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12-26-07--Array of ethanol blends possible under pilot project
TOPEKA -- Flexible fuel vehicle owners could get more choices at the pump under a pilot project launched by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

“Fueling stations currently sell gasoline blended with either 10 percent or 85 percent ethanol,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky. “This pilot project will allow them to install pumps that dispense ethanol fuel blends not currently offered, like 20 or 30 percent ethanol, to allow consumers to decide for themselves which blend is best for them based on price and performance.”

All vehicles on the road today can use gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol, or E10. Flexible fuel vehicles, however, can use higher blends with up to 85 percent ethanol. The blender pumps authorized under the pilot project will allow flexible fuel vehicle owners to purchase such blends as E20, E30, E50 or E85.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation is now testing how regular fuel vehicles perform on higher ethanol blends. Initial research shows that E15 and E20 blends deliver the same environmental benefits without any adverse effect on vehicle engines,” Polansky said. “It’s very possible the Department of Transportation may one day endorse using these higher ethanol blends in non-flexible fuel vehicles.”

In the meantime, to ensure unwitting consumers don’t accidentally pump a higher ethanol blend into their vehicle than it can manage, the pumps will feature a bright orange label with the message “For use in flexible fuel vehicles only.”

The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s weights and measures program regulates gas pumps for accuracy and verifies the fuel’s characteristics, including octane rating and whether the fuel contains impurities. Program staff will ensure that equipment used to dispense the ethanol blended fuel is suitable and properly installed, and that fuel quantity and quality standards are met.
 

12-20-07--Energy Bill Ensures Strong Biofuels Future for Kansas
Kansas corn and grain sorghum growers cheered the signing of H.R. 6, the energy bill this week. The bill includes a 36 billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022. 15 billion gallons of that RFS will be grain based ethanol, creating a strong foundation for ethanol production in Kansas. The remainder of the RFS will be met by other biofuels including cellulosic ethanol.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA) both supported passage of the bill. The Kansas ethanol industry currently provides a market for 117 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. The state’s corn and sorghum growers produced 710 million bushels of grain this year.

“If you want to see the opportunity for cellulosic ethanol to move forward, you need to maintain a strong grain-based ethanol industry,” according to Jere White, executive director of KCGA and KGSPA. “When the president signed this bill into law, it provided needed stability for the future of ethanol and other biofuels.”

The Energy Bill had strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback both voted in favor of the Energy Bill. On the house side three of our four representatives voted for the Energy Bill. Representatives Jerry Moran, Dennis Moore and Todd Tiahrt all supported the bill. Second District Representative Nancy Boyda voted against the Energy Bill.

“Kansans are fortunate to have a senators and representatives who understand the importance of renewable fuels to the economy of our state,” White said. “The ten ethanol plants in Kansas are having a dramatic impact on rural development in Kansas. This industry is bringing jobs and economic activity to communities across the state and has created a strong and stable market for our grains. At the same time, these plants are producing a clean, renewable refined fuel that adds to our fuel supply and stabilizes prices we pay at the pump.”

The bill also includes provisions that will advance E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel, including a provision that prohibits franchise agreements from restricting the sale of renewable fuels.

Kansas currently has 10 plants in operation that produce 329 million gallons of ethanol, creating a market for about 117 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. Ethanol blended fuels are available across the state of Kansas as E10 for use in all gasoline powered vehicles; and 28 stations now offer E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles. For more information on ethanol and locations of E85 fueling sites, visit www.ksgrains.com.

12-9-07--E85 Fuel Now Available at 28 Kansas Stations
Not too long ago, drivers of flexible fuel vehicles were lucky to find a handful of Kansas fuel stations that carried E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel. Today, motorists can find E85 in 28 stations across Kansas, with more on the way.

The newest stations are located in Arkansas City, Burlington, Oakley, Parsons, Thayer and Topeka.

“Our association staff drives flexible fuel vehicles. Thanks to the increase in the number of E85 stations, we can now drive on E85 fuel no matter where we go in Kansas,” according to Sue Schulte, communications director for the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association.

While E85 fuel has many benefits, most drivers notice the price first.

“There are so many reasons to use E85 fuel. It is domestically produced ethanol, made from corn and grain sorghum. It burns cleaner and is better for the environment. But it is the price that is attracting the most attention right now. At 40 to 60 cents below regular unleaded, E85 fuel is a great deal,” Schulte said.

While there is a drop fuel economy for E85 fuel because ethanol contains a lower energy content, KCGA and KGSPA staff have not found the dramatic decreases in fuel economy that is reported by some sources.

“We’ve been using E85 in flexible fuel vehicles for year, and while we see about a small loss in fuel economy, the price of the fuel will normally more than make up for that difference,” Schulte said. “If you live near an E85 station, it will be worth your time to check your owners manual to see if you have a flexible fuel vehicle.”

E85 is 85 percent ethanol fuel that can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million FFVs on the road today.

For a complete list of E85 stations in Kansas, visit the Kansas Ethanol website at www.ksgrains.com.

11-9-07--November Crop Estimate Shows 45% Increase for Kansas Feed Grains
45 percent. That’s the increase in Kansas Corn production over last year’s crop, according to Kansas Agricultural Statistics monthly crop production estimates. Ag Statistics boosted the 2007 Kansas corn crop estimate to 500.4 million bushels, 45 percent over last year’s harvest of 345 million bushels. The estimate is 7 million bushels over last month’s estimate thanks to an increase in expected yield to 139 bushels per acre.
 
45 percent is also the increase for Kansas grain sorghum this year. Ag statistics increased its estimate by 4 million bushels over last month’s guess. The November estimate is at 210.6 million bushels which is 45 percent more than last year’s harvest of 145 million bushels. The November yield estimate is 81 bushels per acre, compared to 58 bushels per acre in 2006. The yield estimate is also 3 bushels per acre higher than the October estimate.
 
Combined feed grain production for Kansas now stands at 711 million bushels of corn and sorghum, compared to a combined 2006 feed grain harvest of 490 million bushels.

Pratt Ethanol Plant Starts Up
By Gale Rose, Pratt Tribune www.pratttribune.com

Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Steam comes from a dryer during start up procedures at Gateway Ethanol plant. Water is used to test the dryer and prevent it from getting too hot. The first batch of ethanol is being processed and should be ready sometime Wednesday. The $100 million plant is expected to produce 55 million gallons of ethanol.

The first ethanol produced in Pratt County will fill tanks at the Gateway Ethanol plant late today or early Wednesday.

The first shift crews went on duty Thursday night and the plant started grinding corn to fill fermenters Saturday, said Frank Moore, vice president of plant operations.

All the grain at the plant came from approximately a 50-mile radius. The entire process to change grain into ethanol takes 72 hours. The plant crews are busy doing all the precursor work as they take the plant through start up procedures. Once the plant starts producing ethanol, it is a continuous operation working 24 hours a day and seven days a week, Moore said.

"So far we could not ask for it to be progressing any better," Moore said. "It's been, in my opinion, the best managed project I've been associated with in 30 years."

The production of ethanol at the $100 million plant is the culmination of two years of planning and two years of construction. The investors are pleased with the outcome especially with the inflation of construction costs.

"It's remarkable that thing is out there producing given the pressure on the market in the last 18 months," said Dr. Pat Barker, executive chairman of Orion Ethanol that developed the Gateway plant.
Tim Behr, Gateway Ethanol shift manager, watches two monitor display screens during start up procedures at the plant. Behr can monitor each step of the process and control valves from his station. Two operators will be on duty during regular operations.

Lurgi, the primary contractor and the many sub-contractors have had hundreds of workers laboring on the site northeast of Pratt. Employees have taken extensive training to get ready to start operations and start up has gone well.

"Startup to date has been exceptional. It's a tremendous staff of people," Moore said.

"Lurgi and all the sub-contractors have done an excellent job. The training has paid off during start up."

The investors are pleased with the positive financial impact the plant has had on the community. They are impressed with everyone involved in the project.

"We are just delighted and grateful for the participation of each person who worked on that plant," Barker said.

When the plant is up to full operation, two operators will monitor the entire operation on four computer screens in the control room. During the start up phase, several staff is in the room watching the start up process and helping work out any bugs.

From his station, Tim Behr, shift manager, can easily check any part of the process from computer screens.

"It sure makes things a lot easier," Behr said. "Things are going well in each phase of the operation."

The plant is currently running at 50 percent capacity and that occasionally sets off alarms. The alarms are expected during start up because of the low capacity and are not a problem, Behr said.

The first shipment of ethanol is expected to leave the plant by rail at the end of the week or the start of next week. All Gateway ethanol will go to Noble Americas, an ethanol marketer that is part of Noble Group, a world wide business dealing in energy, agriculture, metals, minerals and ores.

Gateway has 40 employees. All but two, the plant manager and operating manager, are from the area. The annual payroll is $1.5 million.

Gateway will use 18 million bushel of grain to produce 55 million gallons of ethanol a year with the possibility to expand to 110 million gallons in the future.

Besides ethanol, the plant also produces distiller's grain as a by-product. The plant will produce 485 tons of distiller's grain, enough to fill 25 semis per-day. The first distiller's grain will be produced by Wednesday. The distiller's grain will be sold to cattle feedlots.

The plant will grind 30,000 bushels of corn and milo per day during startup then increase to 50,000 bushel to 60,000 bushel per day. The plant has room for and is receiving milo and will have room for corn later this week.

A major problem with construction has been the weather. The abnormally high amounts of rain put the plant 65 days behind construction schedule.

Orion Ethanol owns 62 percent of Gateway. Noble Group and Indeck Power own the other 38 percent.

7-17-07--Kansas City E85 Ethanol Promotion Is a Hit

The Kansas Corn Commission teamed up with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council to sponsor a grand opening event at the state’s newest E85 station on July 14. “ On the Go”, located at the junction of I-435 and Woodend Road, sold E85 fuel for $1.85 during the promotion which was held in conjunction with Willie Wilson’s Legend’s baseball game.

On hand to pump E85 fuel were former Detroit Tigers pitcher John Warden and former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ron Robinson. The baseball greats were in Kansas City to participate in the Legends baseball game at the Community America Park, home of the Kansas City T-Bones baseball team.

On display at the grand opening and at the game were EPIC’s Indy Race Car and mobile education unit as well as the Kansas Corn Commission’s new flexible fuel Chevrolet Impala The KCC’s Impala sports a corn wrap to promote ethanol.

EPIC, with help from the Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors and Kennedy and Coe, sponsored the Ethanol Teaml at the Legends exhibition baseball game, a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. Former Dodger star Tommy Davis managed the Ethanol team which featured Joe Carter, Ozzie Smith, Bob Dernier, Jay Johnston and former Houston pitcher J.R. Richard.

During the game, the Kansas Corn Commission’s newly wrapped “corn car” rounded the field as EPIC ethanol t-shirts were tossed to fans in the stands. The new corn car is a Chevrolet Impala with a bright corn wrap promoting corn and ethanol. Photos from the event can be seen on the commission’s web site at www.ksgrains.com.

E85 fuel can now be found in 21 stations across the state of Kansas. E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles, and auto manufacturers are now ramping up production of these vehicles. About 6 million flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today.

Increasing the availability and use of ethanol fuel in Kansas is a goal of the Kansas Corn Commission. Several more E85 stations are set to come on-line in Kansas in the next 6 months. For up-to-date information on E85 and stations that carry it, as well as information on Kansas corn, visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com.

6-20-07--21 Kansas Stations Now Offer 85% Ethanol Fuel

Motorists who drive flexible fuel vehicles now have more opportunities to fill up with E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel. E85 can be purchased at 21 locations throughout the state. E85 is for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any of combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol.

The most recent stations to add E85 fuel are located in Edwardsville, Overbrook, Parsons, Garnett and Topeka.

E85 can be found at the “On the Go” Shell station at the interchange of I-435 and Woodend Road in Edwardsville, just a few miles south of Kansas City’s Kansas Speedway and Legends Mall.

In Topeka, E85 is offered at the CSC #48 Conoco station located at 1531 Wanamaker Road in Topeka is just off I-470 at the Wanamaker Road exit. The station is located next to the WalMart Supercenter.

A second E85 station has opened in Garnett. Bill’s Quick Stop (Conoco) is located at the junction of Highway 169 and Highway 59 on the south side of Garnett.

On Highway 56 in Overbrook, drivers can find E85 Fuel at Overbrook Gas and Convenience (BP), 403 E. 8th, on the east side of town.

In Parsons, drivers can find E85 at the Stockyard Travel Plaza, 2431 N 16th St.. This station is located near the junction of Highway 59 and Highway 400 in Parsons.

“We’ve increased the number of E85 stations in Kansas from 4 to 21 in less than two years,” according to Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Jere White. “Motorists with flexible fuel vehicles can travel around the state and in most cases be able to operate on E85 fuel if they wish.”

Drivers with flexible fuel vehicles are seeking out E85 stations to take advantage of this fuel that is high octane, high performance, and domestically produced. In addition to being a higher performance fuel, E85 is also selling at a significant discount to regular unleaded at the pump.

“We have seen E85 prices from 20 cents to 60 cents below regular unleaded in the past few months,” White said.

E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles that can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles, and auto manufacturers are now ramping up production of these vehicles. About 6 million flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today.

Increasing the availability and use of ethanol fuel in Kansas is a goal of the Kansas Corn Commission. Several more E85 stations are set to come on-line in Kansas in the next 6 months. For up-to-date information on E85 and stations that carry it visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com.

5-5-06--Ethanol to Be Featured at Kansas Corn, Sorghum Exhibit at Great Bend 3i Show
A large outdoor exhibit at the 3i Show will feature ethanol-powered vehicles and information on ethanol. The booth, sponsored by Kansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Commissions and Associations will be located outside the main exhibit building.

“If you have questions about ethanol, you’ll want to visit this booth,” according to Sue Schulte, KCGA/KGSPA Director of Communications. “We’ll be ready to answer your questions about Kansas ethanol, E10 and E85 ethanol blended fuels and flexible fuel vehicles.”

On display will be the Chevrolet Tahoe that GM has provided to the State of Kansas and other states that belong to the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. Kansas Corn Commission will also have an flexible fuel vehicle on display. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and Kansas Department of Agriculture will assist in the exhibit.

The Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and the NEVC are working on an effort to add at least 20 E85 stations in Kansas in 2006.

“Consumer awareness and interest in ethanol and especially E85 fuel continues to grow,” Schulte said. “We’ve been promoting ethanol since the 1970s. Increasing production and use of ethanol in Kansas continues to be a priority for our organizations.”

AgriTalk, the nationally syndicated agriculture talk radio program will broadcast live from the ethanol exhibit on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. On Friday, the Kansas Corn Commission will host an AgriTalk Ethanol Pump Tour stop at the Golden Belt 66 station located at 10th and Main in Great Bend from 9 a.m. to noon. Agritalk will broadcast live from the event. E85, 85 percent ethanol fuel, will be sold for $1.85 from 9 a.m. to noon. In addition to the discounted price, drivers with flexible fuel vehicles will receive prizes and giveaway items when they fill up with E85.

Visit www.kgsrains.com for more information on Kansas corn, sorghum and ethanol.

3-24-06--Corn, Sorghum Growers Applaud Passage of Bill to Lower E85 Fuel Tax
A bill that will lower the fuel tax on E85 ethanol fuel passed the Kansas House and Senate and is on its way to the governor. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association worked for passage of the bill and applauded the legislature’s action. The bill would change the way the state taxes E85, 85% ethanol fuel, by basing the tax on energy content instead of a flat tax rate. The result is a drop in the tax for E85 from 24 cents per gallon to 17 cents per gallon, a seven cent savings for E85 users.

“This bill does to things. It addresses an inequity in the state motor fuels tax, and it will encourage the use of E85 fuel,” according to Jere White, Executive Director of KGSPA and KCGA.”E85 fuel does have a lower energy content than gasoline and a car travels fewer miles on E85 than it does on gas. If a state motor fuel tax is based on a per-gallon fee, the E85 users are are being unfairly penalized because they are paying more taxes per mile.”

E85 fuel is used in flexible fuel vehicles that operate on any combination of gas and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. The use of E85 fuel is expanding in Kansas, and is now available at ten stations in nine cities across the state of Kansas. At least 20 more E85 stations are expected to come on line this year thanks to an effort by the Kansas Corn Commission, United BioEnergy and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

While E85 fuel offers slightly lower mileage than regular unleaded, motorists find the drop in mileage is often offset by a lower price at the pump. The ethanol in E85 is domestically produced, boasts over 100 octane and is a cleaner fuel.

Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year. An eight plant is under construction at Phillipsburg and several others are on the drawing board.

The climate for expanding ethanol fuel use in Kansas has improved over the last few years.

--The state offers a 40 percent tax credit to fuel retailers to offset infrastructure costs of adding E85 fuel. Retailers can couple the state credit with a 30 percent federal tax credit to offset up to 70 percent of their E85 infrastructure costs.

--The state offers a $750 tax credit for taxpayers who purchase a flexible fuel vehicle and use at least 500 gallons of ethanol.

--In 2005, the Kansas Legislature approved a bill that removed the labeling requirement for 10 percent ethanol blended fuel. Since the law was enacted in July, 2005, ethanol sales in Kansas have increased over 600 percent.
Kansas E85 Stations (as of March 2006)

COFFEYVILLE
Bordertown II, 2708 South Walnut

BIRD CITY
Frontier Equity Exchange, 209 West Highway 36

EMPORIA
S & S Oil Cardlock #1, 711 Anderson Street

GARNETT
Petro Plus, 120 S Maple Street (Highway 59)

GIRARD
Producers Coop, 300 E. St. John,

GREAT BEND
Bird Express, 1000 Main Street

Moeder Oil Company, Inc., 2302 Rail Road Avenue

HAYS
Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access)

MAIZE
Maize Kwik Shop #728, 5340 N. Maize Rd

TOPEKA
Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road

E85 coming soon to Brewster, Goodland & Sublette. At least 20 more on the way!

Kansas Fuel Retailers & Drivers Pick Ethanol
On July 1, 2005, the law requiring labeling of fuel containing up to 10 percent ethanol was repealed. This gave fuel retailers new flexibility to consider ethanol, a fuel additive that increases octane, burns cleaner and is good for engines. Sales of ethanol-blended fuels skyrocketed in late 2005. More and more retailers are finding ethanol-blended fuels are a good match for their operations. Figures from the Kansas Department of Revenue show the dramatic increase in E10 Unleaded sales from July through October.

2-16-06--Emporia Station Adds E85, 85% Ethanol Fuel
E85 fuel for flexible fuel vehicles can now be found in Emporia at S & S Oil’s Cardlock facility at 711 Anderson Street, just off of Highway 50. E85 is an alternative fuel made for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which are equipped to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today that can operate on E85. It is estimated there are more than 80,000 flexible fuel vehicles in Kansas.

“This is an excellent location for E85. It is easily accessible from I-35 and Highway 50,” according to Robert White with National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. (NEVC)

Motorists wishing to purchase E85 at S&S Oil will need a CFN card, which is available at the S&S Oil and Propane office located near the cardlock facility. CFN cards can be used at more than 3000 stations nationwide, including the E85 station in Topeka. S&S Oil and Propane Company Vice President Larry Mechtley said the new E85 pump is getting the attention of drivers.

“We are already getting quite a few people coming in and getting CFN cards for E85,” he said.

The Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and NEVC are working together to add approximately 20 new E85 fueling site in Kansas in 2006. NEVC is a national organization that strives to build the infrastructure for E85 fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles. Stations are also benefiting from state and federal tax credits that help offset a substantial portion of the cost associated with adding E85 fuel.

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. Besides its superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the nation's economy and energy independence.

E85 fuel is now available at nine stations in eight Kansas cities. In addition to the Emporia location, E85 can be found at stations in Bird City, Great Bend (2 stations), Coffeyville, Hays, Topeka, Maize and Garnett.

For Kansas ethanol information, including locations of E85 stations and information on flexible fuel vehicle, visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com. More information on E85 fuel can be found at the NEVC website at www.e85fuel.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that invests the half-cent corn checkoff in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education to build the value of Kansas corn. Kansas now has seven ethanol plants that produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year from 65 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum. An eighth plant is under construction in Phillipsburg and others are in various stages of planning.
 

10-14-05--Coffeyville and Great Bend Stations Add E85, 85% Ethanol Fuel

Drivers can now fill up with E85 fuel, 85% ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles, in Coffeyville and at a new location at Great Bend. Bordertown II Smoke Shop recently added an E85 pump at its station at 2708 South Walnut in Coffeyville. Bird Express, 1000 Main in Great Bend also has added E85 fuel.

E85 is an alternative fuel made for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which are equipped to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. There are over 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today that can operate on E85. It is estimated there are more than 80,000 flexible fuel vehicles in Kansas.

With the addition of the Coffeyville and Great Bend stations, E85 is now available at seven stations in six Kansas cities: Coffeyville Great Bend, Maize, Hays, Topeka and Garnett. Great Bend has two E85 stations. The availability of E85 fuel will increase dramatically in the near future.

At least 20 new E85 (85 percent ethanol) fueling sites will open in the next year, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC). NEVC is a national organization that strives to build the infrastructure for E85 fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles. Interest in E85 fuel is high because of its lower cost and higher performance.

Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce flexible fuel vehicles capable of operating on E85 fuel.

In addition to the Coffeyville and new Great Bend locations, E85 is also available in Hays at Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access); Topeka at Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road; in Maize at the Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Road, Great Bend at Moeder Oil, 2302 Rail Road Avenue, and in Garnett at Petro Plus, 120 South Maple.

For Kansas ethanol information, including locations of E85 stations and help determining if you have a flexible fuel vehicle, visit the Kansas Ethanol Information website at www.ksgrains.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that invests the half-cent corn checkoff in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education to build the value of Kansas corn.

9-19-05--Kansas to Add 20 E85 Ethanol Fueling Sites
At least 20 new E85 (85 percent ethanol) fueling sites will open in the next year, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Kansas Corn Commission, United Bio Energy and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC). NEVC is a national organization that strives to build the infrastructure for E85 fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles.

E85 is an alternative fuel, made for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) which are equipped to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. Kansas currently has five E85 stations located at Hays, Maize, Great Bend, Topeka and Garnett. There are over 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today that can operate on E85. NEVC Project Director Robert White estimated there are more than 80,000 flexible fuel vehicles in Kansas.

Interest in E85 fuel is high because of its lower cost and higher performance.

“Feedback from our ethanol exhibit at the Kansas State Fair reinforced our belief that Kansas motorists want the option of using E85 fuel,” Kansas Corn Commission Executive Director Jere White said. “Throughout the fair we were inundated with questions from people wanting to know where they could buy E85 and what vehicles could operate on it.”

Kansas now has seven ethanol plants that use 65 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum to produce 170 million gallons of ethanol per year. Prairie Horizons Agri-Energy LLC will begin construction in October on a 40 million gallon plant at Phillipsburg.

“The ethanol industry is seeing dynamic growth in Kansas and throughout the Midwest,” White said. “More and more people are realizing that it makes sense to buy ethanol—it is produced here with our crops, and it is simply a superior fuel.”

E85 has been available in KS for more than a decade, offering motorists with an alternative to traditional gasoline. E85 results in an average reduction of 74% in petroleum use, a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and a 35% reduction in fossil energy use.

9-15-06--Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC Breaks Ground on Phillipsburg Ethanol Plant
Construction will begin soon on a 40 million gallon ethanol plant near Phillipsburg. Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC held a ground breaking ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 14. The event was held at the plant site located at 1600 East 100 Road, one-half mile northeast of Phillipsburg. This plant is another step forward for a rapidly growing ethanol industry in Kansas, according to the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association (KGSPA).

“This project is an example of why we are so excited about the ethanol industry—it brings real economic growth to our rural communities,” according to Jere White, KCGA and KGSPA Executive Director. “It brings jobs, adds a market for grain, brings in revenues and it helps us meet our energy needs by turning grains into fuel.”

When completed, the plant will use 15 million bushels of grain sorghum and corn to produce 40 million gallons of ethanol per year. The plant will also produce 125,000 tons of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a high nutrient livestock feed. The cost of the project is $56 million. The group began its equity drive in July of 2004 and has over 300 investors.

Construction of the plant is expected to begin in early October and should be completed and in operation by July 2006, according to Monte Abell, Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy LLC President.. Colwich-based ICM, Inc. has been contracted to design and build the plant. About 35 people will be hired to operate the plant.

Kansas currently has seven ethanol plants that produce about 170 million gallons of ethanol per year. The plants are located in Atchison, Campus, Colwich, Garden City, Garnett, Leoti and Russell.

8-23-05--Kansas Growers Participate in Washington DC Ethanol Forums
August 23, 2005--Several members of the Kansas Corn Growers board of directors and the Kansas Corn Commission attended two ethanol forums at the National Press Club in Washington DC today.

NCGA hosted an Ethanol Energy Open Forum Aug. 23 at the National Press Club to address points made in a report issued recently by researchers who claimed ethanol uses more energy than it produces. The study, recently released by Drs. David Pimentel and Tad Patzek has received a large amount of media attention in recent weeks. Dr. Bruce Dale, a Michigan State University professor, and John Sheehan, a senior engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, debated Pimentel, a Cornell University entomology professor, and Patzek, a professor from University of California–Berkeley, on the merits of their latest study.

According to Dale and Sheehan, Pimentel and Patzek routinely inflate the energy inputs of both farming and fuel production. Their estimates of fossil inputs for farm production are twice as high as those estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and their grain processing input estimate is 40 percent higher, Sheehan said.

“Their analyses are simply wrong in many important details,” said Dale. “They really need to update their information.”

Kansas Corn Commission Chairman Bob Timmons, Fredonia said the Pimentel and Patzek did a poor job defending their study.

“The more they spoke, the less credible they were. It sounded like they used whatever numbers helped to prove their point, instead of using current, accurate numbers and then seeing what the truth was,” Timmons said. “At one point, Pimentel implied that he used outdated data because it had been compiled by a colleague he wanted to include in the study.”

Kansas Corn Growers Association President Brian Baalman of Menlo said he was not impressed with the researchers who claimed that ethanol has a negative net energy balance.

“Over and over, the Pimentel and Patzek study was questioned, and they really had no believable explanation for using the data they had in their study,” Baalman said. “You could tell they each had an agenda to promote. Pimentel claimed corn production was bad for the environment and that using corn to make ethanol was increasing beef prices. Looking at our 2.5 billion bushel corn surplus from last year’s harvest, you know that isn’t true.”

The debate portion of the program was followed by a session on the promise of renewable fuels. The second session, called “Renewable Energy: Dynamic Possibilities,” which featured presentations by representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Argonne National Laboratory and several other ethanol experts.

Kansas corn producers attending the event were: Brian Baalman, Menlo; Ron Blaesi, Sharon Springs; Mike Brzon, Courtland; Carolyn Dunn, St. John; Charles Foltz, Garnett; Dan Guetterman, Bucyrus; Ken McCauley, White Cloud; Kent Moore, Iuka; Armin Nelson, McPherson; Bill Pauly, Denton; Roger Pine, Lawrence; David Studer, Atwood; John Tibbits, Minneapolis; Bob Timmons, Fredonia; Terry Vinduska, Marion; Donnie Young, Ulysses; Ted Zielke, St. Francis; Jere White, Garnett, and Sue Hardman, Garnett. Also attending from Kansas were Greg Krissek from United Bio Energy, Wichita and Carole Jordan from the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Aug. 10, 2005--NEW WEB SITE PROVIDES CONSUMER INFO ON ETHANOL

During the past 20 years, American motorists have driven billions of hassle-free miles using ethanol-blended gasoline. Yet many questions about this growing fuel remain. A new web site, ethanolfacts.com, sets the record straight by offering consumers a single source of reliable information on this rapidly growing alternative to fossil fuels.

Ethanolfacts.com is an easy-to-use, comprehensive source of key ethanol informational links, as well as basic facts about ethanol and its benefits to the U.S. consumer.

“Utilizing common sense, homegrown renewable fuels is good for our national security, our environment and our economy,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, chair of the Governors Ethanol Coalition. “American consumers are looking for reliable information about ethanol’s benefits to the environment, the economy and national energy security. Ethanolfacts.com contains a wealth of information that will assist consumers in sorting out the facts from the fiction when it comes to ethanol.”

Every major auto maker in the world approves of the use of 10 percent ethanol fuel under warranty. At ethanolfacts.com, consumers can take a look at every major automakers’ owner’s manuals to see what they say about ethanol for their individual cars. Users will also learn how ethanol improves engine performance, reduces carbon monoxide emissions and offers other environmental benefits.

Consumers concerned about record-high gasoline prices will also find information about ethanol’s ability to moderate pump prices.

Ethanolfacts.com also includes facts on:

* E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline that is gaining in popularity in the alternative fuel marketplace;
* Emerging uses of ethanol, such as E-diesel and ethanol-based aviation fuel;
* The energy value of ethanol, including information on the fuel’s energy balance;
* The environmental benefits of ethanol;
* How ethanol helps America’s economy;
* How and where ethanol is produced.

To visit ethanolfacts.com, go to http://www.ethanolfacts.com

8-1-05--Kansas Growers Cheer Energy Bill Success

After several years of effort, Kansas corn growers are now celebrating the passage of a comprehensive energy bill with a 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard. The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) worked with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to pass this important legislation.

“We have been working for a renewable fuels standard for five years. This year, we were finally successful. The grassroots efforts of growers brought renewable fuels to the forefront. Growers worked hard for this victory and they got it,” according to Ken McCauley, White Cloud. McCauley will become NCGA First Vice President in October.

Ethanol production in Kansas has grown to seven plants producing 170 million gallons of ethanol per year and is benefiting the economies of the rural communities where the plants are located.

“Not too long ago Kansas produced 50 million gallons of ethanol; now we’re at 170 million gallons and with other plants on the drawing board,” McCauley said. “The RFS should help some of those plants move forward as well.”

In addition to the RFS, the bill’s tax title:

• Expands the definition of a “small ethanol producer” to 60 million gallons annually
• Extends the tax credit to agri-biodiesel producers until 2008
• Extends the biodiesel excise tax credit through 2008
• Establishes a credit for installing alternative fuel refueling property, including E85 and B20
• Provides for a two-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit
• Establishes three investment tax credits for clean coal facilities, including a 20 percent credit for industrial gasification projects.

The state’s Congressional delegation supported the energy bill. Representatives Jerry Moran, Jim Ryun, Todd Tiahrt and Dennis Moore; and Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback all voted in favor of the bill.
 

July 20, 2005--Great Bend Station Now Offers E85 Fuel at CardTrol Facility
Drivers can now fill up with E85 fuel, 85% ethanol fuel for flexible fuel vehicles, in Great Bend. Moeder Oil recently added an E85 pump at their station at 2302 Railroad Ave. in Great Bend. The station also offers E10 Unleaded, unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol for all vehicles.

The Kansas Corn Commission provided assistance to add E85 to the station. With the addition of Moeder Oil, E85 is now available in five Kansas cities: Great Bend, Maize, Hays, Topeka and Garnett.

“Interest in E85 fuel and flexible fuel vehicles is very high,” according to KCC Communications Director Sue Schulte. “Ethanol’s pricing is very attractive and is playing an important role in lowering fuel prices. Drivers with flexible fuel vehicles are seeking out E85 stations to take advantage of this fuel that is high octane, high performance and also priced significantly lower than regular unleaded.”

E85 is used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are designed to operate on the clean burning, renewable fuel. Millions of flexible fuel vehicles are on the road today. FFVs can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. E10 Unleaded is approved for use in all vehicles. Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes all produce FFVs.

E85 is a domestically-produced alternative transportation fuel. In addition to superior performance characteristics (over 100 octane), ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline and is a completely renewable, domestic fuel, made primarily from corn and grain sorghum.

E85 is also available in Hays at Power Plus, 3505 Vine St (I-70 access); Topeka at Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road; in Maize at the Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Road and in Garnett at Petro Plus, 120 South Maple.

For more information on E85, including a complete listing of E85 stations across the United States, visit the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition website at www.e85fuel.com. For more information on ethanol in Kansas, visit www.ksgrains.com.

The Kansas Corn Commission is a nine-member grower board that invests the half-cent corn checkoff in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education to build the value of Kansas corn.
 

East Kansas Agri-Energy Takes in First Load of Grain on June 10

June 10, 2005--The East Kansas Agri-Energy’s Garnett ethanol plant took its first load of grain today, marking the startup of the state’s seventh ethanol plant. Local grower Glenn Caldwell delivered a load of corn at 8 a.m. today. The Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association congratulated EKAE on taking its first step toward the production of ethanol.

“The first load of grain is an important milestone for an ethanol plant,” according to KCGA/KGSPA Executive Director Jere White. “Not only does it mark the beginning of the ethanol production process, it is symbolic of the positive impact the plant will have on grain producers.”

The plant held its groundbreaking ceremony just over seven months ago on October 29, 2004. The East Kansas Agri-Energy plant had a pricetag of $46.5 million. Organizers concluded a public offering for investors in January of 2004, resulting in a membership of over 575 businesses and individuals.

The EKAE plant will use about 13 million bushels of corn and grain sorghum per year to produce 35 million gallons of ethanol and more than 115,000 tons of dried distillers grains, a high-nutrient livestock feed.

With the addition of EKAE, Kansas now has seven dry grind ethanol plants in operation with a capacity of 170 million gallons. Kansas ethanol production now creates a market for about 65 million bushels of sorghum and corn. Other potential plants, including projects at Pratt and Phillipsburg, are in various stages of planning.
 

5-25-05--Agritalk Ethanol Pump Tour to Stop in Pratt on June 3
The Agritalk Ethanol Pump Tour is making a stop at the Pratt Kwik Shop, 102 Washington St., on Friday, June 3. Motorists buying E10 Unleaded fuel from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with 10 percent ethanol will receive a 10 cent per gallon discount from the Kansas Corn Commission. Plus, customers using their Dillon’s grocery store card will receive an additional 10 cent per gallon discount during the promotion.

Mike Adams, host of the nationally syndicated Agritalk radio show will broadcast live from the event, as will Pratt radio station KWLS 1290AM. KWLS is an AgriTalk affiliate and airs the show weekdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Growers and AgriTalk staff will be on hand to pump E10 Unleaded and answer questions about the fuel. Information and prizes will be given out throughout the event. Sponsorship of the AgriTalk Pump Tour and other E10 Unleaded promotions are part of the Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) and Kansas Corn Growers Association's (KCGA) efforts to increase the use and availability of E10 Unleaded fuel in Kansas.

"We have a great story to tell. E10 Unleaded fuel is approved by every automaker-both foreign and domestic," KCC/KCGA Director of Value Added Programs Robert White said. "When you see all the benefits of using E10 Unleaded, it makes perfect sense to use it in your car. The ethanol in the fuel keeps your fuel system clean, it increases the fuel's octane, it burns cleaner; plus it's renewable and domestically produced so it reduces our dependence on foreign oil."

The Kansas Corn Commission is made up of growers representing the state's nine crop reporting districts who determine how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education.

5-24-05--Kansas Corn Commission Staffer to Speak at DDGS Conferences in Mexico
The Kansas Corn Commission is working with the US Grains Council to build export markets for distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production. The Kansas Corn Commission’s Director of Value Added Programs Robert White will give presentations in a series of distillers grains conferences in Mexico May 30 through June 3.

The conferences, sponsored by the US Grains Council, will give grain buyers information on the use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in different animal species. Mexico is considered a prime market for DDGS, a high nutrient livestock feed that is a byproduct of ethanol production.

“As the ethanol industry continues to increase production, development of overseas markets for DDGS will be critical. The market potential in Mexico is huge, and that is what this trip is all about,” White said.

White will give an overview of the US ethanol industry, speaking about the ethanol-making process, ethanol plant location and production, and what the future holds. The conferences will be held in the Mexican cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Merida. Other speakers will talk to participants about grain supply and demand, DDGS trade and supply, and the use of DDGS in layers, broilers, swine and dairy cattle.

White is a member of the US Grains Council’s Value Added Advisory Team. The Kansas Corn Commission funds efforts of the US Grains Council to build foreign markets for corn.

The US Grains Council is a private, non-profit corporation with 10 international offices and programs in more than 80 countries. Its unique membership includes producer organizations and agribusinesses with a common interest in developing export markets.

The Kansas Corn Commission is made up of growers representing the state's nine crop reporting districts who determine how the half-cent per bushel corn checkoff is invested in the areas of market development, promotion, research and education. For more information, contact the KCC at 800-489-2676 or visit www.ksgrains.com.

5-3-05--The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) Formed to Promote Ethanol Awareness

St. Louis‚ Mo. (May 3‚ 2005) — Recent research conducted by The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) shows that many people are not yet familiar with ethanol‚ but when informed about its benefits‚ are likely to purchase ethanol-blended fuels.

“There is a great need for information about how ethanol benefits consumers‚” says Tom Slunecka‚ executive director for EPIC. “Through EPIC‚ members of the ethanol industry will work together to inform consumers about the positive benefits of ethanol and help develop new demand across the U.S.”

The rising cost of fuel is not only causing near record gas prices‚ but other areas of the economy are also being affected. As a result‚ Americans are looking for ways to save money. One way to reduce fuel costs is to increase the use of ethanol-blended gasoline across the country.

Ethanol production is growing with 3.4 billion gallons produced in 2004. There are currently 83 ethanol plants positioned throughout the U.S. with more on the way.

“Ethanol is a highly refined product that is available to millions of consumers today‚” says Slunecka. “Yet the question remains‚ why isn’t it available to everyone in all parts of the country?”

Ethanol has been shown to deliver major benefits to consumers. It is an environmentally friendly fuel‚ proven to reduce air pollutants and provides major performance benefits. It’s also renewable and made in America. A major misperception of ethanol is that it is harmful to cars. In fact‚ the exact opposite is true. Ethanol burns cleaner and doesn’t leave harmful deposits in fuel systems. Since the early 80s when ethanol was introduced‚ all major auto manufacturers have approved the use of ethanol in their vehicles. In fact‚ the Indy Racing League announced this year that it will be switching to a 10 percent ethanol blend in 2006 and 100 percent ethanol blend in 2007 in its racecars.

In addition‚ consumers have helped to reduce the U.S. trade deficit by $5 billion dollars and eliminated the need to import 143.3 million barrels of oil.

According to Slunecka‚ “Ethanol is a high-tech fuel providing the opportunity for everyone to make a positive impact on their environment while increasing their car’s performance. And using ethanol is something that we can do right now.”

“Informed consumers have a greater ability to impact change. It’s time that consumers are getting the full picture about their energy choices‚” says Slunecka.

To learn more about ethanol‚ consumers can visit www.drivingethanol.org.
 

April 15, 2005
Kansas Corn Commission NEWS

Kansas Drivers Reap Fuel Savings with Flexible Fuel Vehicles
A lot of drivers are saving from 30 to 60 cents per gallon at the pump today by driving flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can operate on E85, an 85 percent ethanol fuel currently available at four locations in Kansas. Flexible fuel vehicles can operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent ethanol. E85 is currently selling up to 60 cents below regular unleaded gas in Kansas.

“There are already about six million flexible fuel vehicles on the road, and many on showroom floors. For people who live in areas that have a station that sells E85, owning an FFV can be a real money-saver,” according to KCC Director of Value Added Programs Robert White.

E85 fuel can be found at four stations in Kansas located in Topeka, Maize, Garnett and Hays. Plans are underway to add E85 to other locations in Kansas as well. Additionally, E85 can be found at some stations on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. E85 fuel’s lower price tag is getting the attention of motorists.

“We are getting more and more calls from drivers wanting to know how they can use this fuel. They need a flexible fuel vehicle, which has a fuel system that can operate on the higher ethanol content,” White said. “However, drivers who don’t have FFVs can still find savings by using E10 Unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol, which is priced at or below regular unleaded in most locations in Kansas.”

Part of the challenge is educating car buyers and car dealers about flexible fuel vehicles. The Kansas Corn Commission offers information to dealers and car buyers to help them determine which vehicles have the FFV option.

“If you have a vehicle on your lot that can run on a fuel that is cheaper than gas, that’s a great selling tool,” White said. “Dealers can benefit from knowing which of their vehicles are FFVs and letting their customers know about the potential fuel savings for those vehicles. Many popular vehicles, like the Silverado, Avalanche, Tahoe and Taurus have the FFV option”

In addition to the ability to use cheaper fuel, people who buy FFVs and use E85 can claim a state tax credit. An individual who purchases a new FFV has from the date of purchase through that calendar year and the next calendar year to purchase 500 gallons of E85. They can then submit those receipts with their taxes and receive a $750 tax credit.

The differences between a car with the FFV option and one without it are small. An FFV has an improved fuel system and a fuel sensor that detects the ethanol/gasoline ratio. The six million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today have been produced by Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Mercury, Nissan, Mazda and Isuzu. All of those companies, except Mazda and Isuzu, offer 2005 model year FFVs.

“In fact, Ford began making FFVs in 1995,” he said. “There are a lot of motorists who are driving a flexible fuel vehicle now and don’t know it. Those people could be saving a lot of money at the pump today if E85 is available in their community.”

Kansas E85 stations are located at: Power Plus, 3505 Vine St, Hays, KS; Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Road, Topeka; Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Road, Maize, and Petro Plus, 120 S. Maple (Highway 59), Garnett.

White said fuel retailers are also asking how they can add E85 to their product line.

“The combination of grant funds a station could receive, plus a state tax credit can make the addition of an E85 pump a relatively inexpensive addition,” White said. “Because of the small number of E85 stations in the state, adding E85 could really build a station’s customer base if the fuel is aggressively marketed.”

Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced and clean-burning fuel made in Kansas from corn and grain sorghum at six facilities located in Atchison, Colwich, Russell, Campus, Garden City and Leoti. A seventh plant will open at Garnett this summer.

Information on E85 fueling sites, E85 vehicles and help determining if your vehicle is a flexible fuel can be found on Kansas Ethanol Information web site at www.ksgrains.com or at the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition web site at www.e85fuel.com. For more information, contact the Kansas Corn Commission at 800-489-2676.

Kansas Corn Growers Association
March 23, 2005
Kansas Corn and Sorghum Growers Applaud Passage of Ethanol Labeling Bill
A bill that would repeal a requirement to label fuel containing ethanol is on its way to Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who is expected to sign it. Senate Bill 56, passed earlier by the Senate, received the approval of the Kansas House in a 110-13 vote today. The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) and Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association were active supporters of the bill.

“We applaud the Kansas Legislature for passing this bill, which, when implemented, could dramatically expand our in-state markets for Kansas ethanol,” according to Jere White, Executive Director of KCGA and KGSPA.

Before bill goes into law, it must be signed by the Governor. In addition, the Kansas Department of Agriculture must revise its agency rules and regulations regarding pump labeling.

Kansas currently has an ethanol production capacity of 135 million gallons at six plants located in Atchison, Colwich, Russell, Campus, Garden City and Leoti. A 35 million gallon plant is under construction at Garnett and will begin production this year. Plans to build a 50 million gallon at Pratt and a 40 million gallon plant Phillipsburg are underway.

The State of Kansas received the use of a flexible fuel Chevrolet Avalanche on Kansas Agriculture Day, March 21. From left to right: KCGA Board Member and State Senator Roger Pine, Lawrence; Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky, and KCGA/KCC Executive Director Jere White.

March, 20, 2005

Kansas Is First to Receive Ethanol-Powered Vehicle from GM
The State of Kansas has the use of an ethanol-powered Chevrolet Avalanche for a year, thanks to a cost-free lease from General Motors. Governor Kathleen Sebelius took possession of the truck at Kansas Agriculture Day at the Statehouse on Monday.

The vehicle will be used by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to promote the use of ethanol. The Avalanche is a flexible fuel vehicle, which can run on any combination of ethanol and gasoline up to 85 percent ethanol. E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol can be purchased at stations in Topeka, Hays, Garnett and Maize.

Not only will the state benefit from the use of the vehicle, E85 fuel is priced significantly lower than regular gasoline, according to the Kansas Corn Commission.

“Motorists who own flexible fuel vehicles have a real advantage at the pump with today’s fuel prices. E85 is selling for 30 cents or more per gallon below regular unleaded fuel. There are about 6 million flexible fuel vehicles on the road today,” according to Robert White, KCC Director of Value Added Programs. White is also vice chairman of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, an organization that promotes the use and availability of E85 fuel.

The automaker is offering the use of the flexible fuel trucks to the 26 states that belong to the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. Governor Sebelius is vice chairman of the GEC and will be chair of the organization in 2006. Kansas is the first state to receive a Chevrolet Avalanche from the GM effort.

E85 fuel can be found at four locations in Kansas: Power Plus, 3505 Vine St., Hays; Capital City Oil, 4141 NW Lower Silver Lake Rd., Topeka; Maize Kwik Shop, 5340 N. Maize Rd., Maize; Petro Plus, 120 S. Maple, Garnett.

For more information on ethanol, E85 fuel and flexible fuel vehicles, visit the Kansas Ethanol site at www.ksgrains.com.

Feb. 23, 2005

U.S. Ethanol Industry Sets Annual Production Record of 3.4 Billion Gallons in 2004

Record Ethanol Demand Also Set in the U.S. Last Year

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today announced the domestic ethanol industry set an annual production record of 3.4 billion gallons in 2004, an increase of 21 percent from 2.81 billion gallons in 2003. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), December’s 232,000 barrels per day of ethanol production tied the all-time monthly record set in November. Production in December of 2003 was 207,000 b/d.

U.S. petroleum companies utilized a record 3.53 billion gallons of ethanol in 2004. Adding to the 3.4 billion gallons of U.S production, 160 million gallons of ethanol were imported according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. However, U.S. ethanol stocks increased 31 million gallons during the year according to the EIA.

January 20, 2005

Bill to Repeal Ethanol Labeling Introduced in Kansas
(Kansas Corn Growers Association/Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association news release)

A bill that would repeal a law requiring fuel containing alcohol to be labeled was introduced in the Kansas Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday. The bill, SB56, is supported by the Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association and several other groups that support the use of ethanol.

“The law was enacted nationwide in the early 1980s because of problems caused by gasohol which was used to extend fuel supplies during the oil crisis,” according to KCGA/KGSPA Director of Value Added Programs Robert White. “The label served its purpose at a time when vehicles were less adaptable to the use of such fuels. Many ingredients, including methanol, were used in gasohol, and most were used at levels that would not be safe even today.”

Supporters of the bill argue that the labeling law served its original purpose and is no longer needed. Ethanol is found in over 30% of the gasoline sold nationwide. There are no health, environmental or automobile risks associated with ethanol.

“Today, the only alcohol being added to fuel in the Kansas market is ethanol, a highly refined fuel produced from corn and grain sorghum. There is no legitimate reason to have a label on fuels blended with 10 percent ethanol and below,” White said. “Of all the ingredients in fuel, ethanol is one of the safest.”

Gasoline is also much different than it was 25 years ago. All gasoline today has various detergents already added.

“Ethanol is one that adds octane and extends our fuel supply, while helping our economy and environment,” he said.

White said the associations plan to launch an effort to help fuel retailers understand how they can include ethanol in their fuel blends. Removing the labeling requirement would increase the amount of ethanol sold in Kansas, boosting local and regional markets for the fuel produced at ethanol facilities located in six rural communities.

“One of the benefits of ethanol is that it reduces our reliance on foreign oil and adds stability to our domestic fuel supply,” White said. “Ethanol is already found in a third of our nation’s gasoline. By removing the labeling requirement, fuel retailers will have more flexibility to offer ethanol-blended fuel when the economics allow it.”

E10 Unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol is approved for use by all domestic and foreign automakers. It is a renewable fuel and lowers polluting emissions.

Kansas currently has an ethanol production capacity of 130 million gallons at six plants located in Atchison, Colwich, Russell, Campus, Garden City and Leoti. A 35 million gallon plant is under construction at Garnett. Plans to build a 50 million gallon at Pratt and a 40 million gallon plant Phillipsburg also are well underway.

1/17/2005

CO2 Injection Boosts Oil Recovery, Captures Emissions


DOE-Funded Watershed Project in Kansas Demonstrates Technology

Tulsa, OK -- Technology advances, economic improvements, and environmental needs have aligned to create a "perfect storm" of growth opportunity for a proven method for enhancing oil recovery in the United States: carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding.

A watershed project in Kansas funded by the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to demonstrate that this technology’s time has come, while leveraging energy security, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits in a number of ways. The payoff could be hundreds of millions of barrels of oil in Kansas that otherwise might never be produced.

Until now, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using CO2 has not been feasible in Kansas because the largest natural sources of CO2 in the United States are hundreds of miles away. The resulting high transportation costs would doom the economic feasibility of any CO2 flood. Accordingly, all but a handful of CO2 floods are in the Permian basin of West Texas and New Mexico, not far from large deposits of CO2.

The Kansas project takes a different approach, capitalizing on the benefits of what amounts to a unique, scalable model for linked energy systems. It entails using waste heat from a 15-megawatt natural-gas-fired turbine generator to provide thermal energy for a 25 million gallon-per-year corn ethanol plant. The project then recovers some of the CO2 that is a byproduct of the fermentation process involved in corn ethanol production and uses it for a CO2 EOR flood in the Hall-Gurney field in central Kansas.

The Hall-Gurney flood represents a couple of firsts:

* The first CO2 flood in Kansas.
* The first time waste CO2 from an ethanol plant has been used for enhanced oil recovery.

Both are significant achievements. If the project proves feasible, it could open the door for CO2 floods throughout Kansas. The potential added incremental oil recovered from such an effort could total as much as 600 million barrels of oil in Kansas alone. As many as 6,000 mature oilfields in the state could be saved from abandonment—not to mention the thousands of jobs created from implementing these projects.

CO2 EOR projects are proliferating in the United States as operating costs of these projects and CO2 prices have dropped sharply in recent years. Given the immense volumes of bypassed oil in America’s thousands of mature or declining oilfields, and expectations for persistently high oil prices, expanding CO2 EOR efforts sound like an idea whose time has come.

Furthermore, an enhanced oil recovery project using industrial waste CO2 also "closes the carbon loop" by injecting underground CO2 that otherwise would be vented to the atmosphere. Such carbon sequestration efforts are the subject of intense research and government scrutiny worldwide amid growing concerns over the role that human-created CO2 emissions play in global climate change.

Oil production from the Hall-Gurney CO2 flood started up in May 2004, following 6 months of CO2 injection. The pilot project is using only 10 percent of the CO2 stream from the ethanol plant at Russell, Kan., from which the gas is trucked 7 miles to the field site.

One such ethanol plant could supply a small oilfield, capable of producing 5 million barrels of oil and sequestering 1.5 million tons of CO2, for 20 years. If CO2 flooding were implemented across the entire Hall-Gurney oilfield, it would require CO2 waste gas volumes from the equivalent of five such ethanol plants.

Combined, the benefits from integrating power, ethanol production, enhanced oil recovery, and CO2 sequestration could total $88 million over 10 years, if all of the plant’s CO2 were used.

DOE has been funding research into CO2 EOR since the late 1970s. The big commercial expansion of CO2 flooding in U.S. oilfields that began in the 1980s would not have been possible without the groundbreaking fundamental research funded by the Energy Department. The Office of Fossil Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory continues to manage a host of DOE-funded CO2 EOR research and demonstration projects, even as oil company spending for basic EOR research and development has declined in recent years.

The Kansas project is managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory in partnership with the Kansas Geological Survey and The Tertiary Oil Recovery Project at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kinder Morgan CO2 Co. L.P. (Houston), Murfin Drilling Co. (Wichita, Kan.), John O. Farmer, Inc (Russell, Kan), White Eagle Resources( Louisville,Co) U.S. Energy Partners (Colwich, Kan.), and the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Source: National Energy Technology Laboratory

October 29, 2004

Garnett Ethanol Plant Organizers Celebrate Groundbreaking

With heavy equipment working in the background, organizers of East Kansas Agri-Energy broke ground on a 35 million gallon ethanol plant at Garnett. EKAE plans to complete the $46.5 million project and begin production by the end of May 2005.

Monte Shaw of the Renewable Fuels Association told the large group of investors gathered at the plant site today that they were part of a national movement that is helping to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We now have 81 plants in operation and 14 plants under construction. In fact, two plants are breaking ground today,” Shaw said.

A 50 million gallon plant in Goldfield, Iowa also broke ground today. Kansas-based ICM, Inc. is involved in the construction of the both the Garnett plant and the Iowa plant. In remarks at the groundbreaking event, ICM’s David VanderGriend said there was a strong demand for ethanol and that the plant would boost the local economy. “The money stays here when the ethanol leaves the county,” he said.

Ron Lamberty of the American Coalition for Ethanol reminded investors that there were many untapped markets for ethanol, some close to Garnett.

“Kansas City could use 150 million gallons, but right now they’re probably only using about 20 million gallons,” Lamberty said. “There is plenty of market out there.”

Kansas currently has six ethanol plants located in Russell, Colwich, Campus, Garden City, Leoti and Atchison. The six plants have a capacity to produce 130 million gallons per year. Jere White, Executive Director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association and Commission and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association said the state could double its ethanol production in the next year.

“Right now our ethanol production uses 48 million bushels. When we double that and get to the point where we’re using 100 million bushels, that’s going to have a big impact,” White said.

The EKAE plant will create a market for 13 million bushels of grain per year to produce 35 million gallons of ethanol and more than 100,000 tons of dried distillers grains, a high nutrient livestock feed. A public offering for investors concluded in January of this year resulting in a membership of over 575 businesses and individuals.

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