The two-day forum, which is in its 10th year, is arranged for ethanol producers and others integrally involved in production, technology, policymaking and marketing of ethanol and its co-products. The forum runs from 1-5:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.
Paul Argyropoulos, senior policy advisor to the Office of Air Quality and Transportation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is the featured speaker April 16.
Argyropoulos will address EPA’s plans for the final rule on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2014 and plans for 2015 and 2016. In addition, he will address issues associated with the RFS including steps EPA is taking to get the RFS back on track.
“Paul is as knowledgeable as they come on these issues and we are absolutely delighted that he will be able to join us this year,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “He has worked on fuel and air quality programs for more than 20 years and with new ozone standards, the Tier 3 program and fuel economy standards all impacting the future of ethanol . It is a very timely addition to the program.”
Other topics during the forum include ethanol marketing challenges; domestic and international ethanol marketing opportunities and barriers; emerging trends in ethanol co-products; low carbon fuel standards; and integrating technology for efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
More than 120 ethanol industry leaders are expected to be in attendance. Online registration and a detailed agenda are available at www.ethanol.nebraska.gov. Registration is open until 5 p.m. April 13. Scholarships also are available to university students and can be accessed online.