Last week, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Chairman Mark Wilson and USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand traveled with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor and Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper to Ottawa, Canada for meetings with government officials and other leaders in the energy and transportation sectors.
“Canada is one of U.S. agriculture’s most important export markets, with room to continue growing especially in biofuels,” Wilson said. “Both Emily and Geoff brought their expertise and outlooks on the state of U.S. ethanol production, and I think together we made an impression that our industry is ready to meet any and all increases in Canadian biofuel consumption.”
The delegation’s first meeting was with PAA Advisory for consultation on the current state of biofuel use in Canada and areas for expansion. Later at the U.S. embassy, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra spoke about his perspective on the trade relationship between the countries.
The next day was focused on groups and governmental branches affecting all aspects of biofuel production and use, including the Canadian Fuels Association, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Conversations covered the human and environmental benefits of ethanol and biofuels’ role in uplifting producers and the broader agricultural community.
Finally, the group met with Natural Resources Canada and Global Trade Canada to discuss proposed changes to Canada’s clean fuels regulation and reinforce the benefits of strong trade relations between the countries.
“The Council highly values its relationship with our industry and governmental counterparts and our mutual goal of keeping biofuels flowing for the betterment of the environment and consumers’ savings versus alternative options,” LeGrand said.
“There are so many factors that make Canada such a vital market for our producers, ranging from sheer demand to its proximity to key U.S. growing regions, and the Council and its partners will always seek to defend and expand U.S. market share with our neighbors to the North.”
To learn more about the Council’s programming in Canada, please visit the Council’s website.