Helen Keller said it best: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”Over the past four decades, the U.S. ethanol industry has achieved numerous victories on the policy and regulatory front, as well as major wins in the commercial marketplace. But none of those successes would have been possible without the ethanol industry’s valuable partnerships and ability to work together with a diverse group of stakeholders.Take the Renewable Fuel Standard, for example. A landmark agreement between RFA and the American Petroleum Institute paved the way for passage of the original RFS in 2005. Two years later, we partnered with environmental groups, farmers, and energy security hawks to secure passage of the expanded RFS. Most recently, RFA has again partnered with API and fuel marketers to push for legislation that would permanently remove the summertime barrier to E15 sales.Throughout the history of the industry, RFA has forged alliances with agriculture, automakers, mechanics, petroleum companies, fuel retailers, government agencies, policymakers, environmental and health groups, academic researchers, consumer groups, military veterans and many others to help advance the industry and promote the benefits of renewable fuels.&nbsp;Our success has been powered by these partnerships.&nbsp;And looking forward, our partnerships must continue to adapt and evolve. To continue positioning ethanol as a solution to the world’s most vexing problems, we’ll need to continue expanding our coalitions and collaborations. Thus, as RFA pursues new opportunities for ethanol in a rapidly changing world, it only seems fitting that we would choose “Powered by Partnerships” as the theme for the 2024 National Ethanol Conference, taking place Feb. 19-21 in San Diego.&nbsp;A decade ago, it would have seemed unimaginable that the ethanol industry would be working closely with commercial airlines seeking sustainable aviation fuels, petrochemical manufacturers searching for low-carbon renewable feedstocks, professional fishing teams looking for a cleaner marine fuel, foreign governments pursuing low-cost clean energy for their citizens, or a myriad of innovative companies seeking to sequester or utilize the pure CO2 from ethanol fermentation. Today, we are working with all of these groups—and many others—to chart the future path for ethanol.It is a simple truth that when seemingly unrelated industries and entities face common challenges—like the need to decarbonize, the need to clean up the air in urban areas, or the need to enhance energy security—working together helps us all accomplish more. For almost three decades, the National Ethanol Conference has brought together industry leaders and stakeholders from around the world for the purpose of building trust, forging alliances, and building relationships. In 2024, you can expect more of the same, as a broad spectrum of attendees will gather to discuss how we can work together to address the opportunities and challenges ahead for ethanol.The NEC agenda will once again provide our participants with the experience they have come to expect—an opportunity to learn, to share best practices, to network and build their businesses, and to celebrate the industry’s many successes. We look forward to the National Ethanol Conference and the opportunity to power even more partnerships in the future. We’ll see you there!&nbsp;Author: Geoff Cooper&nbsp; President and CEO&nbsp; Renewable Fuels Association&nbsp; 202-289-3835gcooper@ethanolrfa.org

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The ethanol industry’s valuable partnerships and ability to work together with a diverse group of stakeholders has helped achieve numerous policy, regulatory and commercial victories over the past four decades.

Powered by Partnerships

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