Illinois and neighboring states granted emergency federal fuel waiver from EPA; Illinois corn farmers will provide the needed fuel through ethanol production SPRINGFIELD — Governor Pritzker announced today that his administration has taken steps to proactively address a shutdown at a BP facility in Whiting, Indiana caused by an electrical fire. Illinois, along with Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, requested and were granted an emergency waiver of federal fuel regulations from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “After learning of the electrical fire at the BP facility in Whiting, our administration has taken proactive steps to increase gas supply and reduce barriers so all Illinoisans have access to the fuel they need,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This coordinated effort with our neighboring states will reduce the chance of disruptions and keep the people and businesses of Illinois moving.” The temporary waiver, which was granted through September 15, 2022, allows for high volatility gasoline to be sold during the summer months, reducing fuel disruptions following the fire which broke out on August 24. The waiver also means that Illinois corn farmers will provide the needed fuel through their ethanol production, which is a lower emission alternative to gasoline produced without ethanol. “The Illinois agricultural and ethanol industries are poised to help motorists maintain a steady supply of liquid fuel in the face of the tragic burning of the BP refinery in Whiting, IN. Because locally grown and produced biofuels can displace a large percentage of petroleum fuel, motorists can feel confident that they are not only purchasing an available, safe, high-quality fuel, but also that they are saving money at the pump and cleaning the air when they drive. Ethanol has 40-45 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline without ethanol, making this interim change to include more biofuels in our fuel supply a positive one for the environment. Illinois corn farmers hope Midwest consumers will be pleased at the price and the emissions when they fill up with E15 fuel,” said Marty Marr, President of the IL Corn Growers Association. The Whiting BP facility produces 430,000 barrels-per-day and provides fuel to neighboring states. No deaths or injuries were reported and the fire was successfully extinguished, but damage to the facility led to the partial shutdown. “Illinois EPA has worked closely with our federal and state partners to minimize impacts from the temporary shutdown of the bp Whiting refinery,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim . “U.S. EPA’s approval of Governor Pritzker’s request for an emergency fuel waiver will help prevent major disruption to regional fuel supplies while still protecting the health and safety of Illinois residents.” “BP is keeping us informed on their restart process as they safely protect their crews, responders, and the public,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau . “We will continue to work with our local and state agencies to monitor the impacts.”
Three of our Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) members ended their term on July 31st. We said thank you and not goodbye to them and are now starting to welcome three new board members: Steve Fourez, District 6 [Champaign, Ford, Iroquis and Vermillion Counties] Terry G. Smith, District 9 [Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike and Schuyler Counties] Daniel P. Meyer, District 12 [ Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar and Jasper Counties] Over the next couple of weeks we will get to know them a bit better.
Three of our Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) members ended their term on July 31st. We said thank you and not goodbye to them and are now starting to welcome three new board members: Steve Fourez, District 6 [Champaign, Ford, Iroquis and Vermillion Counties] Terry G. Smith, District 9 [Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike and Schuyler Counties] Daniel P. Meyer, District 12 [ Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar and Jasper Counties] Over the next couple of weeks we will get to know them a bit better. Here's a little bit about Steve Fourez:
Farming is a constantly evolving practice, and technology within the industry has always been an integral part of a farmer’s success. The technology available to farmers today has allowed us to reach yields that would have been unimaginable even less than 80 years ago. This in turn has also created a system in which agriculture is focused primarily on efficiency and perfecting all components of the field from utilizing the microbials in the soil to implementing aerial imagery. From this increased focus on sustainability, product maximization, and loss prevention, innovators have taken the opportunity to capitalize and create new technology to push agriculture even further ahead. Drones, autonomous vehicles, sensors (both soil and above canopy), biologicals, and weather stations are becoming the new face of that little red barn, white fence picture perfect farm. AgVance, Arable, and EarthSense are just a few of the companies that have decided to take part in revolutionizing the future of agriculture, all with the common goal of producing more with less.
What is Unleaded 88? 87? What's all this about E15? Many people are still confused about what's in their gas and myths still run wild throughout the world on ethanol. IL Corn works hard to debunk myths and provide some education around gas. Here's one way we are doing that: A new advertising campaign targeted to younger Chicago consumers touts the benefits of Unleaded 88/E15, including being better for your engine, your wallet and our planet. Ads will run on radio stations during morning and afternoon drive time and weather reports, on the popular GasBuddy app, streaming TV services and on social media channels including YouTube and Facebook throughout August. An updated website landing page provides consumers additional information and clears up any confusion about the plant-based fuel compared to traditional gasoline.
