AgWired

At the Conference today, the Renewable Fuels Association, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and the European Bioethanol Fuel Association announced the formation of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance. Pictured are (l-r), Bliss Baker, Executive Director, Global Renewable Fuels Alliance; Gordon Quaiattini, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association; Robert Veirhout, Secretary General, European Bioethanol Industry Organization; Bob Dinneen, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association.

Their first initiative is to reach out to the World Bank, along with other organizations, to encourage them to make investments in developing countries’ biofuels infrastructure a top priority.

While Brazil is not yet a part of this organization, Bliss Baker, Executive Director, of the Global Renewable FuelsAlliance, said that they have spoken and invited them, along with dozens of other worldwide organizations, to join the alliance. Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association followed up by saying, “Quite frankly, we expect them to join.”

Gordon Guaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, stressed the importance of helping developing countries develop their agricultural productivity. “Agriculture productivity and poverty are directly linked.” He wants this new organization to take a similar approach that leading agricultural groups have which includes helping developing countries adopt more sustainable practices while increasing output. He said that they will ensure that biofuels are developed in a sustainable manner that will allow poverty stricken areas to significantly increase their economic condition.

As energy is a global issue, this new alliance, which represents 60 percent of the global biofuels production and 29 countries, will focus on ensuring that international biofuels policies are sustainable, and developed in a way that each countries’ best interest as the center of all decisions.

You can listen to the full press conference here: nec-09-grfa-conference.mp3

2009 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Growth Energy will be holding a press conference this morning just 15 minutes prior to the RFA press conference. Interesting timing.

Growth Energy Co-Chairman General Wesley Clark will announce two new members of the leadership team at Growth Energy on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Clark will name a CEO and a Senior Advisor, both known for their leadership and service, who will help Growth Energy achieve its goals of creating American jobs at home, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil through the expanded use of ethanol in our gasoline supply.

Several sources here at the National Ethanol Conference have told us that Tom Buis, President, National Farmers Union, will be announced as the new CEO for Growth Energy. I’ll be on the conference call to confirm this later this morning.

RFA will be announcing the formation of a new organization – Global Renewable Fuels Alliance.

With the growth of biofuels worldwide and the growing interest of companies and nations in reducing Green House Gas emissions, three of the world’s largest ethanol trade associations have decided to work together to promote biofuels worldwide.

WHO:
Bob Dinneen, CEO and President, Renewable Fuels Association, Gord Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and Rob Vierhout, Secretary General of the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (ebio), and Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the new organization.

Does it seem like we need more unity within the ethanol industry?