The 19th annual National Ethanol Conference was one of the best ever, with strong attendance and a program that rocked. Personally, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen thought the Led Zeppelin 2 concert for the networking reception was the highlight of the conference, but there were lots of other great acts. “It was a substantive agenda and …
Corn Growers Vow to Protect the RFS
Now that the farm bill is a done deal, National Corn Growers Association Public Policy Vice President Jon Doggett says his organization has three main priorities for this year in Washington – protect the RFS, and protect the RFS, and protect the RFS. That may seem redundant, but that’s just how important the Renewable Fuel Standard is for corn growers. …
Abengoa Honored With RFA Award
To recognize the advancement of cellulosic ethanol in a pivotal year, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen presented the “RFA 2014 Industry Award” to Gerson Santos-Leon, the executive vice president of Abengoa Bioenergy New Technologies. The award was given by RFA at the National Ethanol Conference this week in Orlando “in gratitude for the sustained vision, innovation, and …
NEC Breaking Down Blend Wall Panel
Tying in to the first part of the theme “Falling Walls, Rising Tides”, the second panel at the 2014 National Ethanol Conference was focused on Breaking Down the Blend Wall. The panel, moderated by Renewable Fuels Association Director of Market Development Robert White, featured infrastructure experts who discussed efforts underway to expand options for retailers and overall availability of ethanol …
EPA Director Addresses Ethanol Conference
The Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency addressed the National Ethanol Conference on Wednesday morning on issues related to the Renewable Fuel Standard and EPA’s proposal for the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). Chris Grundler was scheduled to be on a panel at the NEC Tuesday but had a conflict and …
Impact of RFS on Ethanol Industry
The first panel of the 2014 National Ethanol Conference dealt with the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the ethanol industry – today and tomorrow. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Senior Vice President for Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper moderated the panel which featured remarks from Bruce Babcock, Cargill Chair of Energy Economics at Iowa State University and Steffen …
A Word from the Chairman of RFA
The chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association this year is Neill McKinstray, President of the Ethanol Group for The Andersons, Inc. McKinstray welcomed attendees to the 19th annual National Ethanol Conference on Tuesday in beautiful, sunny Central Florida. “Like many of you here I’m very happy to be away from the polar vortexes and the snow drifts of the Midwest,” …
Marathon Exec Keynotes Ethanol Conference
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 …
Ethanol Industry Rising Tides, Falling Walls
Falling Walls, Rising Tides is the theme for the 19th annual National Ethanol Conference being held this week in Orlando. Calling it a “mixed metaphor,” Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen said in his “State of the Ethanol Industry” address today that it is appropriate and will come to define the year ahead. “2014 will be the year …
Distilers Grains Exports Record High in 2013
U.S. exports of the ethanol co-product distillers grains set a new record last year and exports of ethanol were lower but still strong. According to the latest government statistics, exports of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) totaled a record 9.7 million metric tons (mmt) last year, up 31% from 2012 and well above the previous record of 9.0 mmt …