Gov. Ricketts Highlights Benefits of Biofuels During Renewable Fuels Month

On Thursday, May 19, Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska and the importance of biofuels to Nebraska by kicking off a unique ethanol promotion at Sapp Brothers in Omaha.  The Governor previously designated May as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska by signing a proclamation.

“With renewable fuels, we’re not only adding value to the crops we grow, but also expanding America’s domestic fuel supply while creating quality jobs all across our state,” Governor Ricketts said.  “Renewable fuels have a positive influence on our economic landscape in Nebraska.  By filling up with biofuels, you support Nebraska’s farm families and generate as much as $3 million in tax revenue for our rural communities.”

Nebraska’s economic prosperity is closely tied to agriculture, the state’s number one industry.  Nebraska ranks second national for ethanol production, which consumed 43 percent of the state’s corn crop in 2014 according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Both American Ethanol and soy biodiesel are clean-burning, renewable fuels made from homegrown Nebraska commodities.  These fuels and co-products greatly contribute to Nebraska’s economic vitality and make an impact across the entire country.  More than 1,500 people in rural Nebraska and more than 850,000 people nationwide are employed in the renewable fuels industry, according to a 2014 economic impact study released by Fuels America.

In addition to financial benefits, biodiesel and American Ethanol also provide many environmental and consumer benefits.  According to the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, some 70 percent of harmful air pollution is attributable to mobile sources such as passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and construction equipment.  Biodiesel reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent.  Similarly, American Ethanol is a non-toxic, clean-burning fuel that dramatically reduces the level of toxics added to gasoline, including proven and suspected carcinogens such as benzene, toluene, and xylene.

"When it comes to air quality, renewable biofuels such as American Ethanol and biodiesel burn cleaner and help make our air healthier,” Governor Ricketts noted.  “Renewable Fuels Month is a great way to bring awareness to the wide range of benefits biofuels provide.  Nebraska-produced biofuels are cost-effective, American-made, renewable, and better for our environment.”

In recognition of Renewable Fuels Month, Nebraska’s corn and soybean farmers announced they would give drivers in the Omaha metro cause to celebrate.  Renewable biofuels were offered at a steep discount from 4-7 p.m. at Sapp Bros. located at I-80 Exit 440 in Nebraska.

More photos of Renewable Fuels Month celebrations can be found here.

May Proclaimed as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska

Biofuels Improve Economic Activity, Environment and Human Health Across the State

Ethanol and soy biodiesel have become major markets for Nebraska corn and soybeans—and are providing significant economic, environmental and consumer benefits. In recognition of the importance of renewable biofuels to the state, Governor Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May as Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska. 

Nebraska is the nation’s second largest ethanol producer, home to 25 ethanol plants with the capacity of more than two billion gallons of production. These plants, which employ more than 1,300 people, process more than 700 million bushels of corn a year into clean-burning ethanol as well as distillers grains, a high protein feed ingredient for livestock. Some Nebraska ethanol plants also produce carbon dioxide for bottling and food processing as well as corn oil for human food consumption.

Biodiesel production, which uses soybeans as a primary feedstock, is on the rise in Nebraska. A biodiesel plant in Beatrice is expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 with the capacity to produce 50 million gallons, requiring more than 33 million bushels of soybeans.

“Renewable biofuels have absolutely transformed the economic landscape in Nebraska,” said Ron Pavelka, a farmer from Glenvil and chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “The additional demand for Nebraska commodities created by renewable fuels production has created a new market for farmers, generated significant investment and tax revenue in rural communities, and created good paying jobs in areas of the state that really need them.” 

“The growth of renewable biofuels has helped reduce our nation’s dependence on imported petroleum, reduced prices at the pump and provided greater choice for consumers,” said David Merrell, a farmer from St. Edward and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “But perhaps the most important benefit of these fuels is their dramatically positive impact on the environment and on human health.”

For example, biodiesel reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent and reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 86 percent compared to its petroleum based counterpart. The 2.1 billion gallons of biodiesel used in 2015 reduced the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by 18.2 million metric tons, the equivalent of removing 3.8 million cars from the road or planting 466 million trees.

Ethanol is a non-toxic, clean-burning fuel that dramatically reduces the level of toxics added to gasoline to increase octane, including proven and suspected carcinogens such as benzene, toluene and xylene. “Since these toxics do not completely combust in the engine, they enter the atmosphere through exhaust emissions and are directly connected to cancer, heart disease and asthma in humans,” Merrell added. “The more ethanol we add to gasoline, the lower the levels of these harmful toxics in the air we breathe.”


According to the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, some 70 percent of harmful air pollution is attributable to mobile sources such as passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and construction equipment. “When consumers choose renewable biofuels at the pump, they are not only saving money and supporting a homegrown fuel, they are also making the choice for a better environment and cleaner, healthier air for their families,” Pavelka said.

Renewable, Homegrown Fuels Provide Energy Independence

September is Renewable Fuels Month!
Part Four of a Four-Part Series for Renewable Fuels Month

Biodiesel and American Ethanol, two energy sources made from Nebraska soybeans and corn, that are homegrown, locally produced and contribute to our energy independence and security. To wrap-up Renewable Fuels Month this September, Nebraska farmers can celebrate these homegrown renewable fuels and the economic benefits they provide.

Last year, Nebraska farmers raised nearly 289 million bushels of soybeans and 1.6 billion bushels of corn – numbers they expect to grow in coming years. From these two crops, renewable fuel sources and distillers grains co-products are created right here in Nebraska.

These homegrown, renewable fuels and co-products greatly contribute to the economic vitality in Nebraska and across the United States. More than 1,500 people in rural Nebraska and more than 850,000 people nationwide are employed in the renewable fuels industry, according to a 2014 economic impact study released by the Fuels America coalition.

The economic report tells the story of an innovative, advanced biofuels industry that is benefiting America’s economy. Part of the effort contributing towards an expanded biofuels industry is attributed to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The data is in: The RFS is driving billions of dollars of economic activity across America,” the report concludes. “This is the result of years of investment by the biofuel sector to bring clean, low carbon, renewable fuels to market.”

“There are some rural communities in Nebraska that probably wouldn’t have the opportunities they do today if it wasn’t for renewable fuels,” said David Merrell, farmer from St. Edward, Nebraska and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Renewable fuels support the local farmer and provide as much as $3 million in tax revenue for the state of Nebraska.”

The RFS program was expanded in 2007 to include biodiesel, increasing the amount of fuel required to be blended into transportation fuel to 36 billion gallons by 2022, created new categories of renewable fuels including advanced, cellulosic, and conventional.  The program also evaluated the lifecycle of greenhouse gases to ensure each category was meeting a minimum threshold.

With the help of the RFS, renewable fuels now represent more than 10% of America’s fuel supply and have helped reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil to the lowest level in years.

“Each year we continue to produce more renewable fuels in the United States. In 2014, we reduced our imported crude oil by 512 million barrels and 1.75 billion gallons of imported petroleum diesel—that’s a clear sign the RFS is doing exactly what it was intended to do,” added Merrell.


The RFS is reducing our dependency on imported oil, providing a homegrown, locally-produced renewable fuel, creating jobs, providing tax revenue, and more.  Renewable fuels are a win-win situation for the farmers, rural communities and consumers.

Ethanol Creates Economic Vitality in Nebraska

Ethanol production has been a boon to Nebraska'a economic vitality, according to a recent economic impact study conducted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln economists. The study, entitled "Economic Impacts of the Ethanol Industry in Nebraska", was published in mid-April. The study examined the economic impact of Nebraska's ethanol industry from 2009 through 2014. During that five-year period, Nebraska's ethanol industry generated products valued between $4 billion and $6.6 billion annually. This value includes not only ethanol but also distillers grains, a livestock feed that is produced at ethanol plants.

"Nebraska has a unique advantage known as the 'Golden Triangle'", said Tim Scheer, a St. Paul, Nebraska, farmer and a member of the Nebraska Corn Board. "The combination of corn, livestock and ethanol production provides significant opportunity to add value at every step along the production chain--and that creates jobs, revenue and economic vitality from border to border in the state." Additionally, Nebraska is rivaling Texas as the top cattle-on-feed state due in large part to Nebraska's readily available supply of corn and distillers grains. Nebraska is in the enviable position of being the westernmost major producer of ethanol. Nebraska is one of the nation's leading bioenergy exporters with 96 percent of its ethanol production leaving the state and is well positioned to serve the fuel demands of the United States. Additionally, 58 percent of the distillers grains is shipped out of the state, primarily to dairies in California and beef producers in Texas.

International demand for ethanol and its co-products also bodes well for Nebraska's economic future. "Canada imports 40 percent of the U.S. ethanol exports and China imports 39 percent of the U.S. distillers grains," said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board Administrator. "There is a strong demand throughout the world for ethanol and its co-products, so we continue to look for ways to expand the Nebraska market as well as international markets in an effort to bring more economic prosperity to Nebraska."

While the recent study focused on the past five years, it is interesting to note that Nebraska's ethanol production started in 1985 at 9 million gallons per year. By 1995, the industry was at 200 million gallons. A little over ten years later, that number had grown to 858 million gallons--and grew to over 2 billion gallons by 2011. "The ethanol industry has been a huge economic driver for the entire state," Scheer added. "In just 30 years, ethanol production has changed the landscape in Nebraska and is poised to help our state become a national leader in the production of bioenergy and livestock feed."

Renewable Fuels Offer Consumers Choices at the Pump

September is Renewable Fuels Month!
Part One of a Four-Part Series for Renewable Fuels Month

Nebraskans have the choice of what type of fuel they put in their vehicle when they fill up. These options are available thanks to renewable biofuels such as American Ethanol or biodiesel. In September, Nebraskans can celebrate these choices with the recent proclamation of “September is Renewable Fuels Month” by Gov. Pete Ricketts (see photo on the right).

Biofuels come in many different blends and can be found all over the country. Most vehicles can fill up with E10, vehicles newer than 2001 can use E15, while flex fuel vehicle (FFV) owners can fill up with flex fuel blends from E20 up to E85. Biodiesel blends can usually be found at levels of B5, B10 or B20. Blend rates are identified by the number following the letter, so B20 is comprised of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel fuel, whereas E85 is 85 percent American Ethanol and 15 percent regular unleaded gasoline.

Finding the fuel choice for your vehicle is simple. “The main thing to know is if you have a flex fuel vehicle (FFV) or not. If you do have an FFV, you can fill up with any blend of American Ethanol up to E85. If you don’t have an FFV and it’s newer than 2001, you can fill up with any American Ethanol blend up to E15,” said Tim Scheer, farmer from St. Paul, Nebraska and past chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board.

When consumers make the choice to put these renewable fuels in their fuel tank, they are choosing their energy future. A future with renewable fuels is less reliant on the oil industry and its negative impacts on our environment. By using renewable fuels, they will also diversify their fuel sources to positively impact America’s economic and national security, which ensures a healthier future for the environment.

“Renewable biofuels offer consumers a wealth of benefits when they fuel up at the pump,” added Scheer. “While there are a lot of options to choose from, the decision to use these renewable blends is an easy one. It is cost-effective, American-made, renewable and better for our environment and consumer health.”

While biofuels are better for the environment, many motorists are also pleased to know it is better for their engines. Evidence shows that ethanol keeps engines clean by preventing build-up in the fuel injection system and reducing tailpipe emissions. Additionally, since it is water-soluble and has a low freezing point, it helps prevent a vehicle’s gas line from freezing up in cold weather. 

Biodiesel also offers many benefits, such as added engine lubricity and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Another benefit is that you do not need to modify your engine to run biodiesel, and when using biodiesel motorists won’t be sacrificing fuel economy or performance. Whether you drive a car, truck, semi, or farm equipment, biodiesel is made to work in any diesel engine.

“With today’s innovative engine advancements, biodiesel now has a place for every diesel engine. It has been proven the fuel provides similar fuel economy, horsepower, and torque as regular fuel,” states Ron Pavelka, farmer from Glenvil, Nebraska and chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “Whether it be in town, on the interstate, or steering down the rows of a field, renewable fuels are home-grown and here to stay.”

It's renewable fuels awareness month in Nebraska

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman declares
September Renewable Fuels Awareness month
at Husker Harvest Days today.

"Renewable fuels are a contributor to the Nebraska economy. The production of these fuels provides marketing options for our crop farmers, creates key feedstuffs for our livestock producers and helps create a more sustainable rural economy by providing jobs and contributing to local and state revenue," said Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman at Husker Harvest Days today.

Heinemen spoke in front of the ag commodities building as part of a Renewable Fuels Awareness month proclamation.

The proclamation was coordinated by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board. It recognizes the contributions of Nebraska farmers and agribusinesses to the nation’s renewable fuel supply.
"Renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel help diversify our nation’s energy portfolio. We are fortunate to have such a strong biofuels industry right here in Nebraska, with thousands of Nebraskans helping fuel America," Heineman said.

Greg Greving, Gov. Heineman and Tim Scheer
at the Renewable Fuels Awareness month proclamation.

One of the co-products from ethanol production is distillers grains, which is an important feed ingredient for Nebraska's beef, swine, poultry and dairy sectors. "Only the starch portion of the kernel is used to make ethanol. The protein, fiber, and fat portions still remain for the livestock," said Tim Scheer, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board

Greg Greving, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board, said as Nebraska farmers head out to harvest this year’s crops, more than half will be fueling their equipment with a soy biodiesel blend because of the many benefits it has for engines and because soy biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced in America.

Renewable Fuels Month proclamation video featuring Gov. Heineman, Kenny Wallace

Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska was proclaimed by Governor Dave Heineman at Husker Harvest Days last week. He addressed the crowd and media, as did NASCAR Nationwide driver Kenny Wallace.

The proclamation was coordinated through the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board, who said they hosted the event to recognize the contributions of Nebraska farmers and agribusinesses to the nation’s renewable fuel supply.

For more on the proclamation, check out this post.

Otherwise, enjoy the videos below.

Video: Presentations at Renewable Fuels Month proclamation

Videos from last week's Renewable Fuels Awareness Month proclamation by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman are now on YouTube.

They include comments made by each of the individuals who spoke at the proclamation event at Husker Harvest Days. The Governor's video includes his answer to a question about the ethanol industry.

All good stuff!

You can check out the videos at our YouTube channel, NebraskaCornKernels, or below.

The first video features Alan Tiemann, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. Tiemann is a farmer from Seward.



The second video features Gregg Fujan, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. Fujan is a farmer from Weston.



The final video features Governor Heineman, including his answer to a reporter's question about ethanol.

September proclaimed Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska

At Husker Harvest Days today, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman (center in the photo) signed a declaration proclaiming September as Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board hosted the event at HHD to recognize the contributions of Nebraska farmers and agribusinesses to the nation’s biofuel industry.

“The renewable fuels sector has been a tremendous asset in furthering economic development, particularly in our rural communities,” Heineman said. “This industry has added strength to our agriculture industry, created job and education opportunities for our residents, and brought new investment to our rural areas. Nebraska’s role as a major producer of biofuels is also helping American drivers reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

In a Q/A afterward, Heineman was asked about the corn ethanol industry and some of the bumps in the road that sector has seen in the past year.

"Corn based ethanol is going to be the future of ethanol for a long period of time," Heineman answered. He added that we need to remember the $4 gasoline of last year and the importance of reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

In a news release, The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board noted that the proclamation is a reminder of the importance Nebraska plays in the renewable fuels sector, both as a production center and broad adopter of renewable fuels.

“Nebraska is the second-largest ethanol producing state in the country, which means we’re helping fuel the country with a renewable, clean burning fuel. At the same time, those ethanol facilities are producing a high-quality feed for our livestock industry, further adding to the benefits of corn ethanol production," said Seward farmer Alan Tiemann, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board (left in the photo).

Tiemann added that ethanol production across the country is at an all time high and headed toward 10.5 billion gallons by year-end.

Weston farmer Gregg Fujan, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board (right in the photo), noted that as farmers head out to harvest bumper crops this year, many will be fueling their equipment with soy biodiesel and vehicles with ethanol – so it makes sense for corn and soybean farmers to work together for Renewable Fuels Awareness Month.

“The soybean checkoff has invested more than $60 million into the research, development and promotion of soy biodiesel fuel over the past 12 years. This commitment has created one of the fastest growing alternative fuels in the country today and has created opportunities for a new industry right here in Nebraska,” Fujan said. “Because biodiesel is only made from the oil portion of the bean, soy biodiesel production and use continues the reliable and consistent supply of soybean meal that livestock producers depend on.”

A good crowd turned out to hear Governor Heineman talk about the importance of ethanol and soy biodiesel to Nebraska. (Click photo for a larger image.)

Tyson's doubletalk on biofuels

Tyson Foods, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, broke ground this week on a biofuels plant in Louisiana with it’s partner Syntroleum Corp. and $100 million in Gulf Opportunity Zone Bonds.

With much fanfare - and gold shovels and shined wingtips - the companies talked big about the "well-compensated, highly-skilled jobs and a multi-million dollar payroll" the plant will create and the cleaner fuel it will produce that's an alternative to oil. These are all good things and worth a cheer.

Then they turned the soil and turned a page in the doubletalk playbook when they declared that the plant will make diesel and jet fuels from animal fats and greases.

The companies said they are different than the ethanol industry, "which use food ingredients such as corn" to produce fuel. (Somebody should explain to the suits at Tyson that that people don’t eat field corn.) Instead, they’ll use “non-food grade animal fats” such as beef tallow, pork lard, chicken fat and greases - all of which will be produced or procured by Tyson.

Don’t be fooled by the doubletalk. Just where have all those "non-food" fats gone over the years? Right into livestock and poultry feed. By creating a new market for traditionally cheap fat and grease, those prices will go up - and that’s good for Tyson.

So Tyson - who takes the opportunity to blast corn ethanol whenever it can - is talking out of both sides of its mouth. Biofuels are bad when they come from (non-food grade) corn - but good when they come from (non-food grade) fat and grease.

In other words, biofuels are great, as long as they are padding Tyson's already big pockets.

It's Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska

While attending Husker Harvest Days today, Governor Dave Heineman came by the Ag Commodities building to sign a proclamation, declaring that September is Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska.

Standing with Heineman in this photo is Nebraska Soybean Board chairman Gregg Fujan (left) and Nebraska Corn Board chairman Jon Holzfaster (right).

The proclamation is a reminder that corn ethanol and soy biodiesel help reduce this country’s dependence on foreign oil, are better for the environment, are produced locally and are an economic development success story – the biofuels industry has brought billions of dollars in new investments and hundreds of jobs to mostly rural communities.

Two new soy biodiesel facilities in the state combine with the 22 operating ethanol plants to make Nebraska a big player in the renewable fuels industry.

“Nebraska is the second-largest ethanol producing state in the country, and our soy biodiesel industry is growing,” Holzfaster said. “We’re leading the charge to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and growing a diversified fuel supply.”

For more details, check out this release.

Soybean Association explores food costs

The American Soybean Association has put together a nice informational resource for those looking for more information on what is behind higher food prices.

ASA said it is important for people o understand the global facors behind the present situation and that, all things considered, the demand for biofuels has played a relatively small role in rising food prices.

Instead, the group notes:

Higher energy prices have greatly added to the costs of transporting, processing, manufacturing, storing and distributing the food we eat. Higher energy prices also have dramatically increased the prices U.S. farmers are paying for the inputs they need to plant, grow and harvest their crops. Compared to just two years ago, farmers today are paying twice as much for the diesel fuel they need to run their tractors, combines and grain trucks. Fertilizer, which requires a great deal of energy to produce, has quadrupled in price.

They also note that biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel are making a contribution to the world’s fuel supply, which is holding gasoline and diesel prices lower at the pump for consumers.

Click here to review the report.

Biodiesel Board: Don’t Buy What Grocers Trying to Feed You

In an article for the August edition of Biodiesel Magazine, the National Biodiesel Board's Joe Jobe said the recent attacks from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) blaming biofuels for rising food costs are "deceptive and just plain wrong." He said GMA’s attacks are not based on sound science, sound economics or common sense.

"Rather, they are based on the GMA’s desire to find an easy target for which to defend its profits," Jobe said. You can find the article here.

Jobe said NBB is "committed to fighting the political and corporate interests that are more concerned with protecting their own profits over the health, security and pocketbooks of American families."

He concludes his commentary with this: In the end, we are confident that Americans won’t be buying what the GMA is selling for one simple reason: its wrong.