The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is marking 15 years of grassroots ethanol advocacy on Capitol Hill this week at its 2026 DC Fly-In. Since launching the first event in 2009, more than 300 individuals from over 30 states have participated in ACE Fly-Ins, bringing firsthand perspectives from rural America to the policymakers and regulators responsible for shaping the nation’s biofuel policies.

ACE members spent Tuesday afternoon meeting with members of Congress and their staff, and Wednesday heard from Aaron Szabo, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, and Kate Zook, Acting Administrator of USDA’s Office of Energy & Environmental Policy. Key priorities are securing permanent, year-round market access for E15, advocating for strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending targets, and ensuring swift and clear guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit—including clarity on how ethanol producers can benefit from low-carbon farming practices.

“This fly-in is impactful,” said Troy Knecht, ACE President. “It took us a few years to educate people. We had to come out and educate. And every office you go to now, they know our issue. They know why we’re there….ACE has impacted really the way these congressional offices look at our product, our end product, ethanol,” Knecht said.

Knecht, a South Dakota farmer representing Redfield Energy, has been involved with ACE for over a decade. “Since I’ve been on this board, we’ve talked about E15 and it’s constant and we were close and now we aren’t as close, but I think there are some things in motion that would lead me to believe that maybe in the next year or two here we can get the job done.”

Listen to an interview with Knecht here and find other interviews in the ACE Fly-in virtual newsroom.
Troy Knecht, Redfield Energy (4:33)

2026 ACE Fly-in Photo Album