The National Ethanol Conference is scheduled to take place on February 24–25 in Orlando, aligning this year with a key deadline for the recently formed E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, which has been meeting in Washington, D.C., over the past week, Energy Agwired reported.
The council has been assigned to submit a legislative proposal by February 15, with the aim of having the bill considered by February 25. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said the timing is expected to add significance to the conference.
“The whole focus of our event this year is on unleashing American ethanol and creating new opportunities for corn growers, and unfortunately the pathway to doing that often runs through Washington, D.C., or through state capitols,” Cooper said. “We will have a strong focus on identifying solutions to expand ethanol demand, increase demand for corn, and enhance the value of both commodities, with E15 playing a major role.”
Other issues set to be discussed at NEC 2026 include energy, agriculture, and tax policies; the role of artificial intelligence in the ethanol market; global ethanol demand; maritime markets; opportunities linked to the 45Z tax credit; and updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.
