american carbon alliance

What american carbon alliance does

American Carbon Alliance (ACA) is a nonprofit membership-based advocacy coalition headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, that serves as a unified voice for stakeholders in carbon capture, ethanol production, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Its members and constituency span ethanol producers, corn growers, landowners, carbon capture pipeline operators, construction trade workers, and citizens across more than 15 U.S. states, with geographic concentration in the Midwest ethanol production corridor. ACA does not develop or commercialize carbon capture and storage (CCS) or ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) technology itself; instead, it operates an advocacy platform that promotes policy and regulatory frameworks enabling CCS deployment at ethanol facilities and the use of ethanol-derived feedstocks for SAF.

ACA's core programmatic focus is policy advocacy: it lobbies for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit and 45Q carbon capture tax credit, supports permitting reform (e.g., the SPEED Act), promotes the U.S. Department of Energy's GREET model for carbon intensity accounting, and engages with federal agencies (Treasury, IRS, EPA) and state regulators (Iowa Utilities Commission). The coalition delivers recurring engagement mechanisms including annual Hill Fly-In events to Capitol Hill, monthly newsletters, bi-weekly member updates, member-only webinars and town halls, op-eds in major publications, and a federal Political Action Committee (ACA PAC) that supports candidates aligned with its policy objectives. Notable members include POET Bioprocessing, Summit Carbon Solutions, the National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, Honeywell, and the American Coalition for Ethanol.

ACA's business model is a two-stream advocacy funding structure: (1) tiered annual membership dues across Executive, Sustaining, General, and Individual levels (pricing not publicly disclosed) supporting 50+ member organizations, and (2) individual contributions to the ACA PAC capped at $5,000 per year per individual. The organization employs a community-led go-to-market motion relying on direct outreach, word-of-mouth within the agricultural and biofuels community, and visibility from high-profile advocacy campaigns. Distribution channels include the americancarbonalliance.org website, YouTube video content, LinkedIn presence, press releases, op-eds, and community events such as the Iowa State Fair. The team is small — led by CEO Tom Buis (former CEO of Growth Energy) with a senior advisor, membership/advocacy lead, press director, and policy/operations associate — consistent with a lean coalition operation rather than a product company.

Name

american carbon alliance

Legal name

American Carbon Alliance

Website

https://americancarbonalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

American Carbon Alliance is a nonprofit, membership-based advocacy coalition headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, that promotes carbon capture and storage at ethanol facilities and the ethanol-to-jet pathway for sustainable aviation fuel. It serves 50+ member organizations including ethanol producers, farmers, pipeline operators, and technology providers across the U.S. Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Advocacy and Coalition Membership

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Market & Policy Advisory (Compliance Schemes, ETS Design, Article 6) (EUABADAA)

Keywords

• Carbon capture advocacy
• Sustainable aviation fuel
• Ethanol industry coalition
• Policy advocacy services
• Biofuels policy representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbandale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ACA generates revenue through membership fees from ethanol producers, carbon capture pipeline operators, landowners, farmers, construction trade workers, and citizens. Membership tiers include Executive, Sustaining, General, and Individual levels. Benefits include website listing, communications toolkit, newsletters, monthly member updates, member directory listing, member meetings, Hill Fly-In events, committee participation, policy action advocacy, visibility opportunities, specialized briefings, pipeline safety research, and ACA PAC updates.
2. Political Action Committee (ACA PAC) Donations: ACA operates a federal Political Action Committee that accepts contributions from individuals to support political candidates who favor ACA's public policy objectives on carbon capture. Maximum individual contribution is $5,000 per year ($10,000 per couple). Corporate and foreign national contributions are not permitted under federal law. Contributions are used in connection with federal elections.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

American Carbon Alliance is a non-profit industry advocacy coalition that provides unified policy representation for stakeholders across the U.S. carbon capture, ethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel value chains. The organization recruits ethanol producers, carbon capture pipeline operators, agricultural associations, landowners, and individual citizens as members, and delivers services including policy advocacy on tax credits (45Z, 45Q) and permitting reform, communications toolkits, Hill Fly-In events, member meetings, newsletters, and pipeline safety research. It also operates a federal Political Action Committee (ACA PAC) to support candidates aligned with its carbon capture policy objectives.

Product overview

American Carbon Alliance (ACA) is a nonprofit industry advocacy coalition rather than a product company. ACA serves as a unified voice for carbon capture pipelines, ethanol producers, landowners, farmers, construction trade workers, and citizens supporting carbon capture and sustainable energy policy. The organization does not develop or sell commercial products. Its activities include policy advocacy, public education through a newsroom and newsletter, membership services with communications toolkits and pipeline safety research, and coordinating industry stakeholders around carbon capture infrastructure, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development, and carbon sequestration initiatives. The coalition connects ethanol producers, farmers, and rural stakeholders with policymakers to advance low-carbon fuel markets and carbon capture technology deployment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• American Carbon Alliance Coalition Membership Tiered annual subscription membership that gives ethanol producers, agricultural associations, carbon capture pipeline operators, technology companies, and individual citizens access to unified federal and state policy advocacy on carbon capture tax credits (45Z, 45Q), permitting reform (SPEED Act), and sustainable aviation fuel/low-carbon fuel standards; plus communications toolkits, newsletters, member meetings, Hill Fly-In events, specialized briefings, and pipeline safety research.
• ACA Political Action Committee (ACA PAC) Federal political action committee accepting capped individual contributions (up to $5,000/year per individual, $10,000 per couple) to support candidates aligned with ACA's carbon capture, ethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel policy objectives. Contributions are used in connection with federal elections; corporate and foreign national contributions are prohibited.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ethanol reduces oil imports by 700 million barrels per year
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers34 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, significant and supporting.

• POET BioprocessingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOET Bioprocessing is an ACA member and the largest ethanol producer in the network. Multiple POET bioprocessing facilities across Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota are listed as ACA members. POET joined ACA in February 2024. POET is central to ACA's mission as a major ethanol producer seeking to reduce carbon intensity through CCS to access SAF markets.
• Summit Carbon SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit Carbon Solutions is an ACA member and the developer of a major carbon capture pipeline project spanning approximately 2,500 miles. The company announced it is streamlining portions of its Iowa pipeline project, reducing the project footprint by approximately 200 miles and removing more than 400 landowners from the proposed route. Summit Carbon Solutions continues serving 27 Iowa ethanol plants.
• National Corn Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is an ACA member. NCGA represents corn growers nationwide and is a key stakeholder in ACA's mission to create new demand for corn through ethanol decarbonization and SAF production.
• Iowa Corn Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iowa Corn Growers Association is an ACA member. As Iowa is the top ethanol-producing state, ICA is a central partner in ACA's efforts to strengthen rural economies through carbon capture infrastructure.
• Iowa Renewable Fuels AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is an ACA member. It represents ethanol and biodiesel producers in Iowa and is a key partner in ACA's advocacy for renewable fuels and SAF.
• Growth EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowth Energy, the nation's largest biofuels trade association, is an ACA member. Growth Energy represents ethanol producers and advocates for policies supporting renewable fuels, making it a natural coalition partner.
• Renewable Fuels AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is an ACA member and one of the most prominent ethanol trade associations in the US. RFA's membership spans ethanol producers and is a key partner in ACA's advocacy efforts.
• US Grains CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe US Grains Council is an ACA member. The Council works to develop export markets for US grains and ethanol, making it an important partner in ACA's efforts to expand domestic and international markets for American biofuels.
• HoneywellmajorTechnology or IntegrationHoneywell is an ACA member and joined in February 2024. Honeywell provides technology solutions relevant to carbon capture and SAF production, including process technologies and automation for ethanol and biofuels facilities.
• CTE Global / NorthbrookesignificantTechnology or IntegrationCTE Global (Northbrooke) is an ACA member and joined in February 2024. CTE Global provides biotechnology solutions for the biofuels and biochemicals industries.
• Tharaldson EthanolsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerTharaldson Ethanol (Cassleton, ND) is an ACA member and joined in February 2024. It is a major ethanol producer in North Dakota seeking to benefit from carbon capture and SAF market access.
• Ringneck EnergysignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerRingneck Energy (Onida, SD) joined ACA in January 2024. It is an ethanol producer in South Dakota seeking to access new carbon capture and SAF market opportunities through ACA membership.
• Summit Agricultural GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit Agricultural Group is the parent company of Summit Carbon Solutions and an ACA member. The company is a major investor in carbon capture infrastructure and biofuels, making it a foundational partner in ACA's network.
• American Coalition for EthanolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is an ACA member. ACE represents ethanol producers and advocates for policies that strengthen the ethanol industry, aligning closely with ACA's mission.
• Earth OpticssupportingTechnology or IntegrationEarth Optics (Arlington, VA) is an ACA member. Earth Optics provides agricultural sensing and data technology solutions relevant to soil carbon and agricultural practices.
• Renew KansassupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenew Kansas is an ACA member representing Kansas-based renewable fuels producers and stakeholders.
• North Dakota Ethanol Producers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association is an ACA member. North Dakota ethanol supports more than 6,200 jobs and adds more than $4.5 billion annually to the state's economy.
• Renewable Fuels NebraskasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable Fuels Nebraska is an ACA member representing Nebraska's ethanol industry and renewable fuels sector.
• Eco EnergysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco Energy (Franklin, TN) is an ACA member involved in biofuels and renewable energy.
• Iowa Utilities Commission (regulatory relationship)significantOthersACA maintains an active regulatory relationship with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), submitting letters urging the Commission to move the Summit Carbon Solutions permit process forward and scheduling hearings on pending dockets. ACA also submitted comments on Section 45Q guidance to the U.S. Department of Treasury and IRS.
• State Governments (Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin)supportingOthersACA works with aligned state governments that are advancing SAF-friendly policies. Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have all adopted SAF incentives that align with ACA's policy goals for expanding ethanol demand through sustainable aviation fuel.
• Trailblazer PipelinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trailblazer Pipeline in Nebraska is a carbon capture pipeline project that began capturing CO2 in October 2025. ACA supports this project as an example of carbon capture infrastructure creating new markets for ethanol and raising corn prices for farmers.
• SAFFiRE RenewablessupportingTechnology or IntegrationSAFFiRE Renewables is working with Southwest Airlines and the state of Kansas to process corn stover for the production of renewable ethanol, which will then be converted into SAF. ACA supports this pathway as an innovative approach to SAF production.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)majorOthersACA advocates for the use of the DOE's GREET model over the ICAO standard for determining Carbon Intensity for SAF. The DOE has established goals of 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 and 100% of jet fuel demand by 2050. ACA submitted coalition comments to Treasury and IRS on 45Z implementation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Iowa Renewable Fuels Association: Iowa RFA is the state-level renewable fuels trade association for Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers and an ACA member. It focuses on Iowa state policy (including Iowa Utilities Commission engagement) and shares ACA's Iowa-centric geographic and policy footprint.
• Iowa Corn Growers Association: Iowa Corn Growers Association is the state-level corn grower advocacy group for Iowa and an ACA member. It shares Iowa-centric policy focus with ACA and overlaps on demand-creation advocacy for corn via ethanol and SAF.

Direct peers

• Renewable Fuels Association: RFA is the leading US ethanol trade association and an ACA member. It represents ethanol producers on federal renewable fuel standards and biofuel policy, overlapping with ACA on advocacy for CCS-enabled ethanol economics and SAF market access.
• American Coalition for Ethanol: ACE is a grassroots ethanol trade association representing producer members and an ACA member. It works on RFS, E15, and biofuel policy, with overlapping member base and similar advocacy infrastructure to ACA in the ethanol producer space.
• Growth Energy: Growth Energy is the largest US biofuels trade association representing ethanol producers, and ACA's CEO Tom Buis is its former CEO. Both organizations advocate for ethanol producers on federal renewable fuel and biofuel policy, though Growth Energy focuses more broadly on E15/E85 while ACA narrows in on CCS and SAF pathways.
• Carbon Capture Coalition: The Carbon Capture Coalition is a broad US advocacy coalition advancing CCUS policy across sectors (industrial, power, DAC). ACA is a more narrowly focused counterpart that concentrates specifically on ethanol-CCS-SAF intersection and the 45Z/45Q pathway.

Emerging players

• Great Plains Institute: Great Plains Institute is a nonpartisan energy policy nonprofit based in the Midwest that convenes stakeholders on CCUS, hydrogen, and carbon management. It overlaps with ACA on CCS policy infrastructure and Midwest energy transition advocacy.

Others

• National Corn Growers Association: NCGA represents US corn farmers and is an ACA member. NCGA advocates for corn demand drivers broadly, while ACA focuses specifically on demand from CCS-enabled ethanol and SAF production.
• Clean Air Task Force: Clean Air Task Force is an environmental policy nonprofit working on CCUS, hydrogen, and industrial decarbonization. While more climate-advocacy oriented, it overlaps with ACA on the 45Q tax credit framework and federal CCUS policy infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Clean Fuels Alliance America: Clean Fuels Alliance America (formerly National Biodiesel Board) is the US trade association for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel producers. It competes with ACA for SAF policy influence but represents a different feedstock base (fats/oils vs. corn ethanol).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usacarbon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AmericanCarbonAlliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-carbon-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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