In a keynote address this morning at the Global Ethanol Summit in Washington, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered a look at ethanol’s future by way of its past.
“It’s a real privilege for me to start today’s program by sharing the U.S. ethanol industry’s history, our story, and our experience,” he said. “How did we get here? How did the U.S. become the world leader in ethanol production and consumption? How did ethanol evolve into a crucial driver of energy security and rural prosperity in the United States?”
Cooper emphasized how the drivers of ethanol’s incredible growth trajectory over the past four and a half decades are still vital for the decades ahead: smart public policy, innovation and continuous improvement in the industry itself, and the fact that ethanol is a product with many uses and benefits.
With regard to policy, Cooper stressed the industry’s broad, bipartisan support. “Throughout our industry’s history, we have been fortunate to have legislators—at both the state and federal level—along with presidents and governors, who have clearly understood the many benefits of renewable fuels. We’ve also been lucky to have so many highly effective advocates from our industry and strong partnerships with the nation’s leading farm organizations. … And in every case, the policies that have driven growth in ethanol production and use are policies that were explicitly designed to solve the problems and challenges facing American families across the country.”
Cooper traced the history of ethanol policy, which reached its zenith in the Renewable Fuel Standard. Looking to the future, he said, opportunities abound for nationwide year-round E15; carbon capture, utilization and storage; and the use of renewable fuels like ethanol in aviation and maritime transportation. He concluded:
“Throughout the ethanol industry’s history, our biggest policy wins and successes have come when we join forces to position ethanol and agriculture as a solution to important societal challenges. Ethanol solves problems. Whether it is cleaning up the air, reducing carbon emissions, boosting energy security, lowering costs for consumers, or building new markets for farmers, we must continue to make a credible, compelling, scientific case for the expanded production and use of ethanol—just as we’ve done for the past 45 years.”
Click here for Cooper's remarks as prepared. Click here for the accompanying presentation.
