Ethanol innovation in North Dakota

After Friday's major ethanol announcement of maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard, industry leaders are looking to diversify how the industry operates.

After years of market instability and being affected by international ethanol tariffs, the financial impact to North Dakota plants is forcing innovation.

"It's up to each individual entity, but the innovation of taking advantage of low-carbon markets. I think if we can differentiate ourselves within the state of North Dakota, to take advantage of those and be long survivors in this industry," said Gerald Bachmeier, Red Trail Energy CEO.

The Renewable Fuel Standard is in the public comment period phase, but industry leaders as well as North Dakota politicians boasted the decision by the EPA and USDA and expect it to be fully implemented by the beginning of 2020.