofuels organizations, and the Nebraska Soybean Board, invite you to join them to celebrate renewable fuels in your classrooms, at work, and in your community this May. Learn more and find ethanol retail locations at fueledbynebraska.com.
