American Ethanol the Magazine - Issue 4 by Growth Energy

Summer 2017

RFS & RVP

What does the future hold?

MARK MARQUIS U.S. ethanol’s growing impact on the world

Easy and delicious

corn & cheese frittatas

Ethanol powerboat is “Top Gun”

World traveler speaks up for ethanol

Forty straight years of truck leadership. How do F-Series trucks pull off that epic run? Rock-solid durability, up-to-the-nanosecond technology and jaw-dropping capability. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tough job. But somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got to do it. FORD.COM ///

CONTENTS So Many Miles

10 4

MMA Mom

Global Vision

Race Recap

rt. Engine Sma Earth Kind. For vehicles r 2001 & newe

Celebrating Heroes

Higher octane

Burns cleaner

The Future of RFS

13 18

What’s in a Name

Straight-Line Speed

Corn & Cheese Please!

Globe Trotter

American Ethanol The Magazine is published quarterly by Growth Energy™, 701 8th St NW Suite 450 Washington, DC 20001. For more information, please call 202.545.4000 or visit AmericanEthanolRacing.com. Ryan Welsh, Director of Sales & Marketing. Houston Ruck, Creative Director. Majda Sarkic, Manager of Communications. © 2017 Growth Energy. All Rights Reserved.

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Mark Marquis envisions a worldwide future for American ethanol

Ethanol Goes T

he story of American industry is composed of chapters written by hardworking individuals who were able to see the future and seize the opportunity it offered. The founders of Marquis Energy began writing their chapter more than 40 years ago. ”My dad and uncle were tenant farmers on corn and soybeans farms, and I grew up hoeing weeds out of the beans for $1 an hour,” Mark Marquis, co-founder and CEO of Marquis Energy, recalled. “Then, in 1975, my father, my uncle, and I bought a $3,500 truck and a $50 grain dealer’s license from the state of Illinois and started Marquis Grain. I was 19 at the time.”

From these humble beginnings, Marquis Grain grew through the ’80s and ’90s. Marquis’ cousin and brother-in-law joined the company as it expanded into the import and export business, shipping grain, fertilizer, steel, and sand up and down the Illinois River. The company built one grain elevator and purchased a second, then built two barge terminals to handle liquid nitrogen fertilizer. These impressive accomplishments laid the foundation for a business decision that would give birth to Marquis Energy—and transform the company into a major player in the international energy market.

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

Not your typical corporate executive, Marquis often flies himself to work in his own helicopter.

GLOBAL “I can remember exactly when I had my ‘aha’ moment with ethanol,” Marquis stated. “It was the day after Christmas in 2004. I had been thinking about the future of the business over the holidays. Corn prices at that time had remained flat, but the price of energy continued to climb. I said to my business partner, ‘Don’t you think we’re looking at a time in history when energy is going to take over as the driving force behind the price of corn?’” The answer was a resounding “yes,” and the Marquis family focused its energy on entering the growing industry. As they made plans to build their first

In 2016, the U.S. ethanol export business surpassed

1 billion gallons.

ethanol plant, their experience in the export arena led to a second “aha” moment. “We realized that our outbound logistics would be extremely important in selling our ethanol and distillers grain,” Marquis noted. “That’s why we decided to build an ethanol plant on the water that can participate in the export market.” The result was their Hennepin, Illinois, plant, which is situated on the Illinois River and served by barge, the Norfolk Southern Railway, and the Interstate system. The success of its first plant led Marquis Energy to ultimately build a second, identical plant on the same (continued next page)

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(continued from previous page) site. They now produce a million gallons of ethanol daily at what they believe to be the largest dry mill plant in the United States. The company also has a second plant in Wisconsin with an annual production capacity of 90 million gallons. “We market all of our own products, and export 60 percent of our ethanol and 90 percent of our dried distiller’s grains (DDGS),” Marquis said. “We’ve shipped to Europe, China, South America, and even Dubai. Even there they see the octane and oxygenation advantages of ethanol.” Marquis’ extensive business travels have taken him to all 50 states and 36 countries. Those experiences have provided him with a window to a rapidly changing world that holds tremendous promise for the twin ethanol and DDGS industries.

“Ethanol just fits where the world is headed.”

“As the economies in high-population countries like China and India improve, citizens tend to move from bikes to mopeds and cars, and that is creating an issue for these countries,” Marquis explained. “I was in China when they had their first air quality red alert. The fact that ethanol burns cleaner and also has an exponential impact on improving tailpipe emissions from gasoline is going to become increasingly important in those countries.” That same upward mobility is also impacting dietary patterns, increasing meat consumption, and opening the door for higher DDGS imports. “The world is long on starch and short on protein,” Marquis observed. “DDGS is an environmentally-friendly, high-protein feed for livestock producers in these growing economies with great growth potential.”

Marquis is confident not only in the future of ethanol but also in the fact that America has the inside track to be the preeminent player in the international ethanol market. He noted that while Brazil initially held the position of lowcost producer due to its experience in the production of sugar-based ethanol, the United States now holds that title. “Technology has delivered dramatic increases in corn yields; we have tremendous farmers and agricultural resources, and our production facilities continue to increase in efficiency,” he stated. Helping turn that potential into reality is Marquis’ focus as a member of the Growth Energy board of directors and chair of the foreign market development committee. “Our goal is to build the ethanol export business, which last year surpassed 1 billion gallons, to at least 2 billion gallons in 2022 and 4 billion in 2024,” he said. “We will be adding both staff and resources in the coming year to help us in accomplishing those goals.” Marquis Energy remains a family business. Mark is the CEO; son Jason manages day-to-day ethanol production operations; cousin Tom is in charge of marketing and procurement; and Tom’s two sons, Alex and Ben, serve as logistics manager and director of technology, respectively. To say that Marquis is optimistic about the future of ethanol is an understatement, and Marquis Energy is poised to grow with the industry. “I don’t believe we’re done expanding our presence in the ethanol industry,” he said. “We’re very optimistic about ethanol’s future as a product. It’s high octane, high oxygen, and not only allows us to have smaller, high-compression engines but also helps gasoline burn cleaner and exponentially reduces tailpipe emissions. It fits where the world is headed.”

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

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As American As Ethanol Racing at Daytona to honor our veterans

fter Austin Dillon and the No. 3 car posted a win at the Coca-Cola 600, Growth Energy was eagerly anticipating the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona on July 1—and not just for the thrill of competition. Nineteen percent of the American ethanol industry’s workforce is veterans. That is why honoring military members is a strong tradition for Growth Energy, and the association proudly partners with NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to carry that tradition forward.

You won’t find a more patriotic sport than NASCAR, as demonstrated by the “NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola” initiative, which honors the United States military and runs through most of the summer. As part of that effort, Growth Energy unveiled in Daytona a special edition red, white, and blue American Ethanol paint scheme on Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet race car. Retired four-star general, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Growth Energy board member Wesley Clark served as the grand marshal of the race. Accompanying him to the track were employees of Growth Energy member

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

Veterans

19%

make up of the American ethanol industry’s workforce

U.S. Army General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark gives the “Drivers, start your engine” command in front of race fans and a national television audience to start the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Austin Dillon wins the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. (HHP/Harold Hinson)

companies who had previously served our country in the military and their spouses. The group was honored by a crowd that clearly respected and appreciated the daily sacrifices our military makes for the United States. Growth Energy’s partnerships with NASCAR and RCR go beyond sponsorship agreements. They share many of the same ideals, making involvement in the sport such an enriching experience for Growth Energy and American Ethanol. Both are working to make sure every NASCAR fan in America is a fan of ethanol. They are also confident that more and more NASCAR fans will come to value the industry as embodying the values they hold dear.

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Austin Dillon, Gen. Wesley K. Clark, and Gertrude Clark greet Growth Energy member company employees and veterans before the start of the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. (HHP/Alan Marler)

Fighting for Her Family

Ethanol connects this MMA pioneer to her heartland roots What began as an outlet for a brand-new mother and full-time student turned into a life-changing career path for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Cat Zingano. “I was up to my neck in responsibility and needed a physical outlet,” she recalled. “That led me to jujitsu, which then led me to MMA. To be able to hit pads and play the mind chess of me against another strong individual gave me an outlet and the tools to be a better parent, as well.” As the first mom to compete in the UFC, Zingano keenly feels the different worlds she inhabits. “As a fighter, I’m doing what I can to break somebody’s will and beat them physically and mentally,” she stated. “As a mother, I’m trying to grow somebody physically and mentally, to nurture and care for them. At times, it is very hard to feel accomplished in both things at the same time, especially as a single mom.” The power of family is one reason she appreciates the support of Growth Energy. “I like their Midwest roots,” said Zingano, whose family is from Minnesota. “Midwesterners are my favorite people to be around—the smiles, food, and

MMA fighter Cat Zingano appears at a POET charity fundraiser for Travellers’ Oasis Centre, a girls boarding school in Kenya. (Photo courtesy of Reistroffer Design)

culture. Having the support of Growth Energy and that ‘warm’ feeling has really helped me through all the training camps. Their integrity and focus on clean fuel and the future of our planet grounds me. It makes me feel good about the process and progress they are making on the environment.” MMA has opened a world of opportunity for Zingano, a pioneer for women in the sport, who participated in the second women’s match in UFC history. “The reason I have the voice and position I have is because I thought outside the box and went against the grain of what women are ‘supposed to be doing,’” she stressed. Along with success have come significant personal challenges, from injuries to the death of her husband, Mauricio. Zingano has resolutely pushed through them, motivated by her drive and her son, Brayden. “I don’t want to die with potential. I want to fuel my dreams and go for my ultimate best. The only way I can communicate that with my son is to show him through my actions.”

Zingano tours POET’s Chancellor, SD, ethanol plant.

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

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AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

E15 Finds Its Identity

Growth Energy takes the lead to create a unified brand

Engine Smart. Earth Kind. For vehicles 2001 & newer

Higher octane

Burns cleaner

What’s in a name? According to research conducted by Growth Energy, the answer is … a lot!

the lead in determining how to unify the naming convention and promote this product.”

Every year, Growth Energy market development representatives meet with E15 retailers. At their meeting last August, they found there were a variety of names used in marketing this product. There were also varying levels of success associated with those names. For example, here are the E15 sales from several retailers, as a percentage of their total gasoline sales, and how they vary depending on the product label:

Growth Energy undertook the challenge, utilizing a branding process employed by the likes of Johnson & Johnson and General Motors. Conducting a series of workshops with stakeholders— corn growers, ethanol producers, retailers—a general direction was determined. Three months of intense consumer research followed, during which 1,000 potential names were narrowed down to a short list. These names were then tested in focus groups.

• E15 – 3-4% • Unleaded 15 – 12-13% • Unleaded Plus – 33%

The consensus—not surprisingly— is that consumers are very sensitive to the product name. “As a group, Growth Energy realized they needed to work together to unify E15 branding,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of market development for Growth Energy. “The retailers determined that Prime the Pump* would take

And the winner is … eBlend, which stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Growth Energy has just finished field testing eBlend with Minnoco and is currently testing it at four Florida retail sites. Later this summer,

* Prime the Pump is an ethanol industry initiative created to help the early retail adopters of high-level ethanol blends by awarding grants to reduce their initial investment in infrastructure.

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testing continues with Kum & Go® in all of their Colorado Springs locations, where sales and consumer reaction will be tracked and assessed. After analyzing findings this fall, Growth Energy will determine a more unified promotional approach. Watch for eBlend at your local retailer.

It is projected that E15 will be available at 1,100 locations by the end of 2017. New to Prime the Pump this year: RaceTrac – 600+ retail sites from TX to FL QuikTrip – 600-700 retail sites Kwik Trip – 130 retail sites

Common Threads

Observations of a world well traveled

indy McCracken can still clearly picture elements from one of the defining moments of her life and career—a whiteboard and an impassioned example of crisis management. Together, they helped launch her on a professional journey that has taken her around the world and created an enthusiastic ambassador for ethanol. “I was always good at math and science in high school,” McCracken recalled. “My father was an engineer at a steel mill, and they had a Take Your Daughter to Work Day program. While I was visiting, a bit of a crisis arose. I was able to watch him at the whiteboard working through the best way to handle a quality

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

McCracken serves as the North America sales leader for fuel ethanol. McCracken noted that her greatest personal challenge is managing the demands of a dual-income family. Both she and husband Michael hold high-level management positions, so they work together to make career and family work. “Although both of us have made compromises along the way, we’ve both been able to have extremely successful careers as we’ve supported each other in reaching our goals.”

issue. I saw him very animated and filled with passion, and that brought engineering into the real world for me.” The Women in Engineering program at Purdue University offered a strong support system and brought further focus to her educational goals. McCracken earned a degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering with a focus in Food Processing and went to work in a corn milling plant that produced high-fructose corn syrup. “That’s where I was introduced to the corn milling process,” McCracken said.

Professional globe trotter As a global key account manager, McCracken has traveled to Turkey, Hungary, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. On a personal level, she and husband Michael have also traveled extensively. “It is always very interesting to learn about the cultures as I travel,” she said. “What’s the housing market like, how do they generate their income, how do they pay for their fuel? Wherever we go, you see the common threads of agriculture, energy, and tourism woven through the economy. It makes me thankful for our strong economy (continued next page)

Her work at the milling plant drew the attention of one of her suppliers, DuPont, and the company hired her as a technical service representative. McCracken visited customers and helped them with their technical challenges, forging strong relationships in the process. Thus, it was a natural transition for her to move into sales. “I loved working with customers, and what started as a U.S. role gradually moved into a global role,” she explained. Currently,

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(continued from previous page) and excellent transportation system, and the role U.S. agriculture plays in fostering that.” As Texas residents, the McCrackens live in the heart of big oil country. That doesn’t hinder her efforts to promote ethanol, and her advocacy starts at home.

Although her family of four often travels together, McCracken and her husband, Michael, take a trip together each year. “We try to pick a destination that is special, a bit adventurous, and somewhere we’ve never been before. Then we fill the trip with fun activities.” Their favorite destination? McCracken could only narrow it to two … and wanted to include a third: “The Galapagos Islands for the wildlife. We swam with penguins, iguanas, and sea turtles, saw sharks and tons of different bird species, and met some very friendly sea lions. The other was Greece. We went island hopping there, enjoyed perfect weather, and experienced so much culture and such great, friendly people.” “My family and friends all think I have a cool job, and I get to share what I do and be a voice for the importance of ethanol,” she noted. “My technical knowledge of ethanol allows me to educate my daughters, Courtney and Katelyn, as well as others, on how it is safe and good for the environment. Our transportation here in the U.S. is very affordable, and that’s only because we’re able to maintain our energy security … and ethanol is a part of that. “It’s important that my kids have clean energy, a clean environment, and energy security for their lifetime,” McCracken concluded. “I want them to have access to affordable energy and the same benefits we enjoy.”

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

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Need for Speed Fueled by Ethanol

aptitude for mechanics and a knack for problem-solving—two signature characteristics that have spelled success for Don Onken and the Onken family, both in business and in the highly competitive arena of powerboat racing. Onken grew up on a farm near Easton, Illinois. Always handy, after graduating from high school, he went to work as a mechanic and welder. He served in the Army from 1963 to 1965, and, after returning home, went to work for National Byproducts, ultimately becoming the fleet manager. It was there that inspiration first struck. “They picked up restaurant grease, and it had reached the point where they could not afford to run the routes with barrels anymore,” Onken recalled. “So, I designed and built a truck and container system that allowed one truck to do the work of five. We saw the need, built it, and sold it.” That was the start of Onken Incorporated, which grew into the leading manufacturer of grease recycling containers and trailers. Onken would later see a similar opportunity in oil filter recycling, once again becoming the leader in that market while

18 18

Why this life-long innovator made the switch

reclaiming steel and keeping 15,000 gallons of recyclable oil out of landfills each week.

Speed Gene

Onken’s mechanical aptitude has always had a speed component. “Before we got the business started, we’d spend all day working and all night in the shop building race cars,” Onken said. “That gave me basically two lifetimes of experience in one. That’s where I learned how things worked … and how they didn’t. I could usually figure out a better way to do things.” His racing lineage went from dirt tracks to drag racing to powerboats. He raced throughout the Great Lakes region until 1997, when a bad accident almost claimed his life. “My wife said I could only go in straight lines after that,” Onken said. “So, we started running the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.” Once again recognizing an opportunity to take a good thing and make it better, Onken began fueling his powerboat with E85 in 2013. “It cools the engine, which allows you to put more boost into it, which translates to more power,” he explained. “For every 10 degrees of heat you can take out, you get another 100 horsepower. It’s a very safe fuel,

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

and it’s renewable. It offers nothing but positives as a marine fuel.” His agricultural heritage is one reason Onken was happy to partner with Growth Energy when the association approached him about a sponsorship opportunity. “Growth Energy has been great to work with,” Onken noted. “They’re all farm-oriented people.” Farming remains a part of the Onken family, with Don’s brother and his son now running the farming operation. Onken appreciates the value ethanol brings to American agriculture. “When I was growing up on the farm, a lot of farmers barely made a living,” he recalled. “Without ethanol, they would be making a lot less right now. That’s another reason we’re loyal to the ethanol brand.” With four engines powered by E85, Onken’s boat tied the speed record for a piston-engine boat at the 2015 Shootout—208 mph—and took home the Top Gun title. The boat recorded a Top Gun repeat in 2016, this time with a top speed of 217 mph. “We couldn’t have done it without ethanol,” Onken stated. “After we took Top Gun for two years, we’re seeing a lot more boats moving to ethanol.”

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Photo courtesy of George Denny Photography

1919

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AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

Initial Reaction:

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the latest on the future of RFS and RVP? Q: There seems to be confusion in the media and marketplace regarding what will happen with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2022. Where is this confusion originating? A: Last May, a specific oil company was telling Capitol Hill lawmakers there was too much uncertainty in the policy, and they should be concerned about post-2022â&#x20AC;&#x201D;ethanol production could disappear. This is simply a scare tactic, attempting to force negotiations to reform the RFS now.

Q: What is really going to happen with the RFS in 2022? A: When Congress passed the RFS in 2007, it laid out a series of annual production targets for various biofuels. Those annual targets extend only through 2022, but that does not mean

According to the EPA, by 2022 the Renewable Fuel Standard will reduce carbon pollution by

138 metric tons. the RFS expires. Instead, the responsibility for maintaining the RFS and setting production targets passes from Congress to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Q: What criteria will the EPA use to set those targets? A: There are six basic criteria the EPA must consider, by law: 1) environmental impact, 2) energy security, 3) anticipated renewable fuel production levels, 4) fueling infrastructure capacity, 5) cost of fuel, and 6) rural economic development.

Q: Is it likely the RFS will cease to exist in 2022? A: Believing that the EPA will dramatically cut or eliminate the conventional portion of the RFS ignores political and economic reality. When you (continued next page)

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor; Brooke Coleman, Advanced Biofuels Business Council (ABBC); and Mike Lorenz, Sheetz, at the legislative hearing on S. 517, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

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(continued from previous page) examine the six EPA criteria, it is difficult to envision a scenario where it would go backwards with this program—particularly when Congress created a very specific roadmap for the program’s continuation after 2022. Dramatic changes would also create serious political repercussions from Corn Belt states.

Q: What is the future of the RFS? A: You have an excellent base built in conventional corn ethanol. We now see an industry growing in other ways—corn kernel fiber, the use of corn oil for biodiesel, and developing technologies to use corn stover, municipal solid waste, and woody biomass for ethanol production. The first generation has done a remarkable job of creating a clean, lower-carbonenergy vehicle fuel. A strong RFS encourages the development of the next generation of energyproducing technologies and processes.

Q: Moving now from RFS to RVP — in simple terms, what is RVP? A: RVP stands for Reid vapor pressure, which is a measurement of how quickly a fuel evaporates.

Q: How does RVP impact the ethanol industry? A: In 1990, Congress restricted the amount of RVP emissions you could have at 9 pounds per square inch (psi). Because ethanol fuels have a different type of profile than a petroleum-based fuel, they allowed that number to go up to 10 psi. Congress did not intend for this to be a market limitation, restricting the ethanol component of fuels to 10 percent. At that point, no one was envisioning a 15-percent ethanol blend.

Q: What is Growth Energy trying to accomplish regarding the current RVP restriction? A: The two issues that the original legislation addressed were particulate matter tailpipe emissions and haze caused by gasoline evaporation—both major contributors to smog. Ethanol addresses both, first by reducing tailpipe emissions and, second, when it does evaporate, it does not contribute to ozone pollution. We are working to change just two words in the law to allow summer blends to include 10 percent “or more” ethanol.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor and Sheels EVP of Fuels Mike Lorenz with legislators at the legislative hearing on S. 517, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Q: Why is this important? A: Under the current law, from June 1 to Sept. 15, you have to sell E15 differently than any other fuel in the marketplace. So, you have a lower cost fuel that improves environmental and engine performance, but, because of a technicality, it can’t be sold during the peak summer driving months. For retailers, this creates uncertainty and confusion for those selling this fuel. All E15 pumps must be relabeled twice a year. Consumers are confused when fuel disappears for several months annually.

Q: How is Growth Energy addressing the issue? A: In the past, we tried to work with the EPA to address the issue. More recently, we’ve asked Congress to help. The first bill was introduced in 2015, and a second in March 2017. We’ve coordinated discussion among lawmakers and E15 retailers, most impacted by this issue. While ethanol producers will benefit from an unfettered marketplace, retailers are the ones unable to sell the product—a market hurdle not based on any reasonable expectation of negative consequences. In every meeting we’ve held—more than 1,000 over the past two years—our approach is to position the RVP issue in front of retailers, Growth Energy members, and legislators so they understand its importance.

Q: What can consumers do? A: Contact their representatives and urge them to pass this legislation promptly. Let them know you want to have year-round access to this clean, lower-cost fuel. We’ve made it easy to do. Just go to growthenergy. org/rvp. AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

Our Secret Ingredient is You

Yes, our enzymatic components are incredibly effective at maximizing your operation’s efficiency and output. And yes, we’re known for providing the best, most responsive customer support in the industry. But we wouldn’t be CTE Global without you. Your high expectations and unique requirements—and your willingness to entrust them to us—are what make us better every day at what we do. So keep telling us what you need in order to thrive. And we’ll keep listening.

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Fermentation Innovation Running on Empty?

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AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

“Drivers, Start Your Engines” by Austin Broin The American Ethanol E15 250 held at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on June 24 was a notable success for the U.S. ethanol industry. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, served as grand marshal and gave the famous “Drivers, Start Your Engines” call. Brendan Gaughan of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) competed in the red Kum & Go/American Ethanol/ E15 No. 62 car, and finished 24th in the XFINITY Series race. Iowa State University engineering students interested in renewable energy were on hand and toured the No. 62 hauler. Along with Gaughan and Skor, RCR XFINITY Trackside Manager Danny Lawrence, discussed with them the benefits of E15 on and off the track. These students are members of a club building a solar powered car expected to race up the east coast of Australia next summer.

NASCAR racers Before the race, a press panel have run more than including Gaughan and Skor, along with Enogen’s Ron 10 million miles Wulfkuhle and Kum & Go’s Jim on Sunoco Green Pirolli, discussed how American E15 Ethanol and E15 positively impacts so many—from the seed company (Enogen) to the driver (Gaughan) and everyone in between. Gaughan explained the benefits of higher ethanol blends for NASCAR drivers, mechanics, and employees, as well as for the daily driver. Skor participated in radio interviews with AgWeb, KMA Radio, and Motor Racing Network Radio, and communicated the importance of E15 to engine performance, the environment, and the consumer’s pocket book.

Above left: Brendan Gaughan during qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway on June 24, in Newton, Iowa. (Photo courtesy of NASCAR) Above: Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor poses with William Byron, driver of the #9 AXALTA/WINDSORWindow&Door Chevrolet, after Byron won the NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250. (HHP/Andrew Coppley) Left: (From l to r) Enogen’s Ron Wulfkuhle, Growth Energy’s Emily Skor, Kum & Go’s Jim Pirolli, and RCR No. 62 driver Brendan Gaughan at a press conference in the media center at Iowa Speedway.

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MINI CORN AND CHEESE FRITTATAS INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 can (15.25 oz) wholekernel corn, drained

Preheat oven to 350°.

• 3 oz cream cheese, cut into small pieces • 3/4 cup sliced green onions • 8 eggs • 1/3 cup milk • 1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper • 3 oz (3/4 cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Coat a 12-cup non-stick muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray, and spoon equal amounts of corn, cream cheese, and onion into each muffin cup. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper; then pour egg mixture equally into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until puffed—and a knife, when inserted in center of a middle-row frittata, comes out clean. Remove from oven, sprinkle each with 1 tbsp. cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before removing from pan. Serve warm.

AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE

Multiply your productivity...naturally! BetaTec® natural hop extracts are the perfect formula for healthy ethanol proﬁts. They work in your fermentation system to replace chemical antibiotics and enhance yeast propagation. IsoStab®

is the natural way to eﬀectively control gram-positive bacteria, while eliminating antibiotics and harsh chemicals. And your DDGs will be antibiotic free!

VitaHop® Silver

yeast nutrient enhances yeast performance and vitality, inducing faster fermentations and larger yields.

It all adds up to healthier proﬁts. Let us demonstrate how BetaTec’s fermentation expertise and naturally-derived technologies can maximize your productivity…naturally. To learn more, visit betatec.com

5185 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 300 Washington, DC 20016-3341

T: 202-777-4827 F: 202-777-4895 betatec.com

701 8th St NW Suite 450 Washington, D.C. 20001

IN MEMORIAM We mourn the tragic loss of our close friend and partner Keith Holmes, who was killed July 30th in a crash during the St. Clair River Classic offshore powerboat race in Michigan. The owner of CK Motorsports and throttleman of the American Ethanol Cat Can Do Catamaran, Holmes was considered one of the world’s premier offshore powerboat racers. He will be missed dearly.

HOL M TH

Driving to the Moon R E

Motorists log 1 billion miles on E15 T

I N

P E

across the United States have logged more than 1 billion miles on E15– H O Lto the fuel’s performance, attesting M TH safety, and value.

of today’s new cars.

How do you visualize 1 billion miles? You could picture 333,333 families driving from New York City to Los Angeles. Perhaps, circling the equator 40,202 times works. Or, if space travel is more your thing, consider 4,185 trips to the moon.

three-quarters

Automakers approve E15 for use in nearly

R E

“American drivers are taking advantage of the proven performance and environmental S A provides,” said Growth Tbenefits E15 Any way you picture it, it’s a lot of I N P E miles. That’s the significant milestone Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re proud to celebrate this milestone that E15–a fuel containing 15 percent and highlight the value E15 delivers ethanol and 85 percent gasoline– in terms of better performance, has reached. According to Growth Energy’s ongoing assessment of sales and consumption data reported by major gasoline retailers, drivers

reduction of toxic emissions, and savings at the pump. Today, E15 is sold in nearly 900 retail stores across 29 states, and its availability is growing each day because 21stcentury drivers are demanding 21stcentury fuels.” E15 works well for any vehicle manufactured since 2001. Automakers approve E15 for use in nearly three-quarters of new cars, and the Environmental Protection Agency approves its use in 9 out of 10 cars on the road today.