MN Bio-Fuels Receives National Award For Expanding Access To E15

Picture caption: (from left to right) ACE's Chief Marketing Officer, Ron Lamberty, presenting the 2026 Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award to MN Bio-Fuels Executive Director, Brian Werner. Photo credit: Energy.AgWired.

American Coalition for Ethanol recognizes MN Bio-Fuels with 2026 Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award

Burnsville, Aug 24 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) received the 2026 Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), recognizing the association's work to expand access to E15 (Unleaded 88) and higher ethanol blends across Minnesota.

MN Bio-Fuels Executive Director Brian Werner accepted the award on Aug. 21 at the ACE Biofuel Conference in Minneapolis. Prior to accepting the award, Werner delivered a presentation on Minnesota's progress in expanding E15 access through policy advocacy, market development, consumer education and partnerships with fuel retailers.

In his remarks, Werner credited the award to years of work building relationships with retail station owners, equipment suppliers, policymakers and industry partners to help make E15 more available across the state.

"The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is honored to receive this recognition from ACE because it reflects the work happening on the ground every day to expand access to E15," said Werner. "Minnesota's growth has not happened by accident. It has taken years of relationship building with retailers, technical assistance, consumer education, pump promotions, data collection and strong partnerships across the ethanol industry. Greg Gust and our team have spent years pounding the pavement to help retailers successfully offer E15 and give drivers access to a lower-cost, homegrown fuel option. Minnesota has become a national leader in E15 growth, and we are committed to continuing that work."

In 2015, Minnesota had 84 E15 retailers and 3.1 million gallons of E15 sold. Last year, the state reached 544 retailers and 144.5 million gallons sold. Minnesota has also achieved five consecutive years of record E15 sales and now has more than 550 stations offering E15 statewide.

The Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award was established in memory of Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana, whose leadership helped unite the ethanol industry and elevate ethanol's profile in motorsports nationwide. The award recognizes individuals, companies or organizations that demonstrate leadership in expanding consumer access to higher ethanol blends.

ACE selected MN Bio-Fuels for its ongoing leadership in growing ethanol demand and expanding access to higher ethanol blends. The organization highlighted MN Bio-Fuels' work on infrastructure and program funding, Unleaded 88 pump promotions, consumer education, pro-biofuel policy advocacy, and organizing congressional visits to ethanol plants.

"In addition to helping retailers get infrastructure grants and other funding to offer higher ethanol blends, the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association followed up with those retailers and partnered with them to introduce E15 to consumers through Unleaded 88 pump promotions - going out to stations to showcase E15's low cost and provide information that gives drivers confidence in the new fuel and reinforces station owners' decision to offer it. Minnesota has nearly doubled its E15 sales in the past five years, and the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association's promotional partnership with retailers is a big part of the reason why," said Ron Lamberty, Chief Marketing Officer at ACE.

E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88, is a gasoline blend made with 15% ethanol and is approved for use in all light-duty vehicles model year 2001 and newer. Werner noted in his remarks that MN Bio-Fuels' consumer education work has focused on helping drivers understand that E15 is EPA-approved for most vehicles on the road today, is more affordable than regular gasoline and can help consumers save at the pump.

Listen to Werner's Interview With Energy.AgWired On The Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award

Listen to Werner's remarks at the Fueling Freedom : Retailer Panel at the ACE Biofuel Conference from Energy.AgWired