(May 12, 2010) Washington - The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) continues to work diligently to educate all manner of consumer through the use of social media services like Facebook and Twitter. This week, that hard work paid off as RFA’s Director of Market Development Robert White was awarded the 2010 Alternative Fuels Vehicle Institute (AFVi) Industry Excellence Award - the 24/7 Blend Award.

Announced today at the Alternative Fuels Vehicles National Conference & EXPO, White accepted the award for his leadership in the industry, focusing his efforts on educating about social media. By utilizing networking sources in the social media world, White has been able to communicate with and generate interest in new demographic groups about alternative energy.

"It is an honor to be recognized in such a manner by my fellow peers in the alternative fuels industry,” says White. “It is a reflection of the RFA’s commitment and leadership when it comes to educating consumers of all stripes about the benefits of ethanol use.”

With White’s leadership, the RFA and other groups of the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to raise public awareness and foster understanding of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. The grant provides support for a targeted educational plan aimed at Clean Cities Coordinators and related stakeholders.

“The work of RFA’s Marketing and Communications team is second to none,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “Robert is certainly a deserving recipient of this award. His recognition is evidence of the commitment RFA has made to utilizing all available outlets to spread the word about the exciting evolution of America’s ethanol industry.”

In fact, many of RFA’s “Tweeters” have been recognized as leading social media voices in the world of renewable fuels. According to Biofuels Digest, eight RFA staff members are among the Top 25 “Twitterati” on biofuels.

With a combined total of more than 14,000 followers on Twitter, a highly visited Facebook page and an RFA Youtube Channel, the RFA successfully connects with thousands of people every day, spreading awareness of alternative fuels and energy around the country. Contests and promotional efforts such as the E85 Flex-Fuel Challenges have reached a wide variety of consumers and have each been influential in educating them about the benefits of ethanol and using it as an alternative fuel source. In addition, the RFA has developed www.ChooseEthanol.com, a website designed to help educate and inform consumers about ethanol.

Stay connected with the RFA through Twitter, Facebook and Youtube:

• RFA on Twitter: @ethanolrfa
• Robert White on Twitter: @fuelinggood
• Bob Dinneen on Twitter: @ethanolbob
• Missy Ruff on Twitter: @renewablefuel
• Bailey Rall on Twitter: @brall
• Ashley Morrison on Twitter: @ethanolfuel
• Christina Martin on Twitter: @ethanolt
• Matt Hartwig on Twitter: @matthartwig
• RFA Facebook Page
• RFA Youtube Channel