Ethanol. Right. Now.

Letter to EPA: E15 for all vehicles, proper labeling, consumer choice

Brian Jennings, the American Coalition for Ethanol's Executive Vice President, wrote to U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on 12/16/09 -- here are some key excerpts from the letter:

“While ACE strongly preferred that EPA would have announced approval of the use of E15 in all motor vehicles on December 1, we also recognize the Agency was under extraordinary pressure from special interests that oppose biofuels to reject the waiver outright. In the letter dated November 30 explaining EPA’s decision, we are very gratified that the Agency refuted these critics of ethanol, affirming ACE’s long-held position, saying that ‘it is clear that ethanol will need to be blended into gasoline at levels greater than the current limit of 10 percent.’  This statement and others contained in your response encourage us that the approval of up to E15 is inevitable – a matter of when, not if.”

“If EPA approves the use of E15 in newer vehicles by mid-year 2010, it will be a step in the right direction, but ACE will continue to note that the data supports the use of E15 in all vehicles. It has been pointed out that the data available to date does not contain any ‘showstoppers’ regarding the use of E15 in vehicles older than the 2001 model year. Surely we can all agree that if the data supports the use of E15 in all vehicle engines, than dividing the vehicle fleet will only cause unnecessary confusion for motorists and complications for petroleum marketers."

“It is ACE’s strong contention that E15 should not be the highest and final mid-level blend of ethanol permitted to be used in the motor fuel supply,” ACE stated.  “Ultimately we need to provide a range of choices for consumers.  Lurching from the E10 blend wall to the E15 blend wall to the next blend wall is unintelligent and unsustainable.  Instead, ACE advocates for consumers to be able to use E10, E15, E20, E30, E85 or ‘ethanol-free’ gasoline, and we believe that when consumers are finally given these meaningful choices through blender pumps, they will select the fuel that works best in their vehicles.”

Read the full ACE letter here

What does the EPA announcement on E15 mean for ethanol?

From Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)

On December 1, the U.S. EPA announced its plan to take more time to study the data concerning our industry’s E15 waiver request, and to prepare for a final decision around June of this year.ACE views this as a “glass half-full” circumstance.  We would have strongly preferred that EPA approve the use of E15 in all cars now, yet we recognize the Agency was under pressure from special interests to reject the waiver. 

It is inescapable – approval of E15 is certain this year, and three encouraging details in EPA’s announcement give us clues to the direction they are heading.

First, in the letter explaining its decision EPA acknowledged “it is clear that ethanol will need to be blended into gasoline at levels greater than the current limit of 10 percent.”  They don’t simply mean E85; EPA recognizes for the first time that midlevel blends are necessary.

Second, EPA indicates that “our engineering assessment to date indicates that the fuel, engine, and emission control systems on newer vehicles (2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends such as E15.”  EPA cannot gracefully backpedal from a statement like that.

Finally, EPA announced plans to establish a working group, which ACE will participate in, to address retail labeling issues.  Again, this signals that EPA recognizes that E15 and other midlevel blends are bound to happen so they want to prepare retailers and consumers for the eventuality.

Between now and mid-year EPA plans to examine the catalyst durability data in a dozen cars and they indicate that based on the results of that data, the Agency may be in a position to approve E15 for newer cars (2001 or newer) by June.  This is directionally encouraging, but ACE will continue to make the case that the data supports the use of E15 in all vehicles, and we cannot be satisfied with E15 as the final move.

Further, it is ACE’s strong position that ultimately we need to shift the power to decide what fuels motorists use away from government agencies and oil companies and to the consumer.  We believe in maximum consumer choice to use E10, E15, E20, E30, E85, or “ethanol-free” gasoline, and ACE believes that when consumers are finally given these choices, they will select the ethanol-blended fuels that work best for them. 

That is why ACE will continue to work aggressively over the next several months to enact legislation introduced in the U.S. Senators Harkin (D-IA) and Lugar (R-IN) to provide incentives for the installation of blender pumps and to require the production of more FFVs.  Their legislation, S. 1627, the “Choice Act,” will be one of ACE’s top legislative priorities for 2010.  We encourage you to ask your Senators to cosponsor this bill.

EPA makes progress toward the approval of E15

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made an announcement today on the E15 waiver request, stating that it should be in a position by mid-2010 to approve E15 for vehicles model year 2001 and newer.

 

“While we would have strongly preferred that EPA approved E15 today for all vehicles, we’re pleased that progress is being made toward this goal,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).  “We are confident that in the long run the data will demonstrate that E15 and higher ethanol blends such as E20 and E30 can effectively be used in all vehicles.”

 

ACE is the nation’s largest ethanol advocacy association with nearly 1500 grassroots members nationwide and was one of the ethanol groups to submit the original waiver request on March 6 of this year. 

 

The EPA letter stated, “it is clear that ethanol will need to be blended into gasoline at levels greater than the current limit of 10 percent.”  The full letter can be read here.

 

“EPA’s recognition that ethanol will need to be blended at levels greater than 10 percent is significant,” said Lars Herseth, President of ACE.  “We look forward to the approval for E15 being granted mid-year, and we fully expect the testing to support the use of E15 and even higher blends in all passenger vehicles on America’s roads today.”

 

The EPA letter stated: “Although all of the studies have not been completed, our engineering assessment to date indicates that the robust fuel, engine, and emissions control systems on newer vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15.”

 

EPA said it is waiting for the full results of long-term testing by the U.S. Department of Energy on 19 vehicles, and although these tests are not expected to be done until August 2010, the agency expects to have a “significant amount” of the total data by mid-June.  “Should the test results remain supportive and provide the necessary basis, we would be in a position to approve E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles in the mid-year timeframe,” EPA stated.

 

EPA says it will be creating a working group to address the issues of fuel pump labeling, and ACE will be in contact with the agency to participate in this process.

 

“ACE has worked with America’s petroleum marketers for a decade to answering their questions about offering ethanol blends, and we look forward to working with EPA to help implement the use of E15 at gas stations nationwide.  The Blend Your Own Ethanol campaign is a perfect fit to help carry out this change,” said Ron Lamberty, Vice President / Market Development for ACE.

 

ACE’s market development program has worked with petroleum marketers for 10 years, and in August the “Blend Your Own Ethanol” (BYO) campaign was launched as a partnership between ACE, the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and leading corn-producing states.  “BYO” works to show gas station owners the benefits of blending ethanol and of using blender pumps, a single pump that uses two underground tanks to blend fuels from E10 to E85 and anything in between.

  

“EPA has acknowledged that we need to use higher ethanol blends, yet given EPA’s delay of the decision on E15, it is more important than ever that Congress enacts the Harkin-Lugar ‘Choice Act,’ S. 1627, which promotes flexible fuel vehicles, blender pumps, and ways for fuel retailers to economically add more options for their customers,” Jennings said.  “Ultimately we need to shift the power to decide what fuels motorists use away from government agencies and oil companies and to consumers.  We support maximum consumer choice for motorists to use E10, E15, E20, E30, E85, or ethanol-free gasoline, and we believe that when consumers are finally given these meaningful choices they will select the ethanol-blended fuels that work best in their vehicles.  Senate Bill 1627 will be one of ACE’s top legislative priorities for 2010.”

 

ACE will sponsor a grassroots “fly-in” to Washington, DC in March to lobby Congress to support the “Choice Act” legislation for blender pumps and FFVs and extension of tax credits for ethanol.  More details will be provided soon on the opportunities to participate in the grassroots “fly-in.”

 

ACE has researched the issue of higher blends for several years, data which was included in the E15 waiver request.  In 2006 a fuel economy study of blends between unleaded and E30 was conducted, plus the tear-down of a non-flex-fuel Chevrolet Tahoe that drove 100,000 miles almost exclusively on E85. In December 2007, ACE was the first biofuels advocacy group to bring the issue of midlevel blends to Capitol Hill with the unveiling of its “Optimal Blends” study which showed the potential of blends beyond E10 in standard vehicles and served as a catalyst for further study.  Just days before the E15 waiver request was filed in March, ACE brought 30 of its grassroots members to DC for a "fly-in" and met with Members of Congress and EPA Administrator Jackson to communicate the importance of moving beyond the E10 “blend wall.”  Nearly 7,000 people signed ACE’s pro-E15 petition, signatures which were submitted to EPA during the public comment period. 

 

ACE members include farmers, ethanol producers, industry suppliers, rural electric co-ops, the agriculture community, and others supportive of ethanol.  Learn more about ACE at www.ethanol.org or about the BYOethanol campaign at www.byoethanol.com.

New officers for the American Coalition for Ethanol board of directors

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors met today (11/12/09) and elected officers for the upcoming year, bringing even more grassroots representation and diversity to the nation’s largest ethanol advocacy association.

Lars Herseth was elected as President of the American Coalition for Ethanol by his peers on the Board.  He operates Herseth Ranch, his family farm near Houghton, SD, where he raises corn and soybeans along with a small cow/calf operation.  Herseth serves on the Board of Directors for Northern Growers LLC, the more than 900 member shareholders behind the POET Biorefining – Big Stone ethanol plant in Big Stone City, SD.  In addition to Big Stone, he is also an investor in the locally owned ethanol plants Glacial Lakes Energy LLC of Watertown, SD, Redfield Energy LLC of Redfield, SD, as well as Granite Falls Energy LLC of Granite Falls, MN.

Herseth served in the South Dakota State Legislature for many years, in the House of Representatives from 1975-1986 and in the Senate from 1989-1996.  He held various leadership positions, including House Minority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and Senate Pro Tempore.  Lars is the father of South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. 

Herseth takes the reins from Brian Wilcox of Nebraska Public Power District who became Acting President earlier this year when the position was vacated by Bob Scott, whose company, POET Ethanol Products, resigned from the Board.  POET and its representative Jeff Broin also resigned from the Board at that time to devote more time to the new trade association he formed last year.

Brian Wilcox was today re-elected to serve as Vice President, a leadership position he has held for several years. Owen Jones of 4 Seasons Co-op was re-elected as Treasurer. Jones is a farmer / rancher from Britton, South Dakota. 

Duane Kristensen of Chief Ethanol in Hastings, NE was newly elected as the organization’s Secretary.  Chief Ethanol began operations in 1985 and is Nebraska’s first dry mill ethanol plant.  American Coalition for Ethanol founder and first president Merle Anderson of Climax, MN retains his seat on the Board and was granted the title Chairman Emeritus. 

In addition to this slate of officers plus Chairman Emeritus Anderson, two additional directors were given a seat on the Board’s Executive Committee: Scott Parsley of East River Electric Cooperative and Ron Alverson of Dakota Ethanol, LLC.  Alverson is a farmer from Chester, SD and Chairman of Lake Area Corn Processors, the cooperative behind South Dakota’s first farmer-owned ethanol plant.

“ACE is proud of its history as the grassroots voice for ethanol in America, and we’re confident that with the leadership represented in our slate of officers and on our executive committee, these grassroots voices will serve ethanol well in the future,” said Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE.

The entire ACE Board of Directors roster can be viewed here.

ACE is the nation’s largest ethanol advocacy association, with nearly 1,500 members nationwide, including farmers, ethanol producers, industry suppliers, rural electric co-ops, the agriculture community, and others supportive of ethanol.

A thank you to veterans, and a hope for energy security through homegrown fuels

A sincere thank you from the American Coalition for Ethanol to all veterans -- past, present, and future -- for your service and sacrifice.  Let us remember these heroes this Veterans Day and every day.

Our hope is that through the spirit and ingenuity of America's farmers and entrepreneurs, this nation can stand more self-sufficient in the face of its energy needs.  Clean, renewable, homegrown fuels like ethanol mean a future of greater energy security for all.

Sound science and a fair playing field

The American Coalition for Ethanol recently submitted official comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed rule for the Renewable Fuels Standard.  This "RFS2" has been a point of concern, specifically the EPA's inclusion of the controversial "international land use change" (ILUC) theory in the proposed rule.  It's also concerning that EPA appointed Tim Searchinger, the lawyer who is the very architect of the ILUC theory, a seat on the peer-review panel.  These so-called "indirect effects" are new, untested, unreliable, and controversial computer-generated predictions that are, at this time, being selectively applied only to corn ethanol. 

In our comments, ACE asked that EPA insist on greater scientific consensus and real-world data before moving forward to apply these penalties to biofuels in the final rule.  And if EPA insists on applying indirect effects, these effects should be applied to all fuels – not just ethanol.  This includes undertaking a complete lifecycle assessment of the indirect emissions association with petroleum.  Sound science and fair playing field is all we’re asking. 

ACE, RFA, Corn Growers announce national blender pump campaign

Today the American Coalition for Ethanol, the Renewable Fuels Association, and leading corn-producing states announced an innovative, unprecedented "Blend Your Own Ethanol" campaign uniting the resources and expertise of the groups in an effort to seed 5,000 blender pumps nationwide in three years.

 

In a press conference this afternoon, Ron Lamberty (ACE Vice President / Market Development), Robert White (RFA Market Development Director), and Darrin Ihnen (National Corn Growers Association First Vice President and farmer from Hurley, South Dakota) spoke on the importance of educating America’s petroleum marketers on the opportunities of retailing ethanol through blender pumps.

 

Lamberty emphasized that the “BYOethanol” campaign will provide petroleum marketers with the facts on how blender pumps are an excellent business strategy – station owners can be ready for future fuel blends while giving their customers more choices at the pump today.  White explained how the campaign will use an expanded Web presence and interactive features, a new and informative magazine, educational opportunities at petroleum marketer events, and more.

 

According to Ihnen, growing blender pump infrastructure benefits motorists, petroleum marketers, and corn growers as growing efficiencies in corn production provide for greater opportunities to supply a growing network of ethanol producers and consumers.  Ihnen said that the "corn growers are proud to be part of this campaign" that unites the "true expertise of ACE and RFA."

 

Read the full press release here: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/BYOethanol_final_press_release_8112009.pdf

Gearing up for ACE's 22nd annual ethanol conference

We look forward to seeing many ethanol supporters this week in Milwaukee for the American Coalition for Ethanol's 22nd Annual Ethanol Conference & Trade Show.  Online registration has closed, but if you'd still like to attend, you may register on site beginning Tuesday at the Midwest Airlines Center.  The agenda for the conference can be seen at this link.

There are several ways to follow the conference proceedings online.  Check out these sites:

• Follow ACE on Twitter at "blend_ethanol" -- www.twitter.com/blend_ethanol
• Check out ACE's YouTube channel -- www.youtube.com/ACEethanol
• Discussions on conference topics in the Ethanol Collective social network -- www.ethanolcollective.com

Continue to check back here as well as we blog live from this week's event.

ACE announces final agenda for ethanol conference Aug. 11-13 in Milwaukee

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), the nation’s largest ethanol advocacy association, is announcing the final agenda for its 22nd Annual Ethanol Conference & Trade Show, set for August 11-13 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Online registration will remain open on www.ethanol.org through Wednesday, August 5.  Registration will also be available on-site at the convention center.  Rooms are still available in the ACE Conference blocks at the Hilton City Center and Doubletree Hotel; visit this link for more information.

The three-day event begins on Tuesday morning, August 11 with the Jeff Fox Memorial Golf Tournament at Milwaukee’s Brown Deer Golf Club.  The ACE Trade Show opens Tuesday evening with a Welcome Reception from 5:00 – 7:30pm.  The conference sessions begin Wednesday morning with breakout sessions on key topics, then the general session on Wednesday afternoon with a keynote address by Dallas Tonsager, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development.  The conference begins again on Thursday morning with a general session and concludes around noon.

The complete conference agenda can be viewed here: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/Final_agenda_for_ACE_conference_73109.pdf

U.S. House agreement on climate bill: no international land use charges to biofuels until independent study

U.S. House of Representatives leaders have brokered a deal ensuring that biofuels will not be charged with international indirect land use change emissions until there is widespread scientific agreement.  This new agreement ensures that science, not politics, will determine whether EPA can go forward with the highly controversial theory.

While both U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board have tried to impose such penalties on biofuels, ACE has consistently pointed out that these agencies have failed to demonstrate a link between biofuels production and tropical deforestation.  Singling out biofuels for selective enforcement of these "indirect effects" while holding petroleum harmless is scientifically indefensible and bad public policy.

ACE's press statement can be read here.  Executive VP Brian Jennings was interviewed on the national radio program AgriTalk; the program can be downloaded here and then advance to Brian's interview which begins at 11:00 and ends at 15:30.