Growth Energy Welcomes Four New Associate Members in December

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Growth Energy, the nation’s largest trade association for U.S. ethanol producers and supporters, announced they welcomed four new associate members this week: Catahoula Resources, Proteum Energy, Vitol, and Wolf Carbon Solutions. Growth Energy’s membership now includes 92 plant members and 93 associate members.

“Each of our new members brings different, but valuable, expertise to our ever-growing Growth Energy team,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “From carbon capture to commodities trading, Catahoula Resources, Proteum Energy, Vitol, and Wolf Carbon Solutions all have incredible perspectives to offer the biofuels industry and will strengthen our efforts to make biofuels a leading solution in achieving our nation’s climate goals. We’re pleased to welcome them aboard as we head into a new year.”

“We are excited to be a part of Growth Energy and their mission to bring bioethanol to the forefront as an energy transition solution,” said Jeff Rawls, CEO of Catahoula Resources. “We are equally excited to work with Growth’s membership in lowering their carbon footprint.”

“We are very excited to support development of hydrogen fueling strategies from ethanol, as a partner in service to the members of this extraordinary trade association,” said Larry Tree, President and CEO of Proteum Energy, LLC.

“We are excited to be a part of Growth Energy,” said Curtis Knobbe, Head of Biofuels of Vitol, Inc. “As well as having an active role in biofuel blending, Vitol is a marketer of both ethanol and biodiesel. The years ahead will bring more low carbon intensive fuels and we envisage US biofuels playing an important role in this growth.”

“Wolf Carbon Solutions is pleased to join Growth Energy, the leading ethanol trade organization in the US,” said Wolf Carbon Solutions Advisor Nick Noppinger. “Wolf is actively developing a large-scale carbon capture and sequestration system to support the ethanol industry in the Midwest. We look forward to a long-standing, valuable relationship with Growth Energy that will enhance our project development efforts.”


Chief Industries, Inc. and Catahoula Resources Announce Agreement to Advance Carbon Capture and Sequestration in Nebraska

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska and Houston, Texas (June 9, 2021)—Chief Industries, Inc. (“Chief”)  and Catahoula Resources (“Catahoula”) have entered into an agreement to  jointly develop carbon capture and permanent sequestration (“CCS”) within Nebraska.

Chief Industries Logo

Through this arrangement, Chief Ethanol, a division of Chief Industries, Inc. based in Hastings, NE, joins forces with Catahoula, a portfolio company of private investment firm The Energy and Minerals Group (“EMG”), one of the largest investors in midstream infrastructure in North America and a proven leader in identifying, developing and executing world-class design/build/operate capabilities for midstream assets.

Catahoula and Chief are currently evaluating CCS infrastructure investments that will enhance the sustainability and improve the economics of ethanol production through low-cost carbon storage within Nebraska.  Work has already begun to evaluate favorable storage geology through Catahoula’s joint development arrangement with Battelle.

“The passage of LB650 shows that Nebraska is serious about our global environment.  Allowing for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide will truly benefit the citizens and industries within our state” said Chief Industries, Inc. CEO, DJ Eihusen. “Chief is excited to be teaming up with a group such as Catahoula.  Their expertise and knowledge in this space leaves us encouraged that Chief Industries, Inc. will continue to provide a lasting and positive environmental impact.”

“We see Nebraska’s forward-thinking support of carbon dioxide sequestration as a springboard for differentiating the Nebraska’s ethanol industry and we are excited to expand upon this vision by aligning with Chief--a strong, deeply rooted, family-owned company.  The use of proven carbon capture infrastructure targeting nearby, low-cost storage is a compelling plan for investment in the local economies of Nebraska” said Jeff Rawls, CEO of Catahoula Resources.

About Chief

Chief Industries, Inc. is a multi-faceted, family-owned company with corporate offices in Grand Island, NE. They have many divisions and subsidiaries located around the globe including construction, electrical contracting, metal building systems and structural steel, agricultural and grain storage facilities, a truck fleet, contract manufacturing, prefabricated homes, and ethanol. For additional information, please visit www.chiefind.com or contact Beth Frerichs at beth.frerichs@chiefind.com

About Catahoula Resources

Catahoula’s leadership team has more than 150 years of midstream experience with proven success identifying, developing and executing world class design-build-operate midstream assets. Bringing extensive CO2 technical, operations, project execution and commercial experience with a commitment to safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship Catahoula is focused on providing customer solutions and partnering with industrial participants. For additional information, please visit www.CatahoulaResources.com.

About The Energy & Minerals Group

EMG is a private investment firm with Regulatory Assets Under Management of approximately $12 billion. EMG targets equity investments of $150 million to $1 billion in the energy and minerals sectors with talented, experienced management teams, focused on hard assets that are integral to existing and growing markets. For additional information, please visit www.emgtx.com.


Battelle and Catahoula Resources Forge Partnership to Accelerate Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

COLUMBUS, Ohio and Houston, Texas (May 25, 2021)—Battelle and Catahoula Resources (“Catahoula”) will jointly develop solutions for the capture, transport and sequestration of carbon dioxide produced at ethanol facilities in Nebraska.

The agreement pairs the world’s largest private independent research and development company with a portfolio company of private investment firm The Energy and Minerals Group (“EMG”), one of the largest investors in midstream infrastructure in North America and a proven leader in identifying, developing and executing world-class design/build/operate capabilities for midstream assets.

Studies have shown that many Nebraska ethanol producers can benefit from nearby low-cost storage options, eliminating added pipeline expenses or the uncertainty in delivering CO2 to out-of-state storage networks. Catahoula and Battelle plan to design and build multiple low-cost storage options either onsite or close to existing ethanol plants where the geology proves to be favorable.

“Battelle has a long history in geologic carbon sequestration and views it as a technology to make a real difference in mitigating CO2 emissions,” said Matt Vaughan, Executive Vice President of Contract Research at Battelle. “Catahoula’s ability to move quickly and deliver large energy projects cost effectively fits well with Battelle’s technical expertise and ability to minimize and manage long term subsurface storage risk through the injection phase and until closure.”

Battelle has hundreds of professionals with expertise in areas such as subsurface engineering, geoscience, process engineering, pipeline integrity, systems controls, safety, environment and policy. Amongst this diverse, technical resource pool, Battelle employs the largest dedicated-carbon-storage-specific team in the industry. These experts are seamlessly integrated into project teams using controls and quality management systems to ensure efficient and effective CCUS services in projects of any size and complexity.

“The dedication of Battelle to geologic sequestration aligns with our vision to develop the capture, transportation and permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide emissions all within the state of Nebraska, benefiting the ethanol and agricultural industry,” said Jeff Rawls, CEO of Catahoula Resources. “Catahoula’s leadership team has a track record of unlocking geological opportunities for its producer customers via strategically located greenfield midstream development opportunities and we are excited to put our 150 plus years of midstream and CO2 experience to work.”

“Nebraska’s natural environment ranks among the best in the nation, and we’re continuously innovating to improve the quality of our air and water,” said Governor Pete Ricketts.  “The partnership between Battelle and Catahoula Resources to sequester carbon dioxide will create more opportunities for our ethanol industry by reducing its carbon footprint.  The companies’ combined expertise will support Nebraska’s ethanol plants as they continue to be responsible stewards of our natural world.”

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

Contact

For more information contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or at delaneyk@battelle.org or contact T.R. Massey at (614) 424-5544 or at masseytr@battelle.org.

About Catahoula Resources

Catahoula’s leadership team has more than 150 years of midstream experience with proven success identifying, developing and executing world class design-build-operate midstream assets. Bringing extensive CO2 technical, operations, project execution and commercial experience with a commitment to safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship Catahoula is focused on providing customer solutions and partnering with industrial participants. For additional information, please visit www.CatahoulaResources.com.

About The Energy & Minerals Group

EMG is a private investment firm with Regulatory Assets Under Management of approximately $12 billion. EMG targets equity investments of $150 million to $1 billion in the energy and minerals sectors with talented, experienced management teams, focused on hard assets that are integral to existing and growing markets. For additional information, please visit www.emgtx.com.