16th Annual OPIS RFS, RINs & Biofuels Forum
September 23-25, 2024
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel | Chicago
16th Annual OPIS RFS, RINs & Biofuels Forum
September 23-25, 2024
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel | Chicago
Sponsored by
Jordan Godwin, Director – Renewable Fuels, OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Monty Bell, Director of Energy Compliance Services, Weaver
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the RFS or a first-timer, this refresher course is the perfect way to start off the event. Listen in for an essential overview of how the program works as well as key, must-know information in the area of compliance.
Dallas Burkholder, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA is responsible for setting annual renewable fuel blending targets and establishing overall policy direction for the RFS program. After a whirlwind of decisions and rulemaking undertakings over the past year, EPA has the program back on track. Hear about the agency’s latest modifications to the RFS as well as upcoming rulemaking items they’re currently working on, including but not limited to renewable volume obligations (RVOs), the RFS reset and eRINs.
Sponsored by
Michael McAdams, President, Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA)
Will Hupman, VP Downstream Policy, American Petroleum Institute (API)
Geoff Moody, Senior VP of Government Relations and Policy, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)
Chris Bliley, Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs, Growth Energy
Annually, it might be the most anticipated RFS discussion of the year. Industry stakeholders from both the biofuels side and the refinery side square off in a freewheeling discussion of biofuel-related issues. Advocates for both sectors will share their often-opposing views on the state of the program and where they believe it should be heading.
(Available for sponsorship)
Andy Lipow, President, Lipow Oil Associates
Rodolphe Tribolet, Trader, Mercuria
RINs prices have experienced strength and stability throughout the Biden Administration, providing improved blend economics for biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and others. How sustainable is the price stability, and what can we expect in the coming year? Our panelists will discuss why prices have risen, what could deflate the RIN bubble, and most importantly, where might prices go next?
David McCullough, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Susan Lafferty, Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
Steve Brenner, Associate, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
The RFS has been molded and modified by pivotal courtroom moments since the program’s inception, and the past year has been no different. Hear from the attorney’s side of things on what decisions have been made in the legal arena and what showdowns might be yet to come.
Sponsored by
Kurt Kovarik, Vice President, Federal Affairs, Clean Fuels Alliance America (CFAA)
Matthew Blair, Managing Director, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
Greg Staiti, Compliance Director, Calumet Montana Renewables
Our expert panel explores the current state of the biomass-based diesel industry, including supply and demand drivers, potential roadblocks to expanded use of the fuels and the outlooks for both traditional biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Tim Urban, Senior Principal, Bracewell LLP
Rob Walther, VP of Federal Affairs, POET
Tom Michels, Director of Government Affairs, United Airlines
The changing landscape of tax credits will have a major impact on biofuels producers in 2025, from biodiesel to renewable diesel to sustainable aviation fuel, which could also affect ethanol producers hoping their fuel will be used as a SAF feedstock. This panel will examine all of the changes coming down the pipeline and how to maximize those benefits.
(Available for sponsorship)
Sponsored by
Steve Csonka, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)
Anthony Gregory, Chief Operating Officer, SAFFiRE Renewables
The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry has seen sharp growth since last taking the stage at this OPIS event in 2016, especially over the past year. What has gone right for the industry in recent years and what other obstacles must be overcome before the fuel can truly take off with widespread blending increases? Our panel of industry representatives will discuss market and policy factors affecting SAF’s future.
Piotr Wozniak, Manager, Decarbonization & Emerging Energy, Phillips 66
It’s a rapidly changing world, and many refiners are embracing low-carbon fuels and reduced emissions to combat climate change. Hear from a key RFS-obligated refiner on how they’re adapting to changes and how those changes have affected their RFS compliance.
(Available for sponsorship)
Ron Lamberty, Chief Marketing Office, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)
Randy Gard, Chief Operations Officer, Bosselman Enterprises
Laura Yellig, President & CEO, PetroCard
The fuels marketplace has seen expanded blending of biofuels in recent years, from E15 and E85 to B20 to higher blends of renewable diesel. How have fuel blenders and retailers adapted to the changes, and how have consumers met those changes? This panel will discuss opportunities and challenges in biofuel blending.
Sam Wade, Director of Public Policy, RNG Coalition
Kirsten Higgins, Vice President of RNG, Anew
Grant Zimmerman, Chief Executive Officer, Amp Americas
The renewable natural gas (RNG) industry has seen steady growth over the past year following a sharp rise less than a decade ago. Our expert panel will discuss the current state of the RNG market, including new projects and key demand drivers, as well as how policy can better support the industry’s growth.
