2025-10-31T13:51:19-05:00 2024-12-31 450250958 EIDE BAILLY LLP 345 N REID PL STE 400 SIOUX FALLS SD 571037034 990 2024-01-01 450407345 AMERICAN COALITION FOR ETHANOL AMER 6053343381 5000 S BROADBAND LANE 224 SIOUX FALLS SD 57108 BRIAN JENNINGS CEO 6053343381 2025-10-30 1 1 LAURIE HANSON CPA P00851848 6053391999 2025-10-24 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z BRIAN JENNINGS 5000 S BROADBAND LANE 224 SIOUX FALLS SD 57108 2577959 0 X WWW.ETHANOL.ORG X 1987 ND DELIVER VALUE TO MEMBERS THROUGH GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. 19 19 5 19 47705 0 123525 1279814 1298998 1297333 417 515 1402 297 1424342 2577959 5000 5000 0 0 534911 583154 0 0 0 1158636 1850312 1698547 2438466 -274205 139493 606848 646382 547180 447221 59668 199161 X AMERICAN COALITION FOR ETHANOL (ACE) WAS FORMED TO BRING TOGETHER A WIDE RANGE OF GROUPS IN SUPPORT OF MAKING U.S. ETHANOL THE CONSUMER FUEL OF CHOICE. ACE UNITES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, COMMODITY AND FARM ORGANIZATIONS, ETHANOL PRODUCERS, RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, BUSINESSES, AND INDIVIDUALS BEHIND COALITION INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF ETHANOL IN THE U.S. A NATIONAL, NONPROFIT, GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, ACE DELIVERS VALUE TO MEMBERS THROUGH GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, MARKET DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND INFORMATION STRATEGIES. 0 0 POSITION PRODUCERS AS PART OF THE CLIMATE SOLUTIONUNLOCKING ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS AND TAX CREDITSUSDA APPROVED $25 MILLION IN ACE'S HISTORIC REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP) EXPANSION WITH 13 ETHANOL PARTNERS WHICH BUILDS ON THE SUCCESSFUL SOUTH DAKOTA-BASED PROJECT ANNOUNCED IN 2021. ACE HELD MEETINGS WITH OVER 700 FARMERS INTERESTED IN THE EXPANDED 10-STATE RCPP AND DISTRIBUTED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS INVOLVED IN ACE'S SOUTH DAKOTA RCPP IMPLEMENTING PRACTICES ON NEARLY 30,000 ACRES. IMPROVING RULES FOR CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE ACE ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE USDA, OFFERING FEEDBACK ON THE PROCESSES FOR QUANTIFYING, REPORTING AND VERIFYING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE-SMART FARMING PRACTICES ON GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS FROM U.S.-GROWN BIOFUEL FEEDSTOCK CROPS. IN PREPARATION FOR THE TREASURY'S RELEASE OF ITS 40B GREET MODEL GUIDANCE, ACE ALSO URGED THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO FULLY RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE AND INCORPORATE ACCURATE REAL-WORLD LAND USE CHANGE ESTIMATES. ADDITIONALLY, ACE PROVIDED FEEDBACK TO THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD (CARB) ON THE 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LOW CARBON FUEL STANDARD (LCFS), ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVED SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA FOR CROP-BASED BIOFUELS AND PRESSING CARB TO FINALLY APPROVE THE USE OF E15 IN CALIFORNIA. CARBON TOPICS TOP OF MIND AT 2024 ACE EVENTS GATHERED ADVOCATES IN WASHINGTON DC FOR ACE'S 13TH ANNUAL DC FLY-IN. A TOP FOCUS WAS URGING CONGRESS TO SUPPORT POLICIES THAT UNLOCK NEW MARKETS AND TAX CREDITS, AND ENCOURAGING TREASURY TO ENSURE ETHANOL QUALIFIES FOR THE 40B AND 45Z TAX CREDITS BY APPLYING THE GREET MODEL AND INTEGRATING CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE PRACTICES. ATTENDEES MET WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND HEARD FROM NOTABLE SPEAKERS, INCLUDING USDA UNDER SECRETARY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DR. BASIL GOODEN, EPA AGRICULTURE ADVISOR ROD SNYDER, AND SENATOR DEB FISCHER (NE). AT ACE'S 37TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN OMAHA, THEMED "THE GOLD STANDARD," DISCUSSIONS CENTERED ON ENSURING ETHANOL REMAINS THE PREMIER CLEAN FUEL FOR YEARS TO COME. ACE WAS HONORED TO HOST U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TOM VILSACK, WHO HIGHLIGHTED THE ADMINISTRATION'S HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN ENERGY. INCREASE ETHANOL DEMAND AND VALUEE15 YEAR-ROUNDEXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALLOWING E15 TO BE SOLD IN EIGHT MIDWEST STATES. HOWEVER, SINCE THE RULE WASN'T SET TO BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL APRIL 2025, ACE RALLIED INDUSTRY ADVOCATES TO CALL ON THE EPA AND PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ISSUE EMERGENCY WAIVERS FOR THE 2024 SUMMER MONTHS, WHICH THE EPA DELIVERED ON. ACE CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS, THE NATIONWIDE CONSUMER AND FUEL RETAILER CHOICE ACT, TO ENSURE NATIONWIDE AND PERMANENT E15 AVAILABILITY. PROTECTING THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE D.C. CIRCUIT ISSUED AN ORDER VACATING MOST OF THE U.S. EPA'S 2022 DENIALS OF PETITIONS FOR SMALL REFINERY EXEMPTIONS FROM RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD (RFS) OBLIGATIONS AND REMANDING THOSE PETITIONS TO EPA FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS. ACE, ALONG WITH THE RENEWABLE FUELS ASSOCIATION AND GROWTH ENERGY, INTERVENED ON EPA'S BEHALF IN THE LITIGATION AND ARE EVALUATING NEXT STEPS AS A COALITION TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE RFS. DEVELOP NEW MARKETS AND USESRETAILER-FOCUSED WEBSITE AND AD UPDATESWHEN USDA'S HIGHER BLENDS INFRASTRUCTURE INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HBIIP) RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING THROUGH THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, ACE UPDATED ITS RETAILER-FOCUSED WEBSITE, FLEXFUELFORWARD.COM, TO EASILY DIRECT PROSPECTIVE E15 AND FLEX FUELS RETAILERS TO INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR AND OBTAINING PART OF THE $450 MILLION IN NEWLY AVAILABLE COMPETITIVE GRANTS. DURING THE LATEST FIVE QUARTERS OF AVAILABILITY, ACE HELPED 170 MARKETERS, FROM MICHIGAN TO ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA TO CONNECTICUT, TO ACCESS THE USDA WEBSITE AND APPLY FOR HBIIP GRANTS.ETHANOL EDUCATION ON THE ROAD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ACE EXPANDED ITS OUTREACH TO PETROLEUM MARKETERS BY ATTENDING SEVERAL INDUSTRY TRADE SHOWS AND WORKSHOPS. THESE EVENTS ALLOWED ACE TO ADDRESS KEY QUESTIONS FROM POTENTIAL HIGHER-BLEND ETHANOL MARKETERS REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE COMPATIBILITY, BEST PRACTICES FOR PROMOTING E15 AND E85, OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO USDA'S HBIIP, WHICH CONCLUDED THIS FALL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES AVAILABLE TO RETAILERS OFFERING HIGHER ETHANOL BLENDS.BUILDING INTERNATIONAL ETHANOL DEMANDACE CMO RON LAMBERTY REPRESENTED THE ORGANIZATION AT SEVERAL KEY U.S. GRAINS COUNCIL (USGC) EVENTS, INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETING CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING IN GUATEMALA CITY AND THE ANNUAL BOARD OF DELEGATES MEETING IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. HE ALSO SPOKE AT THE COUNCIL'S "CULTIVANDO ENERGA" (GROWING ENERGY) CONFERENCE, HOSTED BY THE INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR COOPERATION ON AGRICULTURE (IICA) IN COSTA RICA, WHERE HE ALSO MET WITH FUEL MARKETERS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATORS FOLLOWING THE CONFERENCE. ADDITIONALLY, ACE WELCOMED A USGC-SPONSORED CROP TOUR TEAM OF 18 CORN AND COPRODUCT BUYERS FROM KOREA TO ITS SIOUX FALLS OFFICE. 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 0 1 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X 19 19 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 X BRIAN JENNINGS 6053343381 5000 S BROADBAND LANE STE 224 SIOUX FALLS SD 57108 DAVE SOVEREIGN PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 TROY KNECHT VICE PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN CHRISTIANSON TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 RON ALVERSON SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRIS STUDER OFFICER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 BILL DARTT OFFICER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRIS WILSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RICK SCHWARCK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID KOLSRUD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RANDY GARD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WAYNE GARRETT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HARMON WILTS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KENTON JOHNSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TREVOR HINZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT MCPHEETERS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 REID WAGNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN VASA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG PUNKE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVE ELLENS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN JENNINGS CEO 40.00 X 159313 0 10931 RON LAMBERTY CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 40.00 X 136680 0 13564 295993 0 24495 2 0 1 0 CULTIVATING CONSERVATION 607 FT WILLIAMS PKWY ALEXANDRIA VA 22304 CONSULTING AND LOBBYING 436659 1 1279814 1279814 MEMBERSHIP DUES 900099 1208855 1208855 ETHANOL TODAY MAGAZINE 541800 47705 47705 CONFERENCES/TRADE SHOW 900099 40773 40773 1297333 515 515 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 297 297 297 2577959 1249628 47705 812 5000 321791 210862 465 12299 37737 44714 128367 110075 41360 118477 42517 203096 30320 2067 RCPP EXPENSE REIMBURSEM 918393 LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE 132482 PUBLICATION EXPENSES 48659 SPECIAL PROJECT EXPENSE 21467 8318 2438466 184581 261992 3406 37500 14210 38808 251031 196065 85286 54966 319365 253116 606848 646382 47879 76181 177982 115367 321319 255673 547180 447221 X 59668 199161 59668 199161 606848 646382 139493 0 X 1 X 0 1 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 1208855 348549 348549 423099 -74550 27209 27209 0 67274 63784 3490 156548 105072 51476 54966 RIGHT OF USE ASSET 253116 253116 LEASE OBLIGATION 255673 255673 X PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT IT HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR ANY TAX POSITIONS TAKEN AFFECTING ITS ANNUAL FILING REQUIREMENTS, AND AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION WOULD RECOGNIZE FUTURE ACCRUED INTEREST AND PENALTIES RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS AND LIABILITIES IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE IF SUCH INTEREST AND PENALTIES ARE INCURRED. X 0 0 0 BRIAN JENNINGS CEO 146065 0 12923 0 325 0 4832 0 6099 0 170244 0 0 0 RON LAMBERTY CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER 132109 0 4571 0 0 0 9659 0 5210 0 151549 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1A THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER, SECRETARY, AND TWO ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD SHALL CONSTITUTE THE ACE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND ACTS ON THE ANNUAL AUDITED OR REVIEWED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, REVIEWS AND ACTS ON BUDGETARY MATTERS, HELPS OVERSEE ACE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND COMPLETES OTHER DUTIES AS DEEMED NECESSARY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 CHRIS WILSON AND RICK SCHWARCK HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH DOUG PUNKE; SCOTT MCPHEETERS HAS A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH REID WAGNER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP: 1. VOTING MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS: - AN ETHANOL OR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION ENTITY; - REPRESENTS PRODUCERS OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND OTHER FEEDSTOCKS USED TO PRODUCE ETHANOL OR BIOFUEL; - A RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ENTITY; - FIRMS THAT MARKET ETHANOL, BIOFUELS, OR COPRODUCTS AND FIRMS THAT DESIGN OR BUILD ETHANOL OR BIOFUEL FACILITIES; OR - ANY OTHER PARTY WHO DEMONSTRATES THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY. 2. NON-VOTING MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS: - ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. ANY NATURAL PERSON, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION WHICH PROVIDES GOODS AND SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ETHANOL, BIOFUEL, OR COPRODUCT PRODUCTION OR THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED AS VOTING MEMBERS. - INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. ANY PERSON, OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED AS VOTING MEMBERS OR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, WHO SUPPORTS THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A ACE VOTING AND ETHANOL PRODUCER MEMBERS ELECT BOARD DIRECTORS AT THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE CEO. AFTER HIS REVIEW, IT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO BOARD MEMBERS UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANY ACE DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL OFFICER, OR MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS, WHO HAS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST THROUGH BUSINESS, INVESTMENT, OR FAMILY ARE INTERESTED PERSONS AND ARE COVERED BY THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ANNUALLY, ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE ASKED TO SIGN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AN INTERESTED PERSON MUST DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF THE FINANCIAL INTEREST AND BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. AFTER DISCLOSURE OF THE FINANCIAL INTEREST AND ALL MATERIAL FACTS, AND AFTER ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE INTERESTED PERSON, HE/SHE SHALL LEAVE THE GOVERNING BODY OR COMMITTEE MEETING WHILE THE DETERMINATION OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS DISCUSSED AND VOTED UPON. THE REMAINING BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL DECIDE IF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. AN INTERESTED PERSON MAY MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THE GOVERNING BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEETING, BUT AFTER THE PRESENTATION, HE/SHE SHALL LEAVE THE MEETING DURING THE DISCUSSION OF, AND THE VOTE ON, THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING THE POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OR COMMITTEE SHALL, IF APPROPRIATE, APPOINT A DISINTERESTED PERSON OR COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. AFTER EXERCISING DUE DILIGENCE, THE GOVERNING BOARD OR COMMITTEE SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER ACE CAN OBTAIN WITH REASONABLE EFFORTS A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT FROM A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. IF THE GOVERNING BOARD OR COMMITTEE HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE A MEMBER HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, IT SHALL INFORM THE MEMBER OF THE BASIS FOR SUCH BELIEF AND AFFORD THE MEMBER AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE ALLEGED FAILURE TO DISCLOSE. IF, AFTER HEARING THE MEMBER'S RESPONSE AND AFTER MAKING FURTHER INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GOVERNING BOARD OR COMMITTEE DETERMINES THE MEMBER HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE AN ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, IT SHALL TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OR ALL COMMITTEES WITH BOARD DELEGATED POWERS SHALL CONTAIN THE DISCUSSIONS ON ALL POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DISCUSSES JOB PERFORMANCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE CEO AND DETERMINES COMPENSATION BASED UPON PERFORMANCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE CEO DETERMINES COMPENSATION FOR THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.