Ethanol companies join RFA to form advocacy council
Leaders in the world’s ethanol industry recently announced that they are coming together in conjunction with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to form the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC). The AEC will be singularly focused on accelerating the commercialization of advanced ethanol through visionary public policies that unleash the full potential of these advanced technologies and launch new market opportunities for ethanol.
The AEC represents a wide range of advanced ethanol technologies utilizing feedstock from grasses and corn stalks to wood waste, municipal solid waste and algae to produce clean, renewable ethanol. The industry leaders founding the AEC include Abengoa Bioenergy , BlueFire Renewables, Coskata, Enerkem , Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inbicon, Iogen, Mascoma, Osage Bio Energy and Qteros.
“Advanced ethanol production and use is a critical component of America’s strategy to become more energy self‐reliant,” said Mascoma CEO Bill Brady, who will serve as chair of the AEC. “New ethanol technologies will dramatically increase transportation fuel security, create new jobs, and diversify the feedstocks that can be processed into transportation fuels. Together with existing biofuel production, advanced ethanol will dramatically reduce America’s dependence on imported oil and provide Americans with more control over their energy future. As world events have demonstrated, the need for secure alternatives to imported oil is immediate. Members of the AEC are excited to join with the RFA and begin writing the next chapter in American ethanol.”
The AEC has elected Brooke Coleman as executive director. Ms. Coleman has been the driving force behind numerous advocacy efforts to protect and expand markets for biofuels, promote advanced biofuels and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns.
Now formed, the members of the AEC will focus on developing proactive and durable federal and state policies to accelerate advanced ethanol development, ensure proper accounting of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental concerns, and expand the marketplace for ethanol fuels.
"It is time for all of the stake holders in ethanol to come together with a unified voice behind the call to arms to insure the energy security of the US. This alliance with RFA will provide the platform to insure our country's energy future against the back drop of Middle East tensions,” said Arnie Klann, president of BlueFire Renewables.
“The advanced and cellulosic ethanol industry has finally come together, but now is the time for the entire biofuels industry to speak with one voice,” said Wes Bolsen, Coskata Chief Marketing Officer & Vice President of Government Affairs. “With enduring support, advanced biofuels will create jobs, help reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce the federal trade deficit.”
“Working with AEC is further indication of Enerkem’s commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunities through clean fuel projects, while reducing the environmental impacts and costs related to oil dependence,” said Vincent Chornet, Enerkem’s CEO. “By leading the first wave of commercial advanced ethanol plants, Enerkem and the other AEC members are making advanced biofuels a commercial reality.”
“Fulcrum looks forward to working with members of the AEC to accelerate the deployment of low carbon fuel in the US," said Fulcrum's CEO E. James Macias. "Advanced biofuel projects will provide America with greater energy security and help communities achieve economic growth with thousands of green jobs."
“Our vision has always been global. But America is still the land of opportunity for Inbicon Biomass Refineries. Working through the council, we’re eager to turn American biomass into the new ethanol and put tens of thousands of Americans to work,” said Niels Henricksen, CEO of Inbicon.
“This group will focus on addressing the fundamental commercialization challenges facing advanced and cellulosic ethanol. We look forward to working with RFA to develop common approaches for an integrated biofuels policy that will help America meet its energy security and environment objectives cost effectively,” said Brian Foody, CEO of Iogen Corporation.
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