The Great Lakes Sustainable Fuels Symposium, held September 2–3 in Dearborn, brought together leaders from agriculture, transportation, energy, business, and government to explore opportunities to expand sustainable fuel production and use across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Discussions focused heavily on developing new markets for Michigan-grown feedstocks through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), marine fuels, and other low-carbon transportation applications. Organizers highlighted Michigan’s unique combination of agricultural resources, major transportation infrastructure, and access to international markets as an opportunity to position the state as a leader in sustainable fuels.
Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC) Executive Director Ben Steyer participated in the symposium’s Supply of Agricultural Products for Sustainable Fuels panel, joining representatives from Michigan Corn and POET to discuss the agricultural resources available to support growth in sustainable fuel production. Steyer also serves as President and CEO of the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan Soybean Association, providing an important connection between MiABC’s work to expand advanced biofuel markets and Michigan’s soybean farmers.
MiABC stakeholder Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority was represented by Executive Director Mark Schrupp, who participated in the Demand for Biofuels panel alongside representatives from Delta Air Lines and Growth Energy. Schrupp brought the maritime and port perspective to discussions about emerging fuel demand. The Port Authority has been actively pursuing lower-carbon transportation solutions through its Port of Detroit Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement efforts, which include expanded use of biofuels as a near-term strategy for reducing emissions from vessels and heavy-duty transportation.
The participation of Steyer and Schrupp demonstrated MiABC’s growing role in connecting both sides of Michigan’s advanced biofuels value chain—from the farmers and feedstocks capable of supplying renewable fuels to transportation stakeholders that can create new demand. The symposium also reinforced opportunities to expand MiABC’s work beyond traditional on-road applications and into emerging aviation and Great Lakes maritime markets.
Image Credit: Corn Program of Michigan.