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 …
Southwest Invests $30 Million in LanzaJet SAF Growth
Sustainable fuels technology company LanzaJet today announced a $30 million investment by Southwest Airlines for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility and collaborate on the corn stover to ethanol technology company SAFFiRE Renewables. LanzaJet plans to undertake project development efforts for the SAF production facility in the United States, with Southwest as the anchor SAF offtaker. The …
Ethanol Report on 29th NEC
The 29th National Ethanol Conference held in San Diego California last week may go down as one of the best and most timely industry meetings ever, setting the stage for major decisions that hang in the balance this year, including year-round availability of E15 and a revised GREET model that will determine ethanol’s role in sustainable aviation fuel. The Renewable …
RFA Chair Optimistic About Future for Ethanol
Renewable Fuels Association board chairman Erik Huschitt says there are both big challenges and big opportunities right now for the ethanol industry but he remains optimistic about the future. “I’m optimistic because I know science is on our side,” said Huschitt, who is CEO of Badger State Ethanol. “And I know that the brilliant people and the passion in this …
#RFANEC 2024 Wraps Up in California
The Renewable Fuels Association wrapped up its 2024 National Ethanol Conference Wednesday in San Diego with RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper calling it one of the most successful ever. “This has been a great event, lots of energy, lots of enthusiasm coming out of this conference for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Cooper. “We had the most people …
RFA Honors Argonne Scientist Michael Wang
At the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego, the Renewable Fuels Association presented its 2024 Award of Excellence to Dr. Michael Wang, an Argonne National Laboratory distinguished fellow, senior scientist, director of the Systems Assessment Center, and “Father of the Greet model.” At Argonne, Dr. Wang has led the development and applications of the GREET model for life-cycle analysis …
USTR Ag Negotiator Provides Ethanol Trade Outlook
The Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative spoke to attendees at the National Ethanol Conference this week about the trade outlook for ethanol. Ambassador Doug McKalip said had just returned from Guatemala where he spoke with government officials about ethanol. “It was clear to me that the government of Guatemala is very much dedicated to meeting its goal …
RFA Provides Free E85 in San Diego for Military Community
The Renewable Fuels Association used the opportunity this week of the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego to partner with Pearson Fuels and offer free fill-ups of E85 fuel for flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) driven by military veterans, active-duty servicemembers and spouses with an ID on Monday. The event put a focus on RFA’s new Veterans for Renewable Fuels initiative …
Partnerships Move the Ethanol Industry
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper this week addressed the biggest crowd for the National Ethanol Conference since before 2020, stressing the importance of partnerships and the need for critical questions to be answered soon. The theme of this year’s NEC is “Powered by Partnerships” and Cooper reflected on the ethanol industry’s many victories and advancements over …
RFA Study Shows Ethanol Continues Positive Economic Impact
As ethanol producers gather this week in San Diego for the 2024 National Ethanol Conference, they can celebrate a great year for the industry in 2023. As inflationary pressures eased and demand boomed for low-carbon ethanol and its co-products, the ethanol industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy remained strong in 2023, according to the latest economic impact analysis conducted for …