On Monday, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Jefferson City, Mo., will kick off the Clean Fuels Conference at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. The event runs Monday afternoon through the morning of Jan. 26 and is expected to draw more than 725 registered participants, including agriculture interests, clean fuel producers, marketers, end users and more. This is the 20th annual industry conference – formerly known as the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo – but the first-ever Clean Fuels Conference.
"Companies can see the tide is turning and that consumers want to feel better about the purchase decisions they are making," said Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen. "Low-carbon transportation fuels in planes, trains, ships and trucks will have to be a focus of their efforts. Cutting emissions is critical for companies that want to stay in business over the next decade, but it isn't simply just a good business practice. It's the right thing to do."
The theme of the conference is "United As One," highlighting the industry's commitment to bring together stakeholders to build a sustainable transportation future. The clean fuels industry has established a vision of producing 6 billion gallons per year of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, which will generate benefits for the environment, for domestic jobs, and for energy security.
Highlights of the conference include:
- Opening Session: United as One: A Year of Thriving for Clean Fuels
o Welcoming speech by Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen
- Panel Discussion: On the Move with B20 and Beyond, Vehicle Technology Showcase
o Representatives of PepsiCo, Caterpillar, Cummins, John Deere, Optimus Technologies and Florida Power & Light discuss higher blends of biodiesel and renewable diesel and display heavy-duty vehicles ready for these fuels.
- Speech: Dr. Karama Neal, Administrator, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
o Dr. Neal will discuss the success of USDA's infrastructure grant program that supports higher blends of biodiesel.
- Panel Discussion: Ready for Takeoff: Aviation, Rail, Heating and Marine Markets
o Representatives of the Association of American Railroads, Maersk, Star Group, World Energy and Darling Ingredients discuss sustainability goals and interest in new fuels.
- Ride & Drive
o Attendees and the public will have an opportunity to test drive new biodiesel-powered vehicles and see Florida Power & Light equipment used during Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.
- Panel Discussion: Clean Fuels for Cleaner Cities
o Clean Cities Directors from New York and Washington D.C., a researcher from State University of New York, and a representative of American Lung Association will discuss the potential for environmental benefits of using biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America's clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations. For more information, visit https://cleanfuels.org/.
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