It is often said that the goal of a keynote speaker is to set the tone for a conference but the goal of the address given by Dave Whikehart of Marathon Petroleum Company at the National Ethanol Conference was more to allow the ethanol industry to hear the perspective of a fuel refinery partner.

Whikehart tried to explain why the petroleum industry has problems with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Marathon petroleum supports corn ethanol because it is a transportation fuel and we are in the transportation fuel business,” he stressed, noting that they have a history of investing in and marketing corn ethanol blends. “What we do not support is government intervention in our markets and mandates that attempt to force products on our customers.”

As director of Product Supply and Optimization for Marathon, Whikehart made quite a few comments that the ethanol industry disputes when it comes to refiners being able to comply with the RFS going forward. He stated that demand for E85 is “non-existant” and that “E85 sales have limited growth potential.” In addition, Whikehart called introduction of E15 a “non-starter” due primarily to liability issues.

The ethanol industry disagrees and the rest of the NEC program this week is dedicated to proving that the RFS is working and that refiners and retailers can do what is needed to meet the goals of the program.

Listen to or download Whikehart’s complete remarks here: NEC Address by Dave Whikehart, Marathon Petroleum

2014 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album