Powered by Partnerships was the theme of the 2024 National Ethanol Conference last week in San Diego and the partners for the ethanol industry now include some brand new alliances and former adversaries.

The Partnering for Progress panel at the conference included representatives from the petroleum industry, car makers, airlines, convenience stores, and farmers.

Much of the conversation centered around lowering carbon intensity and being part of the sustainable aviation fuels market. “If we’re going to motivate farmers to produce low carbon corn, there has to be a financial incentive for them,” said National Corn Growers Association president Harold Wolle.

The highly anticipated revision of the GREET model that will determine the future for corn ethanol in SAF is expected to be announced March 1, as Wolle and thousands of corn growers are gathered this week in Houston for the Commodity Classic. “I want to see a model that accurately depicts what we’re doing on the farm,” said Wolle. “We need to be able to show that we have lower carbon intensity corn as a feedstock for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.”

In addition to Wolle, the panel included Lance West with the American Petroleum Institute, Rick Gezelle of Toyota, Marykate O’Brien with Southwest Airlines; and Doug Kantor, NACS. RFA Senior VP, Government & Public Affairs Troy Bredenkamp moderated the conversation.

NEC24 Partnering for Progress panel 1:00:14

NEC24 Interview with Harold Wolle, NCGA 5:20

2024 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album