ACE welcomes new ethanol producer members HLBE, SIRE
October 7, 2019
BY American Coalition for Ethanol
The American Coalition for Ethanol recently welcomed two new ethanol producer members Heron Lake BioEnergy located in Heron Lake, Minnesota, and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy located in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
HLBE’s 65 MMgy plant provides jobs to 40 full-time employees and has approximately 1,200 investors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“Over the years, I have been able to see and experience the value ACE offers first hand,” said Kenton Johnson, HLBE and ACE board member. “ACE provides the best value in the industry. The return on investment for ACE’s policy and market development work is bar none the best in the business. In a time where our industry is working with difficult margins, it is more important than ever to invest in trade organizations that keep up the fight for ethanol’s access to the market.”
The 130 MMgy SIRE ethanol plant employees 62 people and has over 800 investors. SIRE hosted President Trump to celebrate the lift on the summertime E15 ban this past June. SIRE CEO, and 18-year veteran of the ethanol industry, Mike Jerke said, “joining ACE was an initiative we wanted to accomplish this year.”
“ACE’s grassroots approach to public policy and market development is top notch, making the decision to join an easy one,” Jerke added. “They work with the folks who are in the trenches on environmental policy and international market development. Their proven experience and expertise in these areas only strengthened our cause for joining. We need industry champions who are willing to help place us in an offensive position, ACE is doing just that. We look forward to our continued work with this organization.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
“ACE is proud to represent farmer and community-owned ethanol plants,” said Liz Bunkers, ACE director of member and industry relations. “We take great pride in being a voice for farmers and ethanol producers who are committed to making a superior renewable product that supports local agriculture and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. With the addition of Heron Lake BioEnergy and Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, ACE is growing our membership roster to represent a bigger slice of rural America.”
Related Stories
Aemetis Inc. released fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on March 13, reporting increased revenues for its U.S. ethanol and biogas operations as well as its biodiesel operations in India.
JetBlue along with its fuel partners marked the first-ever regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for commercial air travel in the region at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The U.S. EIA maintained its outlook for 2025 and 2026 biodiesel production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released March 11. Production forecasts for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) were also maintained.
SK Energy on March 10 announced that it had signed a contract with Cathay to supply no less than 20,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) until 2027. SK Energy has been supplying ISCC certified SAF to Cathey since November 2024.
The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation has awarded Courtney Videchak the 2025 Beth Calabotta Sustainable Education Grant. Videchak is a Mechanical Engineering PhD candidate at the University of Michigan with experience working on diesel engines.
Upcoming Events
