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
Jeff Johnston with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange explains the growing role of Rural America in supporting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
December 19, 2025 01:43 PM
·
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson reacts to the U.S. House’s passage of the SPEED Act, which aims to streamline federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, and discusses its potential impact on rural communities.
December 19, 2025 01:14 PM
·
Weather-driven transportation disruptions can tighten logistics, affect basis levels, and delay grain movement during winter months.
December 19, 2025 12:55 PM
·
Callahan is no stranger to agricultural trade and has been with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office since 2016.
December 19, 2025 11:53 AM
·
Record ethanol production, coupled with stronger demand, supports corn use despite tighter margins elsewhere.
December 18, 2025 02:32 PM
·
December 17, 2025 11:38 AM
A new maritime biofuels coalition aims to position ocean shipping as a significant growth market for U.S. crops and waste-derived fuels.
December 17, 2025 07:00 AM
·
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
December 16, 2025 01:37 PM
·
Mexico plans to release 202,000 acre-feet of water into the Rio Grande, offering temporary relief to South Texas farmers as Congress advances the PERMIT Act.
December 16, 2025 12:59 PM
·
