The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is holding its Global Ethanol Summit (GES) this week in the Washington D.C. area for the first time since 2019.

USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand said there were more than 350 participants from over 40 countries. “I’m thrilled to see so many industry leaders and policymakers gathering here in the Washington area with the common goal of implementing environmental and human-health friendly bioethanol in regions around the world,” said LeGrand. “Carbon emission reduction is possible today through increased biofuel consumption, and U.S. producers have the capacity to supply that transition.”

GES is an education and trade forum that seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. Tuesday’s program, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), will include seven concurrent sessions covering a variety of detailed topics on biofuel uses and the latest research regarding its carbon reduction capabilities.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty drove his custom Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel vehicle, affectionately known as HEFF, 1,300 miles to speak at the summit Tuesday about retailer ethanol blending economics and margin opportunities. Lamberty was asked to bring his hybrid to the summit as several countries consider implementing hybrids that run on ethanol blends.

The GES includes participants from more than 40 countries with the objective to increase global momentum for decarbonization through expanded ethanol use. The event covers a variety of ethanol topics from supply and demand to lifecycle analysis. On the ethanol infrastructure and compatibility track, Lamberty will speak on ethanol blending economics as a former fuel retailer and c-store owner himself.

The summit will conclude Tuesday with remarks from RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper.