In his annual address on the state of the U.S. ethanol industry, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in American agriculture and outlined how ethanol can once again help the farm sector thrive in the face of current economic challenges—if the right actions are taken by a new Congress and White House.
Speaking at RFA’s 30th annual National Ethanol Conference, Cooper’s report not only reflected on the industry’s rich history but also looked toward the future under the leadership of President Trump and a new Congress.
“From the early days of ‘gasohol’ during the Carter administration to the transformative passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005, the ethanol industry has evolved into a cornerstone of both U.S. energy security and agricultural prosperity,” Cooper said. “The success of ethanol, driven by the RFS, has had a profound impact on American consumers and farmers alike, helping lower pump prices, enhance energy independence, and bolster rural communities.”
Since the RFS was adopted 20 years ago, the U.S. agriculture sector has enjoyed the most prosperous and successful period in its history, Cooper said. But as farm income has plummeted in recent years, the outlook for agriculture has grown more challenging and uncertain.
Looking ahead to 2025, RFA remains optimistic about the prospects for the ethanol industry and its ability to help improve the farm sector’s economic health. Key initiatives, including newly introduced legislation to secure year-round access to E15, offer hope for continued growth.
However, Cooper emphasized that the industry’s continued success depends on the actions of the new administration. Among the most pressing priorities are protecting and expanding the RFS, revisiting tailpipe emissions standards that force production of electric vehicles, and bringing more certainty and stability to biofuel tax credits and trade policies.
“By strengthening policies that support renewable fuels, we not only enhance energy security but also strengthen the rural communities that are the backbone of America’s economy,” Cooper stated. “Two decades ago, the RFS created a thriving market for renewable fuels, pulling family farmers from the brink of economic collapse and sparking the most prosperous era in American agriculture. As farmers now face new financial challenges, it is more critical than ever that we turn to ethanol once again to secure rural America’s future and our nation’s energy security. We’ve seen it work before, and with the right policies in place, it can work again.”
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Source : Ethanol Producer Magazine
