Jennings to speak on corn-based ethanol’s future at biomass conference
ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings will speak at the Biomass ’10 Workshop on July 20-21 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The workshop, sponsored by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), will focus on trends and opportunities in biomass.
Jennings will join a panel that includes representatives of EERC, the Harris Group Inc., and Argonne National Laboratory. For more information about the event, visit www.undeerc.org/biomass10/.
ACE member Ron Fagen responds to misleading editorial by Minnesota group
Last month, a group called Minnesota 2020 published an op-ed declaring “the ethanol boom is over,” citing several inaccurate and out-of-context quotes from ACE member Ron Fagen, President & CEO of Fagen, Inc. of Granite Falls, Minnesota. He has written an op-ed in response to the article and asked that all ACE members have a chance to see it. You can read Fagen’s op-ed on ACE’s blog at www.ethanol.typepad.com.
Ethanol Today conference issue coming soon
The August/September issue of Ethanol Today is the most widely distributed edition of the year, and it provides a great opportunity to share your company’s story to readers across the ethanol industry. Visit www.ethanoltoday.com to view our reasonable advertising rates and package offerings. Contact Lacey Dixon ([email protected], 605-334-3381) with any questions or to reserve your space today!
Golden Grain Energy interviewed on Gulf oil spill
Last month, ACE member Walt Wendland, President and CEO of Golden Grain Energy, was interviewed by KIMT-TV of Mason City, Iowa on the impact of the Gulf oil spill and the importance of moving toward renewable alternatives.
“American agriculture and ethanol production in the U.S. has become far more efficient and less costly than oil, and oil production in the U.S. has become far costlier and riskier proposition,” Wendland said. “I’ve always said if we’re serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we’re not going to do it with 10 percent ethanol,” he added.
ACE members encouraged to meet with Congressional delegations during August recess
The August Congressional recess is an ideal time for ethanol advocates to meet with their delegations while they’re in the home state or district. Congress is scheduled to be on recess from August 9 through September 4. The American Coalition for Ethanol is encouraging all its members to call your local Congressional offices and schedule meetings during the month of August to discuss VEETC, fuel choice legislation, and E15. Please contact the ACE office if you need any assistance.
Lamberty promotes blender pumps, South Dakota grant funding
Throughout April and May, ACE Vice President/Market Development Ron Lamberty worked with petroleum marketers to explain the benefits of installing blender pumps. Seminars were held in April in cities across South Dakota to encourage station owners to apply for the state’s $1 million infrastructure grant program. Lamberty, along with pump company and state government representatives, helped answer questions at the seminars about the program which will provide up to $10,000 per blender pump dispenser to qualified applicants. Applications were accepted through May 28, and the new blender pumps will be installed throughout the remainder of 2010.
Jennings to speak at MN Ag Leadership Conference
Brian Jennings will be a featured speaker at the Minnesota Agriculture Leadership Conference to be held August 8-11 near Brainerd. He will address the importance of ethanol tax credits, the secondary tariff, and the jobs created by the ethanol industry. VEETC and other pending legislation will be key discussion points. The conference agenda will focus on the state of the markets, biofuel issues, and the 2008 and 2012 farm bills.
Bill Couser receives award for environmental stewardship
Bill Couser has received the 2010 Iowa Environmental Stewardship Award from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Couser is a Nevada, Iowa cattleman, board member of Lincolnway Energy, and president of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He was recognized for his efforts to promote cattle production in Iowa, and for his work to build a new monoslope feedlot structure that uses a sloped roof to control rain and snow runoff while protecting the cattle. Congratulations, Bill!
ACE member Ray Defenbaugh receives Master Farmer Award
Ray Defenbaugh has received the Master Farm Award from Prairie Farmer for his exceptional community service and farm management abilities. Ray is the President/CEO/Chairman of ethanol producer Big River Resources, LLC. Prairie Farmer is the oldest continuously published farm periodical in the United States. A ceremony on March 10 honored Defenbaugh and three other Illinois farmers with the prestigious award.