American Coalition for Ethanol
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is a nonprofit trade association, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that advocates for U.S. ethanol producers, corn farmers, fuel retailers, and allied technology providers through policy lobbying, an annual Washington D.C. Fly-In, the USDA-funded RCPP climate-smart agriculture program, and proprietary carbon intensity calculator tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSioux Falls, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Coalition for Ethanol does
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that advocates on behalf of the U.S. ethanol industry. It serves a horizontally segmented membership base of ethanol producers and farmer-owned biorefineries, corn farmers, fuel retailers, and allied technology providers such as Whitefox Technologies and Fluid Quip Technologies. ACE's core functions are policy advocacy (RFS, year-round E15, 45Z/40B tax credits), grassroots mobilization through its annual Washington D.C. Fly-In (now in its 15th year with 700+ advocates from 30+ states), industry education via the Ethanol Today publication, and program administration — most notably the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a $25 million federal initiative spanning 10 states that helps farmers monetize climate-smart agriculture practices for clean fuel markets.
ACE's product surface consists of non-software tools and programs: Simplified and Detailed Carbon Intensity Calculators hosted on ethanol.org, the Flex Forward retailer support program (E15 cost calculator and Flex Check compatibility tool at flexfuelforward.com), the ACE Annual Conference, the Fly-In event series, the Ethanol Today publication, and a scholarship program that has awarded $74,000 since 2004. Underlying technology is limited to HubSpot for member management and Google Analytics for web traffic — ACE does not develop proprietary technology platforms, and the tools it publishes are deterministic calculation aids rather than software products.
ACE's revenue model is membership-dues-based across three tiers (Voting Membership for ethanol producers and farmer-owned cooperatives, Associate Membership for industry and technology partners, and Individual Membership), with annual billing. Specific dues pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization operates with a small staff of 1–10 employees under CEO Brian Jennings and CMO Ron Lamberty, and is governed by a Board of Directors elected from its member companies. Its distribution channels are direct membership engagement plus an international market development channel operated in partnership with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGC).
American Coalition for Ethanol firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Coalition for Ethanol
- Legal name
- American Coalition for Ethanol
- Website
- https://ethanol.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is a nonprofit trade association, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that advocates for U.S. ethanol producers, corn farmers, fuel retailers, and allied technology providers through policy lobbying, an annual Washington D.C. Fly-In, the USDA-funded RCPP climate-smart agriculture program, and proprietary carbon intensity calculator tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Coalition for Ethanol industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biofuels Industry Trade Association
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cross-Border EAC Trading & Compliance (Multi-registry, Multi-jurisdiction) (EUAGAFAJ)
Keywords
Where American Coalition for Ethanol is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sioux Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
American Coalition for Ethanol business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: ACE generates revenue through membership dues from multiple tiers: Voting Membership for ethanol producers and farmer-owned cooperatives, Associate Membership for industry partners and technology providers, and Individual Membership. The organization uses HubSpot for member management and communication.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Voting Membership for ethanol producers and farmer-owned cooperatives |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate Membership for industry partners |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
American Coalition for Ethanol product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACE is a nonprofit trade association that advocates on behalf of the U.S. ethanol industry through policy lobbying, grassroots mobilization, and member education. It sells tiered memberships (Voting, Associate, Individual) to ethanol producers, farmer-owned cooperatives, fuel retailers, and allied technology partners. As paid-offering support, ACE provides proprietary Carbon Intensity Calculators (Simplified and Detailed), the Flex Forward retailer support program with E15 cost and compatibility tools, and leads the USDA-funded Regional Conservation Partnership Program helping farmers monetize climate-smart agriculture practices.
Product overview
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is an industry advocacy organization rather than a software product company. Its offerings consist of programs and tools supporting the ethanol industry: Carbon Intensity Calculators (Simplified and Detailed) for farmers and producers to measure and demonstrate CI scores; the Flex Forward retailer program providing compatibility tools and cost calculators for E15/E85 adoption; the USDA-funded Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices; the annual ACE Fly-In advocacy event; the ACE Annual Conference; Ethanol Today publication; and the ACE Scholarship Program. These programs work together to increase ethanol demand, develop markets, and unlock new opportunities through policy advocacy, farmer engagement, and industry education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Flex Forward: A retailer support and education program helping fuel retailers offer higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85
- Ethanol Today
- Carbon Intensity Calculator
- ACE Fly-In
- Homefield Advantage
Products and services
- Voting Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- Ethanol reduces GHGs by 50% compared to gasoline according to scientists from Harvard, MIT, and Tufts
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use American Coalition for Ethanol
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
American Coalition for Ethanol technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
American Coalition for Ethanol partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreUSDA NRCS provides funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for ACE-led projects helping farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices. Initial $7.5 million investment in 2021 expanded to $25 million in 2024 for a 10-state project spanning 167 counties and 13 ethanol facilities.
- South Dakota Corn Growers AssociationcoreRCPP partner working with ACE on climate-smart agriculture projects in South Dakota, helping farmers adopt conservation practices that reduce GHG emissions and improve soil health.
- South Dakota State UniversitycoreRCPP research partner providing scientific expertise for measuring, monitoring, and verifying GHG benefits from conservation practices. SDSU's soil science team leads data collection and analysis across project sites.
- Sandia National LaboratoriescoreRCPP collaborator providing technical expertise for quantifying soil health and GHG benefits from climate-smart agriculture practices, working to correlate field data with existing models.
- Cultivating ConservationcoreRCPP partner providing on-the-ground work with farmers to implement climate-smart agriculture practices in South Dakota, directly supporting farmer adoption of reduced tillage and other conservation methods.
- U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGC)coreACE partners with USGC to expand international ethanol use through educational programs and workshops. Collaborates on Global Ethanol Summit and trade missions to promote ethanol markets globally.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreACE engages regularly with EPA on RFS implementation, E15 regulations, and renewable volume obligations. EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Aaron Szabo met with ACE Fly-In attendees in 2026.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreACE works with USDA on biofuel feedstock guidelines, Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC), and Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). USDA Acting Director of Energy and Environmental Policy Kate Zook engaged with ACE members.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury / IRScoreACE engages with Treasury and IRS on 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit rulemaking. Testified at public hearings urging finalization of rules recognizing conservation practices for tax credit eligibility.
- Dakota Ethanol LLCcoreRCPP partner ethanol plant in Wentworth, SD with 100 MMgy capacity and over 1,000 farmer members. Central to the climate-smart agriculture project helping farmers monetize conservation practices.
- Fluid Quip TechnologiesminorACE member technology provider specializing in ethanol plant efficiency technologies including Low Energy Distillation (LED) and DCO Technology. Featured in ACE technology spotlights and conference panels.
- Whitefox TechnologiesminorACE member technology provider offering ICE membrane dehydration systems to improve ethanol plant efficiency. Multiple ACE member plants have installed Whitefox technology including Pine Lake, BGW, and Western Plains.
- Gevo Inc.minorACE member and advanced biofuels producer receiving up to $30 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant to produce low-CI corn for sustainable aviation fuel near its Lake Preston, SD facility.
- BraskemminorPartnership with Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits to develop bio-based chemicals from renewable feedstocks. Braskem is expanding bio-ethylene production using sugarcane and corn dextrose for biopolymers.
- ValeminorBrazilian mining giant pursuing ethanol for maritime fuel, having ordered the first ocean-going ethanol-powered vessel (Guaibamax) to be built by Shandong Shipping Corp. Partnership with engine manufacturers Everllence and Caterpillar for dual-fuel solutions.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Coalition for Ethanol competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Growth Energy: Direct peer — Growth Energy is a leading U.S. ethanol trade association that competes with ACE for ethanol producer memberships and policy influence on RFS, E15, and clean fuel credits.
- Clean Fuels Alliance America: Direct peer — Clean Fuels Alliance America represents biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel producers, overlapping with ACE on low-carbon fuel policy advocacy and member services to biofuel producers.
- National Biodiesel Board: Direct peer — historically the trade association for the U.S. biodiesel industry (now operating as Clean Fuels Alliance America), providing a comparable advocacy, conference, and member-service model to ACE in an adjacent biofuel.
- Renewable Fuels Association: Direct peer — RFA is the longest-established national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry and competes with ACE on policy advocacy, ethanol market data, and industry standards.
Regional players
- Iowa Renewable Fuels Association: Regional peer — state-level ethanol trade association for Iowa producers that mirrors ACE's mission in a single state and occasionally partners with ACE on trade missions and policy work.
- U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council: Regional/international peer — USGC is a partner organization that develops international ethanol and grain markets; comparable in mission to ACE's international market development channel and overlapping on ethanol export advocacy.
- South Dakota Corn Growers Association: Regional peer — ACE's home-state corn grower association and a core RCPP partner for climate-smart agriculture work in South Dakota; comparable structure to ACE but focused on corn grower interests rather than full ethanol advocacy.
Emerging players
- Advanced Biofuels Association: Emerging peer — represents next-generation biofuel producers (cellulosic, advanced ethanol, SAF), overlapping with ACE's emerging work on SAF and low-CI corn pathways while addressing a different technology frontier.
Broad incumbents
- American Farm Bureau Federation: Broad incumbent — Farm Bureau is the largest U.S. general farm advocacy organization and an important source of corn-demand estimates (e.g., the 2.4B bushel E15 impact figure) that ACE leverages; broader scope but comparable advocacy function.
- National Corn Growers Association: Broad incumbent — NCGA is the larger U.S. corn farmer advocacy organization that partners with ACE on corn demand, ethanol policy, and climate-smart agriculture, while serving a much broader crop and farmer mandate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
American Coalition for Ethanol social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Coalition for Ethanol financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Coalition for Ethanol leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
American Coalition for Ethanol funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Coalition for Ethanol M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Coalition for Ethanol
What does American Coalition for Ethanol do?
ACE is a nonprofit trade association that advocates on behalf of the U.S. ethanol industry through policy lobbying, grassroots mobilization, and member education. It sells tiered memberships (Voting, Associate, Individual) to ethanol producers, farmer-owned cooperatives, fuel retailers, and allied technology partners. As paid-offering support, ACE provides proprietary Carbon Intensity Calculators (Simplified and Detailed), the Flex Forward retailer support program with E15 cost and compatibility tools, and leads the USDA-funded Regional Conservation Partnership Program helping farmers monetize climate-smart agriculture practices.
Is American Coalition for Ethanol a public or private company?
American Coalition for Ethanol is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Coalition for Ethanol founded?
American Coalition for Ethanol was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is American Coalition for Ethanol based?
American Coalition for Ethanol is headquartered in Sioux Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Coalition for Ethanol make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are American Coalition for Ethanol's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Growth Energy, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Biodiesel Board and Renewable Fuels Association. Regional players are Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council and South Dakota Corn Growers Association. Advanced Biofuels Association is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are American Farm Bureau Federation and National Corn Growers Association.
Does American Coalition for Ethanol have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Coalition for Ethanol.
What industry is American Coalition for Ethanol in?
American Coalition for Ethanol's product category is Biofuels Industry Trade Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAGAFAJ, Cross-Border EAC Trading & Compliance (Multi-registry, Multi-jurisdiction). Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.