RFA: Administration Reaffirms
Support Of The Ethanol Industry

In her recent address to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Deputy Assistant to the President, Heather Zichal, reiterated the commitment of the current Administration to the entire ethanol industry, regardless of technology or feedstock.

Specifically, Zichal underscored the Administration’s commitment to current policies that are effective in expanding this critical industry and the need to recognize that the White House and the industry share a vision for the continued evolution of the biofuels industry. Speaking in reference to the tax incentive for ethanol use, Zichal said:

“The message I want to bring to you today is that we want to and look forward to engaging with the industry and the Hill as we look at options for reform. We want to make sure that it’s guided by a recognition that the existing program does work — we’re certainly not looking to upend a program that works, as occasionally happens in Washington. We want to make sure that we are all on the same page as we move forward and have these discussions.”

In addition, Zichal spoke of the Administration’s desire to see both current ethanol producers as well as next generation technologies succeed. “To be clear, this administration is working to provide continued support for first-generation corn ethanol, which we believe is a critically important renewable fuel source,” Zichal said.

“At the same time, we’re also looking forward and are working to accelerate the creation and rapid deployment of advanced biofuels, which we think will ultimately become one of the nation’s most important industries in the years to come,” Zichal said. ◆