Nearly 70 local business and community leaders around Marshall, Missouri learned more about the state’s corn industry during a Lunch and Learn program last week sponsored by most of the ag groups in the Show-Me state.
Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) board member Billy Thiel hosted the educational luncheon to highlight agriculture’s important contribution to communities.
“Missouri’s farmers are working hard to produce feed, fuel and food for the world,” said Thiel. “Not only are producers meeting today’s global demands, but many don’t realize agriculture is helping sustain our local economies. Farmers and the agribusiness industry are putting dollars back into local businesses and contributing tax revenue to our schools, roads and communities.”
Following the informational luncheon, attendees were invited to tour Mid-Missouri Energy, a farmer-owned ethanol plant located three miles from Thiel Farms. While visiting the local biorefinery, participants were able to see firsthand the process that converts corn to ethanol and distillers grains. This additional market adds value to Missouri’s corn crop and generates a quality feedstock for livestock producers.
“Every 56-pound bushel of corn used in the ethanol process yields 18 pounds of distillers grains, a good source of energy and protein for livestock and poultry,” said Thiel. “Missouri’s farmer-owned ethanol plants depend on a strong livestock industry to utilize ethanol’s valuable co-product. Cattle, hogs and corn are intrinsically linked and programs like today’s Lunch and Learn work to convey that message.”
The Thiel luncheon was one of eight events scheduled this summer that take place on various agricultural operations around Missouri.
A coalition of groups sent letters to the Senate Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees last week advocating “scientific integrity in federal ethanol policy.” Seems they don’t like the five year delay in implementation of the land-use analysis for biofuels that was adopted in the House-passed climate bill. The groups include the same folks who have been attacking corn ethanol for the past several years, including the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Snack Food Manufacturers, etc.
According to a press release, “the letters to Senate committee leadership urged them to oppose legislation that would prohibit the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from market-induced deforestation in the lifecycle account for biofuels. Similar attempts were successful in the House’s recently passed climate bill. Biofuels that cause these types of greenhouse gas emissions are also the same biofuels that contribute to increased food prices around the world.”
The release also includes a couple of choice quotes from the various groups: “It makes little sense to increase the already lavish federal support for corn ethanol, a fuel that has failed in its promise to help the environment and make America energy independent.”
“As we learn more about the impacts of biofuels, it has become clear that today’s biofuels take us backwards in terms of global warming, while increasing global hunger.”
“Sound, verifiable science should always guide the crafting and implementation of environmental and energy policy.”
Problem here is that they are making claims that are NOT backed by science and urging Congress to rush into using unproven methodology to measure environmental effects.
The usual suspects are guilty once again of spreading misinformation and continuing attacks on ethanol for their own self interest.
If you are looking for yet another reason why U.S. consumers should demand more aggressive action on the development of domestic fuels like ethanol it came out today with energy news from Texas.
Once a huge contributor to the nation’s energy needs, its contributions are in decline. In fact, the drilling rig count in Texas is down to 329 from 958 in August 2008, and employment dropped from 240,000 to 206,200.
Need more evidence? Oil production in Mexico has declined 12.8% in just one year, led by decline in heavy crude of 24,000b/d from April 182,000b/d from May 2008.
China’s oil demand up for 3rd month in June as latest data adds evidence that growth is resuming in the world’s second-biggest oil consumer. Chinese steel producers, which are energy intensive, are now operating at full capacity too so China may be on the verge of setting off another run-up in world oil prices.
Did anyone not see this coming? If we were playing Jeopardy the answer would be: “What are death, taxes, and higher gasoline prices?” Question: What are three things you can’t avoid? Unless of course we embrace alternative solutions like renewable ethanol.
Like a good magician practicing sleight of hand Big Oil and other ethanol critics like the Grocery Manufacturers Association wave one hand around with a flourish to get our attention, while the other lifts our wallet. Thus the steady drumbeat of ethanol costs more, even though in a normal economy it costs less than gas; ethanol is energy deficient, even though redundant studies have proven a 60% net energy gain; ethanol raises food prices, even though there is little direct correlation and evidence to the contrary. I think you get the idea.
So it is high time for ethanol supporters to stop being defensive and using up all of our valuable energy putting out fires and defending the critic of the moment. Perhaps we should start reminding the public of the reasons we turned to ethanol to begin with: it burns far cleaner than gasoline, it works in today’s cars, it creates U.S. jobs and generates real economic activity, it isn’t imported from unfriendly nations, and of course it comes from corn which is abundant and yields are growing rapidly.
Unlike petroleum which is finite, ethanol has a future. With corn growers producing five times more corn today than they did in the 1930’s – and this before we had mapped the corn genome – so we are just beginning to unwrap the potential of maize. And the beauty of ethanol is many kinds of plant material will make continued production expansion possible in the years ahead.
So, let’s start our own drumbeat which demands higher mileage vehicles, one that demands all vehicles be flex fuel capable, one that calls for higher ethanol blends and rewards further development of alternative fuel engine technology, and one that exposes the real costs of our continued reliance on imported petroleum for 60% of our oil needs.
Let’s all raise our voices and ask for a thorough accounting of all costs related to finding, developing, refining, transporting and defending our access to petroleum. Let’s add on environmental costs and the big one that nobody wants to talk about…health costs. Medical costs related to poor air quality boggle the mind, just ask your local Lung Association.
Here is an example of a hidden cost to get your thought process going. Just this year alone, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will spend $200 million to clean-up leaky underground storage tanks for petroleum. This program has been going on since 1985 and there are approximately 617,000 underground storage tanks (USTs) nationwide that store petroleum or hazardous substances.
With a little transparency from the Big Oil guys and some thorough detective work by the Congressional Research Service, I think we would rapidly see what a bargain ethanol is today.
When it comes to energy our future will look very different because it must. Our power for all of our needs from homes to vehicles will likely come from multiple sources with a common thread of cleaner, greener, more efficient and renewable where possible.
This transition away from petroleum will be gradual and evolutionary once again because it must proceed this way unless we want to drop kick an economy that is already bruised and dazed. I think any reasonable person understands our post petroleum days will open the door to opportunity for everything from solar and electric to clean coal and nuclear, to biomass and wind.
So it is more than a little curious that Bill Reinert, Toyota Motor Sales manager of the Advanced Technology Group, recently trashed most of the alternative solutions under development as wanton wishful thinking.
According to him, lithium-ion batteries are too expensive and not energy dense enough. And he also said “using ethanol fuel is like electing the dumbest kid in school as class president.”
Some of the most marvelous inventions in the history of man came from progressive, if not wishful, thinking that took time to evolve and reach and level of development that made the idea a real substantive contributor to society’s wants or needs.
Because a potential solution does not immediately emerge as a full-fledged contender that doesn’t check all the boxes doesn’t mean we should walk away. All ideas and technology improve with time, innovation, and dedication to reaching a clear goal. History clearly proves this theory.
Electric vehicles that used to be lucky to have enough power to go around the block now provide a relatively descent commuter type vehicle. Battery costs are dropping and energy efficiency is up 25%. And that dumb class president will probably look like a genius in another decade when ethanol production efficiency is twice as good. Ethanol already provides a 60% net energy gain and the amount of ethanol we are squeezing out of a single bushel of corn has grown about a third since it emerged in the late 1970’s.
Let’s keep moving forward, keeping our eye on the ball and make the incremental changes that have always gotten human kind to the next mile marker. Toyota can just keep driving in a circle while the rest of us move on.
Barrel Blaster let’s you “clean up the fossil fuel infestation” and save the city of Greentown from the “black barrel blitz.” Your weapons are “clean burning ethanol zappers” since “only renewable American ethanol can eliminate the oil.”
There are three “ethanol zappers” to choose from – motor scooter, a VW bug, and a Hummer, and you gain bonus to for health or fuel by catching flowers and butterflies.
It’s fun, it’s free and it’s your mission, should you choose to accept it. What do you have to lose? Go to BarrelBlaster.net today and save Greentown!
Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin has scheduled a hearing for later this month on “The Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation” that is expected to discuss greater safeguards for farming and biofuels in the Senate version of a climate change bill.
During an interview with Energy & Environment News this week, Harkin said he wants to force EPA to “get over their absolute rejection of ethanol” and would like the Senate version of the climate change bill to increase the blend rate of ethanol to 15 percent.
Harkin also says he wants to make sure the Senate bill includes all the provisions House Ag Chairman Collin Peterson secured for agriculture in the House bill and more, such as more open offsets for sequestration and the ability to use land enrolled in conservation programs for carbon offsets.
They do have a little bit more time to work on the legislation now. Senate leadership decided this week to delay the deadline for committees to finish work on the climate bill until September 28.
The Senate Ag Committee hearing is scheduled for July 22 at 2:30 pm. No witness list has been released yet.
As Americans celebrate Independence Day this weekend, it is a good time to reflect on our need to increase our energy independence.
Jay Hakes, author of “A Declaration of Energy Independence,” says American Energy Independence means energy security, energy abundance and energy self-sufficiency.
Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea, like freedom, one that should be thought of much like we think of our national independence—our liberty, which is both an ideal and a physical reality. Energy Independence can and should be pursued with the same patriotic spirit that fought for, won and sustains American democracy and freedom.
The phrase “Energy Independence” is a slogan embodying an idea that resonates with the character of America—it is a call for return to economic balance and protection from vulnerability created by over-dependence on petroleum to fuel our cars, trucks and airplanes—it is a public outcry voiced by citizens demanding government leadership in energy production, distribution, security and fuel choice.
In a timely commentary for the holiday, National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman says we should ask ourselves this weekend what more we should we be doing to assure our energy independence.
This Independence Day we should be resolute and re-commit ourselves to making the right choices for America. We can pursue a strategic national initiative that will lead us to energy independence — and put America back in control of its destiny. We can start by looking for ethanol fuel at the pump. It is readily available as a 10 percent blend and E85 is becoming more common – as are the flexible-fuel vehicles that can utilize this clean-burning fuel.
So, Rick says, “at the family barbecue or fireworks this weekend, tell your friends and family to do their part by using ethanol. Ask them to encourage their elected officials to continue to support using increased blends of this proven American fuel.”
And may God continue to bless our nation with liberty and justice for all.
The Environmental Protection Agency this week announced a 60 day extension of the comment period on the proposed rule revising the national Renewable Fuel Standard program, commonly referred to as RFS2. The original comment period was to end on July 27, 2009 and will now end on September 25, 2009.
“With the 60-day comment period extension, EPA seeks to provide the public adequate time to provide meaningful comment while finalizing and implementing the standards in a timely manner,” the agency stated in a release.
More information and instructions on submitting comments on the rule, which was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, can be found here on the EPA website.
Meanwhile, the comment deadline is coming up quickly on the waiver to increase the allowable ethanol blend level in gasoline to 15 percent. The National Corn Growers Association is calling farmers and ethanol supporters to the National Corn Growers Association is asking farmers and ethanol supporters to send in comments about their own experiences with ethanol.
“Many of us own boats or other vehicles or equipment that use small engines and have experienced great performance with no concerns about ethanol-blended gasoline,” said NCGA president Bob Dickey of Nebraska. “Especially on a modern farm, there are so many different types of engines that require gasoline — and gasoline mixed with corn-based ethanol means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, more American jobs and more energy independence.”
President Obama announced his National Rural Tour yesterday during an interview with National Association of Farm Broadcasting past president Michelle Rook with WNAX Radio in Yankton, SD. “Over the next few weeks and months, top officials from my administration will fan out across the country to hold a series of discussions on how we can strengthen rural America,” Obama said.
Vice President Joe Biden, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genakowski kicked off the “rural road trip” today in Pennsylvania, announcing $4 billion in loans and grants to bring broadband internet service to rural communities. Other stops are planned in Alaska, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.
During her interview, Michelle asked the president about renewable fuels. “Obviously, I come from a farm state – Illinois – and ethanol has been a big boon for a lot of rural communities,” he said. “But we also are recognizing the key for us is to move into the next generation of biofuels, how can we use wood chips and refuse and switchgrass and how can we improve the efficiency of first generation biofuels. Farmers are going to be critical to that entire process.”
Michelle also asked President Obama about a number of other issues, including the climate change bill, whether farmers should be concerned about increasing regulations, and how the government might be able to help the livestock industry.
Listen to Michelle’s entire interview with the president here:
Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) board member Billy Thiel hosted the educational luncheon to highlight agriculture’s important contribution to communities. 
The usual suspects are at it again.
If you are looking for yet another reason why U.S. consumers should demand more aggressive action on the development of domestic fuels like ethanol it came out today with energy news from Texas.
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Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea, like freedom, one that should be thought of much like we think of our national independence—our liberty, which is both an ideal and a physical reality. Energy Independence can and should be pursued with the same patriotic spirit that fought for, won and sustains American democracy and freedom.
“With the 60-day comment period extension, EPA seeks to provide the public adequate time to provide meaningful comment while finalizing and implementing the standards in a timely manner,” the agency stated 
President Obama announced his 