WASHINGTON, D.C.—Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, testified today at a virtual hearing hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its 2023-2025 plan for biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In her remarks, Skor recommended that EPA approve a backlog of renewable fuel pathways and urged the agency to leave room in its final rule for the innovation taking place in the American biofuels industry.

“We are greatly encouraged by EPA’s strong Set proposal with implied conventional biofuel volumes at 15 billion gallons for 2023 and increasing to 15.25 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025,” Skor said. “Moving forward, our opportunities for growth across both conventional and advanced biofuels are linked, so it is important that the proposed volumes reflect industry growth and innovation. Specifically, we ask that EPA clear the backlog of pathway approvals for renewable fuels, including cellulosic biofuels from kernel fiber, advanced biofuels from corn oil produced at bioethanol wet mills, and bioethanol produced using carbon capture technologies.”

“We also ask that EPA account for the innovation in the biofuels industry, which requires updated lifecycle emissions modeling to reflect the best available science on low-carbon bioethanol that will be used not only to decarbonize our on-road fleet, but also for sustainable aviation fuel,” she added.

Skor also used her remarks to push the agency to allow the sale of lower-carbon, lower-cost fuels like E15 (a blend of gasoline and 15% ethanol) all year round.

“While not directly addressed under this proposal, EPA must continue to work to allow the sale of E15 year-round and finalize its proposal to broaden use of existing retail infrastructure and simplify E15 labeling,” she said. “We can maximize biofuels’ ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving consumers money at the pump by allowing the sale of E15 year-round.”

EPA released its Set proposal in November, outlining the agency’s plan to require fuel in the U.S. to be blended with a certain amount of renewable fuels like ethanol. Under the terms of a consent decree with Growth Energy, EPA must finalize its proposal by June 14, 2023.

A full copy of Skor’s remarks can be found here.