Category Archives: RFA

E-85 Fuelfinder App From Renewable Fuels Association

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The Renewable Fuels Association just announced a new iPhone app – E-85 Fuelfinder (opens iTunes) to help flex-fuel drivers access the latest, most accurately geo-coded E85 stations throughout the United States. Can you say, E85 fuel? There’s an app for that! Hurry to get yours since it won’t be free for long.

This application will also work on the iTouch and iPad. The RFA will sponsor a free download for the first 500 users.

The E85 FuelFinder allows iPhone and iPad users all over the country to map out E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) stations most accessible to them, no matter their current location or destination. With the database embedded in the iPhone itself, this application is useful, even if the user is in a no-service zone. In addition, users have the ability to add a station as a “favorite” for quick and easy accessibility, view or update the price per gallon of E85 fuel at specific locations, access driving directions through Google maps, and directly contact a specific station via telephone. The cost of the application is $1.99, which you can download here, and is also available on the App Store. Continue reading →

Ethanol Tweeter Recognized for Use of Social Media

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afviThe Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) recognized outstanding use of social media in the alternative fuels industry as part of their 16th annual conference held this week in Las Vegas.

afvi robert white rfa awardRobert White, Director of Market Development for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), who tweets under the name @fuelinggood, was awarded the 24/7 Blend Award for “his leadership in industry-wide education about social media.” Robert helped RFA and other fuel advocacy groups get a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to provide social media training for clean energy stakeholders.

Robert was also recognized by Biofuels Digest as one of the top 20 “biofuels observers who are shaping opinion via Twitter.” He came in third on the list with nearly 4500 followers. Here is the whole list, which includes a few names you might recognize:

1. Vinod Khosla – writing as vkhosla – 31454 followers – 65 tweets
2. Solazyme – writing as SOlazyme – 8968 followers – 785 tweets
3. Robert White (RFA) – writing as fuelinggood – 4490 followers – 5421 tweets
4. Green Portland Info – writing as Green Posting – 4170 followers – 972 tweets
5. Renewable Energy World – writing as REWorld – 3619 followers – 2355 tweets
6. Missy Ruff – writing as renewablefuel – 2,839 followers – 4,063 tweets
7. Chuck Zimerman & AgWired – writing as AgriBlogger – 2,135 followers – 6,847 tweets
8. Sean O’Hanlon – writing as Sean_OHanlon – 1244 followers – 1761 tweets
9. Ashley Morrison – writing as EthanolFuel from Omaha, NE – 1,034 followers
10. RFA – 1,134 followers – 1709 tweets
11. AlgaeBiofuels – 863 followers – 16,374 tweets
12. Peter Went – writing as Energy_Risk – 719 followers – 11,855 tweets
13. Todd Neeley – writing as ethreporter – 688 followers 1129 tweets
14. Domestic Fuel – writing as DomesticFuel – 500 followers – 2078 tweets
15. Bob Dinneen (RFA) writing as ethanolbob – 421 followers -571 tweets
16. ACE – writing as blend_ethanol from Sioux Falls, SD 388 followers
17. Meghan Sapp – writing as SugarcaneBlog – 379 followers – 1150 tweets
18. POET Ethanol – Writing as ethanolbyPOET – 336 followers – 487 tweets
19. Matt Hartwig (RFA) – writing as matthartwig – 246 followers – 401 tweets
20. Todd Taylor – writing as cleamtechczar – 216 followers – 624 tweets

The Ethanol Industy Outlook From Reverand of Renewable Fuels

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Cindy is working at the National Ethanol Conference and captured the speech from the Reverand of Renwable Fuels, RFA President and CEO, Bob Dinneen, who faced a much happier crowd than last year for the opening session of the 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference.

“A year ago, at this event, we met amidst the worst economic climate since the Depression. Commodity markets were in upheaval, investment dollars had evaporated, gasoline demand was falling, production costs were rising, plants were closing and the very foundation of our industry and our economy was shaking,” said Dinneen. “At that time, I summoned Winston Churchill to admonish you, ‘When you‟re going through hell, keep on going!’”

Dinneen was happy to report that the industry did persevere and survive, “And now, I can say, with confidence and conviction, that the state of the U.S. ethanol industry is strong,” he said.

Among the accomplishments for the industry, Dinneen noted 15% growth, reopening 14 plants that had been previously idled, starting up 8 new plants, and adding1.5 billion gallons of capacity. The ethanol industry contributed $53.3 billion to the economy, along with 400,000 jobs and replacing 364 million barrels of oil.

There is an online photo album started from the event for your viewing pleasure: 2010 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Listen to Bob’s speech here:

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Getting Renewed With RFA

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ZimmCast 232 - What's New With RFAIt may be dairy week for ZimmComm but that doesn’t mean it’s the only segment of the industry we’re working on. I’ll be introducing you to a new client later this week for example that is also new to agribusiness. In the meantime, this week’s program is about an old client. And I don’t mean old as in “they’re old.” I mean one of our long time clients, the Renewable Fuels Association.

Renewable Fuels Association LogoAs I posted earlier, RFA has a new logo. That prompted me to call on CEO Bob Dinneen, the Reverend of Renewable Fuels, to find out what the new look signifies for the organization. To start with, Bob says that RFA has doubled in staff size in the last 18 months with new staff in the area of communications, research and lobbying. He sees a bright future for ethanol and RFA even in spite of continuing challenges like the proposed RFS2 that EPA is working on.

So, get up to date with RFA and listen to this week’s podcast. The program ends with some music from Music Alley (formerly Podsafe Music Network). It’s a song titled, “The Milk Mix” by The Mighty Blue Ford. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for listening.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page.

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New Logo For RFA

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Renewable Fuels Association LogoSometimes a new logo means there are big changes in a company. Not so with the Renewable Fuels Association, at least not in terms of the work they’re doing. They announced their new logo today but say the organization will supply the “same great service.”

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), long recognized as the voice of America’s ethanol industry, has gone through some changes in the past 24 months. New staff additions have bolstered the RFA’s already unparalleled expertise and expanded its activities beyond its traditional role as ethanol’s chief advocate in Washington.

Given the additions and expanded capabilities of the association, the RFA has refreshed its logo and color scheme. For more information on the logo, including how to use it in place of the old logo, please email Christina Martin at cmartin@ethanolrfa.org.

RFA President Bob Dinneen welcomed both the expanded capabilities of the association as well as the unveiling of the new logo:

“America’s ethanol producers are in a constant state of innovation, creating new processes and developing new technologies that will increase our ability to produce ethanol is an increasingly sustainable manner. As it is with the ethanol producers, so too is it with the trade association representing them. The Renewable Fuels Association has undergone a transformation over the past 24 months, adding expertise and capabilities to better serve America’s ethanol industry beyond its traditional role as the voice of the industry in Washington. Such expansion in the capabilities of the RFA required a refreshing of our logo and image. Thus, the new look – but same unparalleled expertise – of the Renewable Fuels Association. “

Posted in RFA

#FuelChat Scheduled

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fuel chatThe Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is hosting a second open on-line Twitter #FuelChat to answer questions and offer information about all things ethanol on September 23 at 2:00 pm Eastern time.

The first #FuelChat was held in July during the evening hours but after some consultation and research, it was decided that a daytime chat might be better for those who want to engage in the conversation. Topics for the conversation are in development and suggestions should be sent to #FuelChat.

Participants can use the application TweetChat, using #FuelChat to see live comments and questions being posted and join in the chat. For those not currently using Twitter, the first step is would be to set up an account with Twitter. Those who have never taken part in a live on-line chat are welcome to just tune in to see how it works.

Ethanol Education for FFA Members

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FFANational FFA members will be getting an education in the growing field of renewable fuels, thanks to a new partnership.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) are partnering with teachers and the National FFA Organization to provide tens of thousands of high school students information about the opportunities available to them in the field of renewable fuels.

RFFThe curriculum was designed to provide FFA members with details about the nature of the renewable fuels industry today and focuses on the ethanol production process, the benefits of ethanol production, the interplay between renewable fuels and agriculture, and wide range of other issues. The lessons are available through the Team Ag Ed Learning Center, a website designed to provide agriculture teachers with new and exciting instructional materials, tools and resources.

The RFF is also offering 10 scholarships to cover the cost of the registration fee for the National Ethanol Conference. More information is available here.

You Should Choose Ethanol

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Choose EthanolThe Renewable Fuels Association has launched a new online destination for ethanol information called Choose Ethanol.

The new website features a section dedicated exclusively to E85, plus a news center and quick facts, as well as links to follow RFA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

The site also invites visitors to sign up to “stay informed, share your stories and become a part of the discussion about clean, renewable fuel in the United States.”

The website address is www.chooseethanol.com.

Global Renewable Fuels Alliance Formed

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Global Renewable Fuels Association Press ConferenceAt the Conference today, the Renewable Fuels Association, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and the European Bioethanol Fuel Association announced the formation of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance. Pictured are (l-r), Bliss Baker, Executive Director, Global Renewable Fuels Alliance; Gordon Quaiattini, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association; Robert Veirhout, Secretary General, European Bioethanol Industry Organization; Bob Dinneen, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association.

Their first initiative is to reach out to the World Bank, along with other organizations, to encourage them to make investments in developing countries’ biofuels infrastructure a top priority.

While Brazil is not yet a part of this organization, Bliss Baker, Executive Director, of the Global Renewable FuelsAlliance, said that they have spoken and invited them, along with dozens of other worldwide organizations, to join the alliance. Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association followed up by saying, “Quite frankly, we expect them to join.”

Gordon Guaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, stressed the importance of helping developing countries develop their agricultural productivity. “Agriculture productivity and poverty are directly linked.” He wants this new organization to take a similar approach that leading agricultural groups have which includes helping developing countries adopt more sustainable practices while increasing output. He said that they will ensure that biofuels are developed in a sustainable manner that will allow poverty stricken areas to significantly increase their economic condition.

As energy is a global issue, this new alliance, which represents 60 percent of the global biofuels production and 29 countries, will focus on ensuring that international biofuels policies are sustainable, and developed in a way that each countries’ best interest as the center of all decisions.

You can listen to the full press conference here:

Listen to

2009 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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NFU President To Lead Growth Energy

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Growth EnergyGrowth Energy will be holding a press conference this morning just 15 minutes prior to the RFA press conference. Interesting timing.

Growth Energy Co-Chairman General Wesley Clark will announce two new members of the leadership team at Growth Energy on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Clark will name a CEO and a Senior Advisor, both known for their leadership and service, who will help Growth Energy achieve its goals of creating American jobs at home, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil through the expanded use of ethanol in our gasoline supply.

Several sources here at the National Ethanol Conference have told us that Tom Buis, President, National Farmers Union, will be announced as the new CEO for Growth Energy. I’ll be on the conference call to confirm this later this morning.

RFA will be announcing the formation of a new organization – Global Renewable Fuels Alliance.

With the growth of biofuels worldwide and the growing interest of companies and nations in reducing Green House Gas emissions, three of the world’s largest ethanol trade associations have decided to work together to promote biofuels worldwide.

WHAT:
Teleconference on announcement by ethanol industry trade associations from Canada, the United States, and twenty-seven European countries to announce formation of new global organization

WHO:
Bob Dinneen, CEO and President, Renewable Fuels Association, Gord Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and Rob Vierhout, Secretary General of the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (ebio), and Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the new organization.

Does it seem like we need more unity within the ethanol industry?

Biofuels Bloggers

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Chuck and Joanna at NECCindy snapped a photo of Joanna Schroeder and me working in the main conference session room. RFA set up a great work station for us with internet access, power outlets and our own mult box to record speakers.

Hint to all you conference organizers. It’s really great to provide media with a nice work station in the general conference room. Saves us having to run back and forth to the “media room.” Helps us to provide more immediate coverage of your event too.

We’ve posted a lot of content on about a half dozen websites not counting things like Twitter feeds. I’m ready for a blogging break. Thank goodness for reception time.

BTW. Here’s a link to my post on Twitter with a photo of Cindy and Joanna working.

RFA Kicks Off National Ethanol Conference

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Chris StandleeThe 2009 National Ethanol Conference got started this morning with a golf tournament and welcome from Renewable Fuels Association Chairman, Chris Standlee, Agengoa Bioenergy Corporation. Cindy and I will be covering the event courtesy of the RFA. We’ll also be posting content onto The Ethanol Report site for them.

Most of our coverage will appear on Domestic Fuel which just got a whole new look as of this morning. I hope you like the new theme.

Let’s get back to Chris. He’s expecting this to be a great conference and said that not only are we in oil country but that there are more attendees this year from the oil business than usual. Chris says that he’s very optimistic about the health of the ethanol industry even in light of the challenging year we just completed.

You can listen to my interview with Chris here:

Listen to

Keep an eye on our: National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

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New TV Ads From Renewable Fuels Association

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RFA Ethanol AdThe Renewable Fuels Association, a ZimmComm client, has some cool new tv ads out.

America’s ethanol industry has a fantastic story to tell. Beginning this week, that story is being told to millions of Americans as the Renewable Fuels Association launches two ads very clearly stating the benefits of today’s domestic renewable fuels industry.

Entitled “Faces” and “Places,” the two 30-second spots feature real Americans from Hereford, Texas who are actively leading America toward a more secure energy future. In “Faces,” local Hereford residents explain why ethanol is critical to America’s energy future. In “Places,” the geographic diversity of America’s ethanol industry is on display as the self-proclaimed “Beef Capital of the World” is also home to two ethanol biorefineries. As the Mayor puts it, Hereford is “the ethanol capital of Texas.”

“America’s ethanol producers are on the leading edge of an energy evolution in this country, but far too often aren’t given the credit they deserve,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen.

Here’s Places:


Places – TV Ad from GoodFuels on Vimeo.

Interview with the Secretary

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We like to pack as much into a trip as we can, so this morning we left Tampa early to get to Orlando for the Florida Farm to Fuel Summit where Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer was speaking.

Sec. Ed SchaferI got a chance to sit down with him and chat for a few minutes, and since this was mainly for programs I produce for Southeast AgNet, the questions all centered around Florida agriculture. We only had a few minutes and he had already hit on every other topic from energy to the Farm Bill to trade in his remarks. Schafer made a couple of other Florida stops after Orlando – in Gainesville and Jacksonville – so I asked him about that.

It was nice to finally get to meet the Secretary since Chuck has already had that pleasure a few times. Being at the summit also allowed us to gather content for Domestic Fuel and cover the meeting for another client, the Renewable Fuels Association. RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen addressed the group and I will be using some of the audio we gathered here to do a podcast for them. So, we killed quite a few birds with this one trip!

Listen to my interview with Secretary Schafer here:

Listen to

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Blogging the FEW

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Fuel Ethanol WorkshopThe 2008 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop is getting underway here in Nashville. One thing I have already noticed is the number of international visitors here. I met someone from Canada and a couple from India was ahead of me at registration and I have seen many more from various countries wondering around the resort wearing FEW badges. Seems like there are more than there were last year.

Today most attendees are either playing in the golf tournament or taking in the pre-conference seminar on “First and Second Generation Ethanol Production.”

The official kickoff for the conference will be at 5:30 p.m. with the opening of the Industry Expo in the Ryman Exhibit Hall featuring more than 600 exhibitors.

Just started a photo album – not much in it so far but will be adding lots more by tonight.

2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Thanks to the Renewable Fuels Association for sponsoring our coverage of FEW. Check out frequent updates on Domestic Fuel and Good Fuels.org.