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"From Niche to Nation” seems an appropriate theme for this year's Ethanol Industry Outlook. It reflects the unprecedented growth that has occurred over the past several years. Once serving just niche markets in the Midwest, ethanol is now a ubiquitous component of the U.S. transportation fuels
market, as ethanol is now sold from coast to coast, and is blended in 30% of the nation's gasoline.
This year’s Outlook documents that growth. In addition, this year we've added new statistics on fuel ethanol demand and historical co-product production.We feature new technologies designed to enhance production, reduce energy inputs and lower costs. These technologies are changing the face of the U.S. ethanol industry, and we look forward to continued innovation that improves efficiencies. Perhaps most importantly, we take an in-depth look at passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), in which
the U.S. has made an historic commitment to renewable biofuels as part of our nation's energy supply.
Passage of the RFS has resulted in great enthusiasm for the contribution our domestic ethanol industry can make to meeting consumer demands for transportation energy. This enthusiasm can be seen at every grand opening and groundbreaking that seems to occur every week, many outside the traditional corn belt. Many existing producers are considering expansions as the industry gears up to meet the 7.5 billion gallon per year
RFS requirement in 2012. The RFS should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, and we are confident that consumers will demand and our growing appetite for energy will require that we consume much more than that required under the law.
The months ahead promise a frenzy of activity as federal regulators, industry and interest groups oversee implementation of the rules governing the RFS and other biofuel provisions of the Energy Policy Act. As the national trade association serving the ethanol industry now for 25 years, we renew our commitment to working in the best interests of the industry on all fronts to expand the production and use of domestic fuel ethanol from Niche to Nation.
Sincerely,
Bob Dinneen
President
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