Ethanol Industry Pushing State Lawmakers For Change

Apr 24, 2015

By Allison Warren

Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds toured the Quad County Corn Processors’ Cellulosic Ethanol facility. They were excited to see the technology and what it could do for the industry, but are frustrated with the EPA and the pending decision regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“We’re very skeptical because the EPA has failed to do its duty and continue to promote renewable fuels, which is important to reducing pollution, reducing our dependency on foreign oil and growing jobs in Iowa,” Governor Branstad tells ABC9 News.

Developing technology at cellulosic ethanol facilities like this one could provide as much as and additional two billion gallons of ethanol, without using more corn.

While the main focus of the tour was the technology and the concerns with the renewable fuel standard, the ethanol industry as a whole is hoping to direct state lawmakers attention to another big issue.
Earlier this month the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against roughly 20 ethanol and biodiesel plants, and upheld a complicated system used to tax natural gas usage.

“The Supreme court ruling is talking about a legal issue, not necessarily about whether it’s good legislation,” says CEO of Quad County Corn Processors Delayne Johnson.
A 1998 replacement tax law on natural gas lines assesses users at a higher rate than some competitors. Quad County Corn Processors CEO Delayne Johnson says this is hurting business, and the ethanol industy is now taking things up with state lawmakers.
“We’re not as competetive as other plants on lines that may have been grandfathered or are on a large part of the interstate system,” Johnson says.

“My understanding is this is an issue that they basically grandfathered in the ones that were in existence before a certain date, but those new plants that have been built since then don’t get the same treatment. That doesn’t really seem fair,” Governor Branstad adds.

Ethanol plants say they don’t want to take money from the county or state government, and believe lawmakers could find a solution so no revenue would be lost.

Click here to see more...

Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute