Category: Ethanol

Potential changes to RFS harm nation’s corn growers

Posted on March 9, 2018

Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue (right) speaks with corn farmers at Commodity Classic

UPDATE TO THE BELOW POST:

Reports are now surfacing that a meeting will take place Monday to negotiate potential changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It is expected the meeting will include both supporters of the ethanol and the oil industry, including lawmakers and executives from each.

Potential outcomes from this meeting may include devastating changes to the RFS that would greatly impact the nation’s corn growers,

Take action now: Help protect the RFS

Posted on February 28, 2018

President Trump vowed to protect hard-working farmers and homegrown fuels like ethanol. But Texas Senator Ted Cruz and his home-state oil refiners want President Trump to betray that promise, just to boost surging profits for a few oil refiners.

After yesterday’s meeting at the White House, Cruz claims the administration is now “close” to accepting oil-backed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs); changes that would significantly threaten corn farmers in Minnesota and across the country.

Minnesota ethanol sales set records in 2017

Posted on February 9, 2018

The Minnesota Department of Commerce released its year-end station report outlining ethanol-blended fuel sales for 2017. The numbers detail the building momentum behind ethanol-blended fuels in Minnesota.

First, 2017 was a banner year for E15, which totaled more than 19 million gallons in sales. Compare that volume to 2016 when 5.7 million gallons were sold, and it is more than a 230-percent increase year-over-year. More than 4.6 million gallons were sold in December 2017 alone.

MCGA discusses biofuels during Small Grains Update

Posted on January 26, 2018

The annual Small Grains Update was held last week in northern Minnesota, as representatives from commodity groups and researchers came together to discuss the topics of most interest to farmers in the region. Mitch Coulter, commodity marketing and biofuels director for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), joined the group on the series, which began in Morris and ended in St. Hilaire.

Approximately five years ago, Minnesota Wheat Executive Director David Torgerson began working with MCGA and the Minnesota Soybeans Growers Association (MSGA) to develop a series of educational meetings that provide an efficient route for farmers to learn about the latest research and updates from the state’s ag sector.

MCGA to show how “MN Corn Grows MN” at Ag EXPO

Posted on January 15, 2018

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) will yet again have a large presence at MN Ag EXPO 2018, held in Mankato Jan. 24-25 at the Verizon Wireless Center. Located in booth 47, MCGA will be telling the many stories of how “MN Corn Grows MN.”

Introduced at Farmfest in August, the “MN Corn Grows MN” campaign was launched to build awareness around the many ways the state’s corn sector benefits all Minnesotans.

Moving billboards celebrate ethanol on grain trucks statewide

Posted on January 4, 2018

(Ethanol decals were dispersed at the recent Nicollet-Sibley Corn & Soybean Growers Annual Meeting)

Drivers who recently found themselves behind a grain truck may have noticed new signage touting the benefits of ethanol. Decals were distributed to farmers for placement on grain trucks statewide to promote the use of ethanol as part of an effort organized by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA).

Each sign cites why ethanol should be celebrated in American fuels.

Ethanol and its future in retail to be examined at Ag EXPO

Posted on January 4, 2018

The past year has been encouraging for ethanol, as important milestones were met and progress was made in spreading awareness of the new unleaded 88 octane (E15) fuel option at the pump.

Ron Lamberty, senior vice president for the American Coalition of Ethanol, will be giving a presentation at MN Ag EXPO 2018, held Jan. 24-25 in Mankato, examining the future of ethanol from a retail perspective, including its growing benefit to retailers and consumers.

EPA sets final required renewable fuel volumes

Posted on November 30, 2017

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule today that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Total renewable fuel volume as part of the 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) is 19.29 billion gallons, which is relatively flat compared to 2017 volumes (19.28 billion gallons).

Of the 19.29 billion gallons, 15 billion gallons must come from conventional biofuels. Advanced and cellulosic biofuels, often made from dried distillers grains (DDGS) and corn residue,

Twin Cities drivers take notice of 88 Octane at the pump

Posted on November 21, 2017

Drivers who have been making their way through the Twin Cities this fall and early winter are noticing a cheaper fuel that offers better engine performance called 88 Octane. Better known as E15, the fuel isn’t actually new, however. What is new is the approach taken by the American Lung Association in Minnesota (ALAM) to market it.

ALAM has been a longtime partner of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association in its efforts to market the cleaner burning fuel’s air quality benefits,

E15 hits an important milestone in Minnesota

Posted on November 10, 2017

Earlier this month an important milestone was hit in the world of ethanol when total locations selling E15 surpassed 200.

The road to the milestone began in October 2013 when the first E15 station was installed in Minnesota. By the end of 2014, there were 17 E15 locations statewide. Totals approximately double each year, until 2017 when stations went from 72 to an expected 225 by year’s end.

The rapid growth has been a joint effort by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA),

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