Biofuels stakeholders and experts from across the nation will join the Nebraska Ethanol Board and Renewable Fuels Nebraska for the annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum March 6-7, 2023, in La Vista, Nebraska, at the La Vista Conference Center. In its 17th year, the Forum serves newcomers to the ethanol industry and experienced professionals who want to hear about emerging markets, policy, and technology, and who want to connect with industry colleagues.
Newly-elected Governor of Nebraska Jim Pillen and Dr. Venus Welch-White, senior advisor to the Agricultural Advisor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will headline this two-day event, and highlight how Nebraska ethanol plays a role in agriculture, the economy, and sustainability. What does new state and federal legislation mean for sustainable aviation fuel; carbon capture, storage, and utilization; use of higher ethanol blends; and the Renewable Fuel Standard? The program covers it in the state, federal, and global policy discussions.
The Innovation Showcase highlights three carbon-reducing technologies and reviews the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) — a first-of-its-kind project in South Dakota to illuminate the path forward for climate-smart farming practices.
This year’s Forum also includes resources to learn about investing in decarbonization projects and infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy and USDA will review past, current, and future funding, while Advanced Resources International helps make economic sense of carbon marketing and shows ethanol producers how credits can stack up in their favor.
Registration and a detailed agenda are available at ethanol.nebraska.gov/events/emerging-issues-forum/. Nebraska ethanol producers, students, media, and Nebraska legislators are welcome to attend at no cost. See “registration type” for details or email jessica.sodeke@nebraska.gov with questions. Registration ends Feb. 26.
The many successful years of the Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum remain possible from the support of local and national sponsors. This year’s Signature sponsors include Bio Nebraska, Carbon America, Husch Blackwell, Kutak Rock, Navigator CO₂ Ventures, Novozymes, Summit Carbon Solutions, and WCR. Supporting sponsors include the American Coalition for Ethanol, CoBank, Fluid Quip Technologies, HMT, IFF, Pelican Energy, Phibro’s Ethanol Performance Group, Pivot Global Bioethanol Coalition, the Renewable Fuels Association, and USDA Rural Development. If you are interested in sponsoring this event in the future, contact amber.rucker@nebraska.gov.
