This year’s general session during the Fuel Ethanol Workshop diverged from past years. Rather than have a keynote speaker, the three leaders of the country’s largest ethanol associations came together on one stage to discuss current U.S. ethanol policy. The Association Roundtable: Mid-Year U.S. Ethanol Policy Update, panel was moderated by Tom Bryan, president of BBI International and 
featured Bob Dinneen, CEO and president of the Renewable Fuels Group (RFA), Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy and Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).
The discussions ranged from market access and how Big Oil is trying to block higher blends of ethanol, such as E15 and E85 from being sold to consumers, RINs, the ongoing debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the recent three white papers that were released for comment and the status of a farm bill. Interestingly, all three ethanol advocates, who are also Washington insiders, noted that all of the current issues and debates have been fueled by Big Oil.
The panel was informative, entertaining and at some points downright uncomfortable but Buis, Dinneen and Jennings all agreed that although there is a battle, they are confident ethanol will win. The groups’ final call: each and every person needs to be involved in the fight.
Listen to the full panel discussion here: Association Roundtable: Mid-Year Ethanol Policy Update