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 …
Ethanol Report Preview of NEC
The Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference is the nation’s most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry, and this year’s conference February 19-21 in San Diego is anticipated to be one of the largest in recent years. Nearly 1,000 industry professionals are expected to attend the conference with the theme “Powered by Partnerships” to reflect the deeply collaborative …
Secretary Vilsack to Speak at National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association is proud to announce that USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will speak at the 2024 National Ethanol Conference in San Diego. Sec. Vilsack will speak to nearly 1,000 conference attendees Tuesday morning, Feb. 20. “We are truly honored to have Secretary Vilsack joining us at this year’s conference, and we look forward to hearing his perspective …
2024 NEC Scholarship Awards Announced
The Renewable Fuels Foundation announces eight 2024 recipients of the Robert Sather Memorial Scholarship, which annually offers opportunities for students and young professionals to attend the National Ethanol Conference (NEC), which takes place this year February 19-21 in San Diego. This year’s scholarship winners are: – Nicholas Defenbaugh, senior at Orion Technical College and a maintenance technician at Big River …
RFA at Farm Broadcasters Meeting
Each year at this time, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention provides an opportunity for the Renewable Fuels Association to connect with audiences around the country by doing interviews with agricultural reporters. At the event this year were RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, VP of Industry Relations Robert White, and Communications Director Ken Colombini, and once …
Political Expert Charlie Cook Booked for NEC
Charlie Cook, founder of The Cook Political Report and well-known political analyst for National Journal, has been confirmed to headline the luncheon at the 2024 National Ethanol Conference, Feb. 19-21 in San Diego, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The luncheon will be Feb. 20 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. “Elections have important consequences and implications for the …