WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Ethanol’s role in decarbonizing global transportation took center stage Tuesday at the Global Ethanol Summit (GES) in Washington, D.C., where industry leaders and scientists explored new frontiers in sustainable fuel applications — from jet fuel to shipping. Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz opened the day by emphasizing ethanol’s central role in the energy transition, calling it “the only scalable, low-carbon, affordable fuel available today.”
The day’s sessions reflected growing interest in ethanol’s compatibility with aviation, maritime, and advanced vehicle systems. Panels led by experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Cruise Lines International Association, and Growth Energy examined both policy and infrastructure needs for scaling ethanol-to-jet (SAF) and marine fuel production. Industry leaders noted that more than 100 million tons of ethanol are already produced annually — a figure that could double as global shipping seeks cleaner fuels.
Airline representatives from Delta, United, and Airbus said collaboration will be essential to expand sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which currently accounts for less than 1 percent of U.S. jet fuel demand. “Every bit of that 22 billion gallons of annual jet fuel use is something the ethanol industry could eventually serve,” said Tom Michels of United Airlines.
GES concludes Wednesday with sessions focused on affordability and scaling the global bioeconomy — reinforcing the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s message that ethanol remains central to both environmental progress and rural prosperity.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Bioethanol continues to gain ground as the bridge fuel connecting agriculture, aviation, and maritime industries in the global shift toward lower-carbon energy.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
October 29, 2025 03:04 PM
·
Dr. Ashley Johnson, with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), joins us to share the sector’s perspective on new FDA initiatives targeting ultra-processed foods.
October 29, 2025 01:52 PM
·
Cattle markets are collapsing this week, and analysts say that several factors are at play. Consumer beef prices also remain near all-time highs, threatening long-term demand.
October 29, 2025 12:58 PM
·
Trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia unlock tariff-free and preferential lanes for key U.S. farm goods, expanding long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
October 28, 2025 02:08 PM
·
Alan Bjerga, Senior Vice President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), shares updates and resources available to dairy producers.
October 28, 2025 02:03 PM
·
FarmHER Erin Cumings shares how Nationwide’s “Every STEP Counts” helps farm and agribusiness owners prioritize safety.
October 28, 2025 01:21 PM
·
The President’s trip to Asia this week follows a trade mission by the Iowa Soybean Association. Farmers say they were reminded that U.S. soybeans have an international reputation that can be easy to take for granted here at home.
October 28, 2025 11:28 AM
·
Export volumes remain positive year-to-date, but weaker soybean loadings and slowing wheat movement hint at early bottlenecks in global demand or river logistics. Farmers should watch basis levels and freight conditions as export competition heats up.
October 28, 2025 10:58 AM
·
Farmers who rely on H-2A workers will see a few key changes to speed up the process and make it fairer. On the ground, producers say labor issues create shortfalls in otherwise productive harvests.
October 27, 2025 01:36 PM
·
