Biofuels leader retires from MN Dept of Agriculture
The Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) is often credited for propelling the growth of biofuels in Minnesota, as retailers offering higher blends of ethanol went from 40 in 2015 to more than 350 today. A key figure in the program’s success and a pivotal biofuels advocate, Kevin Hennessy recently retired as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) bioenergy manager.
In his role with MDA, Hennessy spearheaded efforts to form a coalition of biofuel advocates starting in 2013, including the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), to invest in ethanol infrastructure. With Hennessy’s leadership, the group’s investment resulted in more than 40 Minnesota stations installing about 120 flex pumps by 2015. The modest beginning was a sign of things to come under Hennessy’s leadership.
“Well before the implementation of federal funding through BIP, Kevin was working hard to bring stakeholders together to form this coalition,” Mitch Coulter, commodity marketing and biofuels director for MCGA. “He really served as the glue that brought us all together.”
MCGA would go on to work closely with Hennessy in the implementation of the BIP program when it was announced in 2015. Hennessy played a pivotal role as the connection between the biofuel coalition and the retailers.
MEG Corp Project Manager Kelly Marczak has worked closely with Hennessy since her time as the senior regional director with the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, which played a large role in implementing the BIP program. Marczak lauded Hennessy’s ability to connect with biofuel partners to develop the strategies and a program that he then communicated with retailers, raising awareness of the benefits of adding higher ethanol blends to their fuel options.
“Kevin is detailed, data-driven, and determined—important qualities for successfully implementing a huge infrastructure program like BIP, for advocating for biofuel advancement via state programs and laws, and for educating the public and colleagues about the benefits of biofuel use,” Marczak said. “Ethanol fuels, and all of us working to increase their use, have been lucky to have Kevin in our corner.”
Looking back on his career with MDA, Hennessy points to the implementation of the BIP program as an achievement he is most proud of. While the program is looked at as a great success for Minnesota, he admits there were some speed bumps along the way. He credits the great partnerships for seeing BIP through.
“I have to admit BIP almost looked like a failure at one point, but it was one of those things,” Hennessy said. “Like in hockey, you got to keep your head up. We just kept our heads up and took it one day at a time. When you work with great people who don’t give up, good things happen.”
With a successful implementation of BIP, federal and state officials attended a celebration at the Plymouth Holiday Superstation store in December of 2018. Hennessy saw the fruits of his labor as Minnesota passed 400 E85 stations and 350 E15 stations, growing E15 sales from 42,000 gallons in 2013 to 78.5 million in 2019.
“Kevin Hennessy can hold his head high as he retires with so many great achievements in the biofuels industry,” Coulter said.
