FEW General Session Panelists Discuss the Future of Ethanol; Awards Presented

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June 14, 2023

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by Katie Schroeder (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Representatives of the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol on June 13 discussed the future of the U.S. ethanol industry during a general session panel at the 39^th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, which kicked off this week in Omaha, Nebraska.

Troy Bredenkamp, senior vice president of regulatory affairs at RFA; Chris Bliley, senior vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth Energy; and Brian Jennings, CEO of ACE, participated in the general session’s association leadership panel. The panel discussed a wide range of issues, including the importance of lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling that accurately reflects the carbon intensity (CI) of ethanol, the ways in which that modeling impacts markets, and access to tax credits, including the 45Z clean fuel production credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The panel also discussed how across-the-board electrification is not a practical solution to reducing GHG emissions, particularly in the transportation sector, and the importance of building support for the Next Generation Fuel Act, which Jennings called a “more intelligent energy transition.” That legislation, which has been introduced in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, includes several provisions that would benefit the U.S. ethanol industry, including the establishment of a high-octane, low-carbon fuel standard. It would also establish a minimum research octane number (RON) standard of 98 for gasoline and require automobile manufacturers to design and warrant their vehicles to allow fuels containing higher levels of ethanol. “It’s just a much smarter roadmap to get us to a better place if you’re interested in reducing pollution within the tailpipe, if you’re interested in reducing carbon pollution, I think there’s an FFV element to it as well,” Jennings said.

The panelists also unpacked the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard post-2022 and the upcoming RFS “set” rule.

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Bredenkamp discussed the importance of accurate lifecycle GHG modeling regarding opportunities to use ethanol as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via alcohol-to-jet technology in light of the SAF tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. “I can’t overemphasize the importance of modeling, and in the IRA it’s as important as anything,” he said.

The panelists also discussed support and challenges for E15 use at the state and national levels.

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Also during the general session, BBI International and Ethanol Producer Magazine presented Mick Henderson, general manager at Commonwealth Agri-Energy LLC, with the 2023 High Octane Award, and Keli Davis, vice president of New Energy Blue, with the 2023 Award of Excellence. READ MORE

RFA Congratulates Board Members on National Awards (Renewable Fuels Association)

FEW Honors Ethanol Industry Leaders (Energy.AgWired.com)

RFA’s Cooper: Let’s fuel the energy transition with ethanol (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine)

Skor wins inaugural Women in Ethanol Award at 39th annual FEW (BBI International/Ethanol Producer Magazine)

Fuel and ethanol industries not exempt from industry challenges (Midwest Messenger)

Excerpt from Renewable Fuels Association: The Renewable Fuels Association congratulates Kelly Davis of New Energy Blue and Mick Henderson of Commonwealth Agri-Energy for receiving the top two awards at this year’s International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha. Henderson was awarded the High Octane Award, while Davis received the Award of Excellence. Both Davis and Henderson sit on RFA’s board of directors, with Henderson previously serving as the organization’s chairman.

“We are thrilled to see Kelly and Mick being honored for their many contributions to the ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “These two longtime industry veterans have played an instrumental role in the success of the RFA—and the evolution of the ethanol industry—over the past several decades. They are both incredibly passionate about the work they do, day in and day out, to improve our nation’s economy and our world’s environmental quality. The entire RFA family congratulates Mick and Kelly on these well-deserved awards.”

The FEW Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities, making Davis the perfect candidate, Cooper said. She has been involved in the technical and regulatory side of the ethanol industry since the 1980s. She joined New Energy Blue in April after serving a decade as a director and vice president at RFA. Her work to advance the ethanol industry was previously featured in a 2021 blog series on the organization’s 40th anniversary.

The FEW’s High Octane Award honors those whose passion and unstoppable pursuits have significantly benefited the ethanol industry. As general manager at Commonwealth Agri-Energy, Henderson has proven himself time and again as one whose passion for rural America and renewable fuels is unstoppable. Henderson began his career in ethanol in the 1990s as a plant manager for ADM before taking the GM position at Commonwealth in 2003. As a board member and former officer of RFA, he has represented the industry at numerous forums and events over the years. Henderson served as RFA board chairman in 2016 and 2017.

Past recipients of the High Octane Award and Award of Excellence are listed here. READ MORE

Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine:Rather than relying on an “electrify everything” approach to decarbonization, U.S. policymakers should embrace American-made ethanol as a central strategy for transitioning the energy sector to net-zero emissions, said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper in his keynote address today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop.

In his presentation, Cooper outlined the goals of the global “Energy Transition” and noted that many seem to believe electrification is the only way to decarbonize the transportation sector by mid-century. “For many, the ‘Energy Transition’ is simply shorthand for ‘Universal Electrification,’” Cooper said. “But for a number of reasons, a headlong rush into electrification is shortsighted and would almost certainly fail to achieve ambitious carbon reduction goals.”

Cooper summarized many of the challenges associated with a massive, complicated transition of the transportation sector to lower-carbon energy sources. He pointed out that there are more than 278 million passenger vehicles and light trucks in the United States today, and only 3.4 million are plug-in electric vehicles—even with record EV sales in 2022.

“Americans will continue to rely upon hundreds of millions of combustion engines and hundreds of billions of gallons of liquid fuels for many decades to come, even as more EVs enter the fleet,” he said. “If we really care about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, we need to start by increasing our use of lower-carbon liquid fuels.”

Cooper called on policymakers to adopt technology-neutral approaches that embrace a diverse portfolio of low-carbon transportation options. Governments and businesses should set stable, predictable long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, create a level playing field by removing barriers that prevent competition, and then let the marketplace go to work. This sort of approach would stimulate technology innovation, spur creative solutions, and empower American consumers to make the choices that are best for them, he said.

“We are confident that under a technology-neutral carbon reduction program, ethanol and other renewable liquid fuels would flourish,” Cooper said. “Today’s corn ethanol already offers a carbon footprint that is 50 percent smaller than gasoline. And RFA’s members have committed to achieving net zero emissions for ethanol by 2050 or sooner. Ethanol is a low-cost, low-carbon solution that is available today to help kickstart the Energy Transition.”

Cooper closed by pointing out that performance-based carbon reduction policies could lead to creative market solutions like RFA’s new Ford Escape Flex Fuel EV, which was on display at the event. With a full tank of E85 and a full charge of the battery, it can travel about 430 miles, which is about double the range of a comparable battery electric vehicle. And, depending on the carbon intensity of the ethanol used, this vehicle can reduce emissions by about 80 percent compared to a Ford Escape running on gasoline.

“It is our hope that one day soon, after proving the benefits of this technology, consumers will be able to choose a true zero-emissions vehicle that meets their everyday needs and doesn’t break the bank,” he said. “And whether it is a plug-in hybrid FFV, sustainable aviation fuels, green chemicals, or fuel for heavy-duty engines, we remain very confident that ethanol can—and will—lead the Energy Transition.”

Click here for Cooper’s remarks, as prepared; click here for the presentation slides. READ MORE

Excerpt from BBI International/Ethanol Producer Magazine: Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, was recognized as the inaugural winner of the Women in Ethanol Award for her promotion, advocacy and commitment to the biofuels industry Tuesday morning at the world’s largest ethanol conference, the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), taking place in Omaha, Nebraska, this week.

Skor was awarded this honor during the first-of-its kind award ceremony. Ethanol Producer Magazine recognized women within the ethanol industry and highlighted the crucial role women play in the growth and success of the industry. The award ceremony honored all women who have made significant contributions to the industry, whether it be through scientific research, business leadership, or advocacy efforts.

"This award is such an honor and I hope it encourages more women to pursue careers in biofuels--an industry that is thriving and poised for even greater success in the coming years," Skor said. "Thank you to BBI and to everyone in the ethanol industry for their support and recognition. As we move into a new era for biofuels, Growth Energy and I will continue to be there every step of the way, to lead this industry into an even brighter future."

Skor has led successful public affairs campaigns to strengthen the RFS, accelerate adoption of higher blends like E15, and drive major new federal investments in biofuel production and infrastructure. She led her members through the difficult COVID years, and the industry today is deriving more value from co-products, carries more political influence in Washington, DC, and is better poised to compete in the low-carbon economy. Upon joining the industry in 2016, Skor used her background in public relations to redefine the narrative around ethanol’s benefits, opening a new dialogue with women, millennials, and other consumers most likely to embrace higher blends at the pump. She successfully repositioned ethanol as an earth-friendly biofuel—a cleaner, more affordable fuel choice—using language embedded in the lexicon of industry, media, politicians and retailers. This effort continues with the Get Biofuel consumer education initiative.

“We are thrilled to name Emily as the first-ever recipient of the Women in Ethanol Award,” said Anna Simet, editor at BBI International. “We received many deserving nominations, which clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the roles that women in the ethanol industry have and continue to play.

“Though the workforce percentage of women in the ethanol industry is just around 30 percent, it’s about 5 percent higher than the energy workforce average,” Simet continued. “We look forward to continuing this annual tradition of celebrating the achievements of women in ethanol, as well as the underlining message that this is a very honorable, rewarding career path.”

Skor’s nominator pointed out her leadership and success in changing the narrative on the ethanol industry to a greener, safer fuel. “Skor is the CEO of the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, making her the most prominent, powerful woman in the ethanol industry.” Her nominator continued, “She has led the fight to strengthen the RFS, secure multiple waivers for uninterrupted access to E15, and drive major new investments in biofuel production and infrastructure. Under Skor’s leadership, Growth Energy has secured major legislative and regulatory victories, including expanded access to E15 under both the Trump and Biden administrations, unprecedented infrastructure investments by USDA ($600 million), and the highest ever volumes proposed by the EPA under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).” READ MORE