RFA Ethanol Podcast

ZimmCast 619 – President Trump’s Visit to Ethanol Plant

Chuck Zimmerman

In this week’s program you will hear from industry attendees to President Trump’s visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in Council Bluffs, IA. Included in the program are: Mike Jerke, CEO, SIRE Craig Floss, President/CEO, Iowa Corn Growers Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Ross, farmer and 1st VP, NCGA Monte Shaw, Executive Director, IRFA Geoff Cooper, President/CEO, …

Audio, Biofuels, Energy, Ethanol, ZimmCast

GROWMARK Serves Energy Customers in Various Ways

Carrie Muehling

GROWMARK continues to serve customers in the energy sector, not just in the Midwest but across much of the United States. The agricultural cooperative markets 2.2 billion gallons on energy products throughout the territory it serves, including gasoline fuel, propane and lubricants. This presence includes 140 different fuel terminals and 235 retail stations. GROWMARK is also the fourth largest propane …

Audio, Cooperatives, Energy, GROWMARK

Sen. Grassley Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was honored at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) in Washington DC this week with the Holmberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy. Accepting the award, Grassley said he was honored, but noted that his “work’s not done yet.” The Iowa senator, who has been a champion of renewable energy for decades, gave a fiery address …

Biodiesel, Biofuels, Energy, Ethanol

Solar Project New to GROWMARK Distribution Facility

Carrie Muehling

GROWMARK has been looking at alternative sources of energy for its Alpha, Ill. distribution center since 2010. After previous opportunities to use solar or wind power did not add up for the company, they found the right fit with a solar project completed in the summer of 2018. GROWMARK is working with Straight Up Solar and investment partner Shine Development …

Audio, Energy, GROWMARK

State of the Industry – Ethanol Strong

Jamie Johansen

The Reverend of Renewable Fuels took the stage at the 2018 National Ethanol Conference to give his annual State of the Ethanol Industry Address. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen said with confidence the state of U.S. ethanol is strong, because of the strong character of the people who call the ethanol community home. “I am more …

Ag Groups, Corn, Energy, Ethanol, RFA, Video

New TV Ad Recognizes President’s Support for Rural Communities

Chuck Zimmerman

President Trump’s support for biofuels is getting some recognition. The nation’s top renewable fuel advocates have launched a new television ad recognizing President Trump’s steadfast support for rural communities, farmers, and workers in the biofuel sector. The ad responds directly to oil industry attacks on the president for his long-standing commitment to growth under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …

Biofuels, Energy, Ethanol, Video

FS FAST STOP Retailers Registered as TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel Sites

Cindy Zimmerman

FS FAST STOP locations are among the first to become registered TOP TIER™ Diesel Fuel sites under a program developed by leading diesel equipment manufacturers who recognized the benefits of additized diesel fuel in their engines. The TOP TIER program, originally launched in 2004, focused on gasoline standards before introducing a diesel fuel standard this September. FAST STOP locations featuring …

Audio, Energy, FS System, GROWMARK

Corn Stover Could Generate Electricity

Cindy Zimmerman

Two new studies show that generating energy from corn stover biomass could create a new market for farmers and increase the value of ethanol by reducing its overall carbon footprint. The studies are based on the premise that the crop residue left behind in the fields after corn to be used for ethanol is harvested. Iowa-based Regional Strategic, Ltd. examined …

Biofuels, Corn, Energy, Ethanol

Mexico’s Adoption of E10 Applauded

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like Mexico is jumping deeper into ethanol as a renewable fuel. The Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced recently a change that will increase the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended in Mexican gas supplies from 5.8 percent to 10 percent, except in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. The announcement modifies the Mexican …

Biofuels, Energy, Ethanol, International

GROWMARK Makes Energy Investments

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK announced two major energy-related investments last month that provide benefits for the members of the Illinois-based agricultural cooperative. First, GROWMARK acquired a propane terminal in Plattsburg, Missouri which is connected to the ONEOK pipeline, has 270,000 gallons of storage and the capability to load out two trucks at once. “It gives us another asset and access to propane,” said …

Audio, Energy, FS System, GROWMARK, Propane