LINCOLN, Neb. – Everyone is at risk of inhaling toxic chemicals, known as aromatics, used for octane in gasoline. These carcinogens make up 25% of a gallon of gas. Drivers face exposure at the pump, from vehicle exhaust, and when aromatics are released as greenhouse gases. Ethanol is a natural, plant-based octane booster used to displace some of these chemicals that have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies these chemicals as toxic air pollutants known to cause health issues. According to the EPA, ethanol’s high-octane value allows oil refiners to reduce aromatic content by at least 5%. That percentage would significantly improve with the use of higher blends of ethanol, like E15 and E30.

Throughout October, Fuel the Cure educates Nebraskans about healthier fuel options while supporting cancer research and services. Here’s how to get involved:

At the Pump
Raise money for breast cancer research by filling up with higher blends of ethanol – E15 to flex fuel E85 – at participating locations. Nearly 50 Nebraska gas stations will donate 3 cents for every gallon of higher ethanol blends sold between Oct. 1­‑31 to support cancer research and services at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha. Since 2018, Nebraska’s Fuel the Cure campaigns have raised nearly $30,000 for cancer research. Find a list of participants at www.fueledbynebraska.com/pink. Drivers will be able to identify which retailers are supporting this important cause by looking for pink signage at the pump, on the windows and at the counter.

In the Community
Fuel the Cure is proud to partner with the American Cancer Society for its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Oct. 16 at Holmes Lake Park. As a platinum sponsor, Fuel the Cure will have a booth to educate cancer survivors, thrivers, friends, and family about healthier fuel options. Fuel the Cure will also participate in the walk. Join our team! Already attending? Be sure to stop by the sponsor booth for giveaways, coupons, and drawings for ethanol gift cards. The American Cancer Society is fighting cancer in many ways. From funding breakthrough research for new cures, treatments, and ways to prevent cancer, to providing patient programs and services, to advocating for policy change.

Cancer treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all
“Cancer touches the lives of nearly everyone in some way,” said Kenneth H. Cowan, MD, PhD, director and physician-in-chief at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “We appreciate that Nebraska fuel retailers are joining forces to empower drivers to support cancer research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which provides lifesaving care to people throughout our state. Through generous contributions, such as the Fuel the Cure campaign, we are able to fund researchers working on new treatments each and every day.”

Jenn Klein of Lincoln was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Her cancer cells were growing and dividing very rapidly – at a rate of about 80%. Lifesaving treatment was needed right away. She completed 20 weeks of chemotherapy, received multiple blood and platelets transfusions, underwent a four-hour procedure that included a port removal, sentinel node biopsy, double mastectomy, and immediate one-step reconstruction, and endured 33 sessions of radiation. By the end of 2015, Klein was finally cancer free. If it wasn’t for a chemotherapy treatment that was discovered by a funded researcher, Klein might not be alive.

What ethanol blend is right for my vehicle?

E15 (15% ethanol and 85% gasoline), also called Unleaded88, is approved for use in all passenger vehicles 2001 and newer. Ethanol blends higher than 15% are approved for use in flex fuel vehicles. One in seven Nebraskans drive a flex fuel vehicle, which can run on any blend of ethanol up to E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). Drivers can check their owners’ manuals to see if they’re driving flex fuel vehicles. The vehicles may also have a flex fuel badge on the trunk or tailgate — or a yellow gas cap. If you are unsure, visit fueledbynebraska.co for even more information about the benefits of using ethanol.

The Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Ethanol Board, and Renewable Fuels Nebraska sponsor Fuel the Cure in conjunction with retail stations.

Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. will be the featured speaker for the upcoming Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting, Monday, Sept. 12 in Grand Island. Bluestem Biosciences, a renewable chemicals company headquartered in Omaha, is focused on the sustainable bio-production of chemicals through anaerobic fermentation with an identified path toward industrial scale. Its overall mission is to diversify and decarbonize the chemical industry. Bluestem recently completed its $5,000,000 pre-seed financing and the formation of its Strategic Advisory Board. 

“At Bluestem we are designing novel biology to transform agriculture and ethanol infrastructure,” said Billy Hagstrom, CEO and co-founder. “We believe anaerobic fermentation has numerous advantages, and the emergent tools of synthetic biology will allow us to execute on our vision to create chemical from organisms, not oil.”

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will meet in Grand Island at 10 a.m. at Bosselman Enterprises’ conference room at 1607 S. Locust Street. The agenda is as follows:

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of June 8, 2022, Board Meeting Minutes
4. Public Opportunity for Questions, Comments or Concerns
5. Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. presentation
6. Husker Motorsports presentation
7. Budget Report
8. Fuel Retailer Update
9. Nebraska Corn Board Update
10. Renewable Fuels Nebraska Update
11. Working Lunch
12. Technical & Research Updates
13. Marketing Programs
14. Dues & Subscriptions
15. Approval of Contracts
16. Funding Requests
17. State and Federal Legislation
18. Ethanol Plant Reports
19. Chair’s Report
20. Administrator’s Report
21. Travel Reports and Authorization
22. Personnel
23. Executive Session
24. Next Meeting Date
25. Adjourn

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature.

Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings are open to the public and also published on the public calendar.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.

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For Immediate Release
Aug. 3, 2022               

For More Information Contact:
Reid Wagner, Nebraska Ethanol Board
402-471-2941 | Reid.Wagner@nebraska.gov

Alex Reuss, Governor’s Office
402-471-1970 | Alex.Reuss@nebraska.gov

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts invited retailers who sell higher ethanol blends of fuel to apply for tax credits made available through the passage of Legislative Bill (LB) 1261e. Gov. Ricketts signed the bill into law this spring after it was passed unanimously by the Nebraska Legislature. 
 
The Nebraska Department of Revenue is administering the program and began applications for the credits on Mon., Aug. 1.  For more information or to apply, visit ethanol.nebraska.gov/resources/nebraska-higher-blend-tax-credit-act.
 
“Utilizing ethanol should be a centerpiece of our national strategy to lower gas prices,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Ethanol saves drivers money at the pump, is better for the environment, and creates opportunities for farm families here in Nebraska. As a state, we’re doing our part to grow U.S. energy production by encouraging sales of renewable fuel.”

 
In Nebraska, E85 is available at 124 fueling stations. E15 is available at 112 fueling stations, and that number continues to grow. 
 
“At the retail level, very simply put, E15 is better fuel and it costs less,” said Randy Gard, chief operating officer of Bosselman Enterprises and secretary of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “We are excited about the passage of LB1261e and what it can do for our customers. If you are a retailer, there is now nothing standing in your way today to make the transition from E10, the standard fuel most people use today, to joining this mass conversion to E15. There are incentives with LB1261e, there’s consumer demand, there are certainly price pressures, and increased availability at the terminals. This is a win for everybody…retailers, legislators, farmers and ranchers, and especially users of ethanol who support Nebraska’s economy, help the environment, and save money every time they fill up.”
 
Bosselman Enterprises, located in Grand Island, was an early adopter of E15 at many of its Pump and Pantry locations across the state. They continue to see double digit sales growth for E15 every year.
 
By selling a 10% blend at the pump, fuel retailers are already helping Nebraskans save at least $275 million per year. That savings increases when higher blends are figured in.
 
“Right now, for some, choosing ethanol is what’s helping them budget for groceries and pay other bills,” said Reid Wagner, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board.  “While there are many other benefits of the fuel, the cost savings are what has motivated the government to make real changes quickly. The Biden Administration continues to allow E15 to be used throughout the summer, and now, the Nebraska legislature is rewarding retailers for providing healthier, lower cost fuel options for their constituents. We know the continued relief ethanol provides economically and environmentally and will continue sharing that message until higher ethanol blends are easily accessible to everyone.”
 
Choose Ethanol, Save Money
 
E15, a blend of gasoline and 15% ethanol, is safe and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use in vehicles 2001 or newer, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs), and all flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). Flex fuel vehicles can use the highest ethanol blends, up to E85.

• When you choose E10, expect a $.40 to $.50 savings per gallon versus ethanol-free fuel options.
• E15 can provide up to an additional $.10 savings per gallon.
• If you have a flex fuel vehicle, you will likely save $1 or more per gallon when you choose E85.

 To find locations where ethanol is sold, visit fueledbynebraska.com.
 
Interested in Selling High Ethanol Blends?
 
Over 96% of the cars, trucks and SUVs on the road today are legally approved to run on E15. E15 has both a higher-octane rating and costs less than regular unleaded due to its higher ethanol content. This gives retailers a lower-priced, higher-octane fuel they can market to consumers.
 
Retailers who would like more information about selling higher blends of ethanol can reach out to the Nebraska Ethanol Board at 402-471-2941 or visit the resources tab at ethanol.nebraska.gov. Funding for infrastructure is also available. Find details at ethanol.nebraska.gov/resources/incentive-programs.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit ethanol.nebraska.gov.

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Summary courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Nebraska ethanol industry produced over 2.25 billion gallons in 2019, resulting in a value of production for ethanol and co-products of greater than $4.04 billion, according to a new University of Nebraska–Lincoln study estimating the industry’s impact in 2018 and 2019. The overall economic impact of the Nebraska ethanol industry is over $4.5 billion.

Gallons produced and value of production in 2019 both increased over 2017, the year of the previous report, when the state produced over 2.07 billion gallons of ethanol, valued at $3.76 billion.

“Nebraska’s ethanol industry remains an important market in Nebraska, trailing only corn and cattle,” said Kate Brooks, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and a co-author of the study. “While the industry experienced weakened ethanol prices in 2018 and 2019, it has shown resilience through continued expansion in total capacity and diversification of co-products.”

According to the study, Nebraska continues to rank as the second-largest ethanol-producing state in the nation. The overall value of ethanol and ethanol co-products averages 64% of corn production, 33% of cattle production and 131% of soybean production, making ethanol the third-largest agricultural industry in the state.

From 2010 to 2014, the ethanol industry employed 1,301 full-time employees, rising to 1,453 employees from 2015-2017. These jobs led to primary employee income of $71 million from 2010 to 2014 and $97 million from 2015 to 2017. In 2018 and 2019, the industry employed 1,460 full-time equivalents, leading to a labor income of $125 million and $13 million in indirect business taxes. Proprietors’ income tells a different story, as producer income averaged $34 million from 2010 to 2014 and only $11 million annually from 2015 to 2017, which were primarily caused by lower prices. The estimated proprietors’ income for 2018 to 2019 was $12 million.

“Comparing the two most recent reports shows a trend toward stability in ethanol production,” Brooks said, noting that the latest data shows growth in ethanol co-product markets, for products like dried, wet and modified distillers’ grains and corn oil. The industry continues to expand beyond these traditional co-products, taking advantage of new market opportunities.

Almost all of Nebraska’s ethanol and about half the state’s dried distillers’ grain and corn oil production are exported, meaning most production results in a net positive impact for the state. The sales outside of Nebraska represent a direct economic impact, bringing new money into Nebraska’s economy.

The study’s results also suggest a positive impact on local corn cash prices, with an average increase of about 21.3 cents per bushel in the immediate areas near ethanol production facilities. A grower near an ethanol facility producing 220 bushels of corn per acre could receive, on average, an additional $46.86 per acre. Producers farther from ethanol plants face higher transportation costs and would net a smaller amount.

The report was produced by the Department of Agricultural Economics at Nebraska, in partnership with the Nebraska Ethanol Board. It is available here.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will meet in Lincoln at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 8. The meeting will be at Hyatt Place (600 Q Street) in meeting rooms I-III. The agenda is as follows:

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Feb. 28, 2022, Board Meeting Minutes
4. Public Opportunity for Questions, Comments or Concerns
5. Budget Report & Budget Planning Fiscal Year 2022-23
6. Fuel Retailer Update
7. Nebraska Corn Board Update
8. Renewable Fuels Nebraska Update
9. Technical & Research Updates
10. Marketing Programs
11. Approval of Contracts
12. Funding Requests
13. NEB-hosted Conferences & Events
14. Working Lunch
15. State and Federal Legislation
16. Ethanol Plant Reports
17. Chair’s Report
18. Administrator’s Report
19. Travel Reports and Authorization
20. Personnel
21. Executive Session
22. Next Meeting Date
23. Adjourn

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature.

Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings are open to the public and also published on the public calendar.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.

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