During the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (#RFANEC) this week, one of the hot topics was the energy and ethanol market outlooks especially with the low oil prices the globe is currently experiencing. Tom Kloza with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) offered attendees the outlook for ethanol, oil and natural gas markets in his presentation, “Wronger for Longer – …
Abigail Fisler Shares Her #RFANEC Experience
Abigail Fisler was the recipient of this year’s National Ethanol Conference (NEC) scholarship awarded by the Renewable Fuels Foundation. She is a junior at Dickinson College in Carlislie, PA studying environmental studies with a focus on renewable energy and climate change. Last year she attended her first NEC show and wanted to attend again because of all the great educational …
#RFANEC Biofuels Policy Panel
The future of U.S. biofuels policy was the topic of a panel at the 2016 National Ethanol Conference this week in New Orleans. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen moderated the panel, which included industry and government stakeholders, but no representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, even though they were invited to participate. “They had expressed some …
RFA Releases 2016 Ethanol Industry Pocket Guide
During the 21 Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) this week in New Orleans, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released the 2016 Ethanol Industry Outlook and the Pocket Guide to Ethanol. Both resources provide up-to-date statistics, insights and analysis on the critical issues affecting the U.S. ethanol industry. Topics found in the guides include the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), background information …
RFA Chairman Pleased with #RFANEC
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) chairman Randall Doyal believes the 2016 National Ethanol Conference was one of the best ever and he’s very pleased with attendance. “Attendance is up over last year,” said Doyal. “I’ve heard people who thought that everyone would be depressed because margins are non-existent and we’re looking at some really tough times, but the industry’s kind of …
Making #Ethanol the Consumers’ Choice
An expert on consumer marketing offered some recommendations on how to make ethanol the natural choice for consumers during the National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in New Orleans this week. Matthew Willcox, executive director of the Institute of Decision Making, gave a presentation on how insights from behavioral science can be used by fuel marketers to affect consumer choice at the …
Economic and Octane Benefits of #Ethanol
The latest study on the economic impact of the ethanol industry released at the National Ethanol Conference this week shows the renewable fuel added $44 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product and supported nearly 360,000 jobs last year. The study, conducted by ABF Economics, quantified the impact of domestic ethanol production in 2015 on the national economy. “It really …
#RFANEC Panel on Marketing Higher Ethanol Blends
A really interesting session on getting more higher ethanol blends in the retail market unfortunately got cut a little short at the National Ethanol Conference this week due to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s visit, but you can listen to the presentations by two industry leaders here. Pennsylvania-based Sheetz, Inc. is a family-owned chain of gas station/convenience stores located in six …
RFA Honors Iowa Governor for #Ethanol Support
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been recognized for his unwavering support of ethanol as the recipient of the RFA 2016 Industry Award. The Industry Award is bestowed annually to individuals that demonstrate great dedication and innovation within the industry. Since the governor had a conflict and was unable to attend the National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans this week, Absolute …
High Octane Discussion at #RFANEC
With “Fueling a High Octane Future” as the theme for the 21st annual National Ethanol Conference, it was appropriate that the first panel focus on ethanol’s high octane properties and how they translate into high performance. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper moderated a panel of experts including Brian West with Oak Ridge National Laboratory; MathPro president …