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Biodiesel, ethanol industry leaders applaud USDA, EPA for supporting renewable fuels programs

WIND MEASUREMENTS

  • 04 2011 19

    NEWTON, IOWAToday Renewable Energy Group® officials hosted USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson as well as leaders from the ethanol industry at their REG Newton biorefinery to discuss the role of advanced biofuels in meeting the President's energy independence goals."POET“We applaud Secretary Vilsack and Administrator Jackson for their roles in implementing energy independence and clean air programs focused on enhancing advanced biofuels production and utilization,” said Renewable Energy Group’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Daniel J. Oh who opened the roundtable discussion. “We appreciate our partners in the ethanol industry, Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, and Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy for joining us in highlighting the opportunities and challenges in the biodiesel and ethanol industries.”

    Broin highlighted the importance of continuous process advancement for creating new opportunities. “The growing cooperation between the ethanol and biodiesel industries will benefit the country by offsetting even more oil imports and holding down gas prices in coming years,” Broin told USDA and EPA leaders.

    “Creating good paying American jobs, decreasing carbon emissions and strengthening our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil are very positive contributions from this country’s biofuels industry,” said Todd Becker, President and CEO of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. during the roundtable. “Projects like our BioProcess Algae bioreactors in Shenandoah, Iowa are paving the way for next generation biofuels.”

    “Our production facility is proof that next?generation advanced biofuel is commercially-available today. Our Newton biorefinery is supporting 23 full-time green collar jobs, regional economic development and Iowa agriculture,” said Oh before leading the group through REG’s 30 million gallon per year facility.

    During the tour, REG showcased the wide variety of raw materials it uses to produce biodiesel. “This facility efficiently converts recycled and natural fats and oils into advanced biofuel which may be used in any diesel engine seamlessly,” explained Oh. “Biodiesel production complements protein production by using the co-products and by-products of meat and meal production.”

    Oh highlighted a bottle of inedible corn oil feedstock and another of inedible corn oil?based biodiesel, pointing out the importance POET’s recent corn oil technology announcement.

    Broin noted, “POET’s newest co-product shows that through new technology, the renewable fuels industry is helping the President achieve his goal of reducing oil imports. Biodiesel producers like Renewable Energy Group are already using POET’s corn oil today, and that means we’re producing even more fuel from the same bushel of corn.”

    Sursa: renewableenergyworld.com