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Outlining 2009

Posted: January 19, 2009 at 09:40 AM CST

It’s been plugged before on this blog, so if the following seems familiar, that’s why. In a little more than a month, the 14th annual National Ethanol Conference will take place in San Antonio. Registration is open, and more information is available here: http://www.nationalethanolconference.com/.

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two National Ethanol Conferences, and they were extremely informative. In fact, the Renewable Fuel Association’s Jim Redding—then of Aventine Renewable Energy Inc.—provided one of the most detailed and easily understandable presentations on Renewable Identification Numbers—well before the industry was required to begin keeping track of them. Its examples such as that, and the thorough examination of policy issues affecting the industry, that keeps industry leaders returning each year.

The National Ethanol Conference, despite being held in February, also provides a terrific outlook for the upcoming year. RFA President Bob Dinneen’s state of the industry address typically provides a snapshot of the previous year while detailing the upcoming challenges and opportunities.

This year, the RFA provided a 2009 outlook a bit earlier. It held a teleconference Jan. 13 titled “Ethanol: Prospects and Policy in 2009.” It provided industry stakeholders with what its title suggests: information on a wide array of subjects that will impact the industry this year. I’ll let Staff Writer Erin Voegele’s article provide the details: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=5280&q=&page=all, but suffice to say, Dinneen and RFA Chairman Chris Standlee tackled what they consider the three primary issues facing the industry: the economy, modernizing fuel regulations, and the U.S. EPA to complete rulemaking for the renewable fuels standard established in the 2007 Energy Bill.

EPM will of course continue to tackle these topics as well, but I urge you to read Voegele’s article and follow her link to a recording of the teleconference. After that, consider attending the National Ethanol Conference. You won’t be disappointed.

-Dave Nilles