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RFA Chief Unveils Detailed 10-Point Industry Plan in Annual State of the Industry Address

February 19, 2015

           

GRAPEVINE, Texas Today, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen discussed a 10-point plan for the future of the ethanol industry during his annual State of the Industry address at the National Ethanol Conference in Grapevine, Texas. Dinneen began by declaring, as I contemplate the state of the U.S. ethanol industry today, it is without hesitation or hyperbole that I conclude it is brimming with the confidence of an industry that has seen tough times and thrived, good times and prepared, and turbulent times and never wavered. The state of the ethanol industry is strong. Dinneen detailed the maturity of the industry, noting last years success despite the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) indecision and proposed cuts to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), pointing to the expansion of the ethanol market globally, and highlighting the emergence of cellulosic ethanol. But, Dinneen implores that there is much work left to do, noting that RFA is committed to an aggressive 10-point agenda that will move the industry forward and assure continued growth and evolution. Dinneen outlines a 10-point plan to: 1) Get the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on a growth trajectory that will crack the blend wall and motivate investment in new cellulose technologies 2) Grow market opportunities for higher-level ethanol blends including E15 and E85 3) Secure parity for E10 and E15 with respect to EPAs RVP regulations 4) Expand export markets 5) Create a level playing field for cellulosic biofuels by securing a long-term tax incentive 6) Develop a roadmap for Renewable Super Premium (RSP) 7) Support low carbon fuels programs done right and developed with the best available science 8) Improve railroad service while prioritizing highly volatile crude oil for railcar safety modifications 9) Continue to promote safety practices and procedures both at the plant and in the transport of ethanol 10) Provide detailed technical guidance that establishes a solid foundation for the industrys fuel marketplace and policy priorities Dinneens full remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found here. Video footage can be found below: Live stream videos at Ustream