Ethanol workshop held in Mexico City

Ethanol was the topic of a recent two-day workshop in Mexico City, hosted by the Secretariat of Energy (SENER) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Experts from the U.S., Colombia and Paraguay met with Mexican officials to discuss technological advances and environmental advantages of mixing ethanol with fuel. Also discussed were ozone formation, air quality and the impact of ethanol on health.

"Workshops like these are extremely important for sharing knowledge and experiences around the benefits that biofuels like ethanol provide countrywide. In the U.S., we have seen ethanol reduce harmful emissions, create jobs and provide consumer choice and savings at the pump," Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said. "Growth Energy will continue our dialogue with colleagues in Mexico regarding how embracing ethanol will help contribute to a cleaner environment, improve water quality and create a stronger rural sector and happy consumers."

Among the U.S. companies and organizations attending the workshop were the American Lung Association, Growth Energy, the Oakridge Labs, Urban Air Initiative and the U.S. Grains Council. Independent experts also attended the event to share their expertise.
  
"As the world leader in biofuel production, innovation and use, the U.S. has a wealth of information, analyses and industry experience that can be shared with Mexico and its policymakers as they work to allow the introduction of cleaner, less carbon-intensive biofuel into their fuel market," Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), said. "Biofuels have been critical in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in our most congested cities. We look forward to working together with Mexico as it evaluates the benefits that biofuels can offer."