Minn. ag commissioner begins 'Support the RFS' biofuel plant tour

January 6, 2014

BY Ron Kotrba

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson is touring the Land of 10,000 Lakes to support the state’s ethanol and biodiesel industries, and to ask the U.S. EPA to reconsider its stance on the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The EPA’s proposed 2014 reduction in RFS required volumes would result in an estimated $610 million dollars in losses and more than 1,500 jobs cut from the Minnesota economy and its workforce, according to a 2012 state report.

On Jan. 6 Frederickson is scheduled to visit three ethanol plants: a Poet facility in Preston, another Poet plant in Albert Lea, and the Corn Plus Cooperative in Winnebago.

On Jan. 7, the commissioner is scheduled to tour Minnesota Soybean Processors, a soybean crush and biodiesel production facility in Brewster. He will also visit Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton.

Minnesota has long been a pioneer in supporting renewable fuels. It was the first state to implement an ethanol fuel mandate. In the mid-2000s, Minnesota also became the first state to require biodiesel in its diesel fuel, beginning at 2 percent and then moving to 5 percent. This summer, the state will be requiring 10 percent biodiesel in its diesel fuel during the warmer months, which will be scaled back to 5 percent during the cold season. 

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For more information on the tours, click here

 

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