IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Growth Energy Welcomes ELEMENT as 100th Plant Member

For those of you who may have missed our big announcement this week, Growth Energy is proud to welcome ELEMENT, LLC as its newest member. The addition of the new Colwich, Kansas-based bio-refinery marks the 100th plant member for Growth Energy.

The Andersons, Inc. have partnered with ICM, a current Growth Energy member, to form ELEMENT, LLC, to build and operate a 70 million gallon per year facility that is expected to be the lowest environmental impact ethanol production facility in the United States. ELEMENT expects to commence production in the second quarter of 2019.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Growth Energy as ELEMENT builds the most technologically advanced and greenest dry mill ethanol plant in the world,” said Mike Irmen, President of The Andersons Ethanol Group. “Growth Energy has supported our industry for 10 years. We’re looking forward to tapping their knowledge and supporting the ethanol promotion effort.”

To see our full statement and quotes from The Andersons and ICM, visit our website.

For more details, contact Vice President of Development, Kelly Manning.

 ON THE HILL

Only 8 Days Left to Submit Comments for 2019 RVO Proposal!

If you have not done so already, we urge you to submit a comment on the 2019 RVO proposal through our action center to ensure that the EPA does not ignore the critical need to address refinery waiver handouts and the subsequent demand destruction of biofuel volumes.

Our action center is extremely easy to use and comments can be submitted in just a few short clicks. With only eight days left, submitting comments is a way for you, as members, to contribute to the continued growth and success of biofuels and to help strengthen the impact our association has on important regulation. 

In addition to submitting comments yourself, we encourage you to share the action center with others in your personal and professional networks. The action center will allow you to quickly post the link on social media, and we also ask that you send the link, www.growthenergy.org/action, to other potential advocates via email.

For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.

IN REGULATIONS

EPA NHTSA Released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for CAFE and GHG Emission Standards

Last Thursday, August 1, the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their proposed rulemaking the Safe Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, otherwise known as the Safe Vehicles Rule. This rulemaking would adjust the national automobile fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards, originally established under the Obama Administration. This would essentially propose “freezing” the vehicle standards at 2020 levels rather than getting increasingly more stringent, as was proposed by the Obama administration as well as the state of California. The proposal also revokes California’s ability to set more stringent standards as well revoking their authority to require so-called zero emission vehicles. Most notably for our industry, there is an entire section devoted to the discussion of octane and its potential ability to help automakers produce more efficient engines, and EPA is taking specific comment on this issue.

The biofuels industry and automakers industries have long accepted the benefits of high octane, mid-level ethanol blends have on improving fuel octane. This latest proposal from the EPA and NHTSA, therefore, takes a large step forward in explicitly recognizing the benefits of high-octane fuel in improving engine efficiency. The proposal specifically asks for comments on how increased octane would improve fuel economy and prevent GHG emissions. You may recall that Growth Energy has been leading since 2012 when we first submitted a high octane, E30 fuel to EPA and California for vehicle certification and in-use exactly to help address the vehicle emission and fuel economy standards. There will be a 60 day comment period on the rule as well as three public hearings to be scheduled in the near future in Washington, DC, Detroit, MI, and Los Angeles, California. We are planning to submit comments and to appear at one of the upcoming hearings.

Additional information on EPA’s rulemaking can be found on their website.

For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.

AROUND THE GLOBE

United Kingdom E10 Consultation Update

As you may have seen the United Kingdom has initiated consultations on whether and how to possibly implement a 10 percent ethanol blend (the current limit is 5 percent). The rulemaking seeks feedback on: proposals to ensure a continued supply of traditional E5; evidence on whether and how best to introduce E10; proposals to implement new fuel labeling; and plans to change the consumer message that must accompany the sale of E10. There is a great deal of information on the UK consultation page, including impact assessment documents and labeling requirements.The consultation is part of the UK’s “Road to Zero” initiative to reduce CO2 from transportation. The comment period is open until September 16th and Growth Energy is working with our industry partners to file comments.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Released Record Setting 2018 Ethanol Export Numbers

In spite of trade limiting policies in key markets such as the EU and China, US exports of ethanol are continuing at an impressive pace. Government numbers issued last Friday showed US exports of ethanol at 927.7 million gallons (mg) through June, 2018.  While few expect those numbers to double by year end, many expect that 2018 will be a record export year for the US ethanol industry. With current exports seeing an increase of 33 percent from 2017 to 2018, in the first half of the year, there is reason to be optimistic.

Exports to Brazil continue to dwarf other markets year to date, coming in at 345.9 mg. For perspective the US shipped 445.6 mg of ethanol to the country for the entire calendar year in 2017. Totals through June 2018 are already 30% higher than 2016 total calendar year sales of 267 mg. The story lines to other destinations were relatively quiet. Exports to China were expectedly disappointing with no exports going out in the past few months, as 70 percent tariffs continue to prohibit US product from working into the country. Canada, on the other hand, continues to be on a similar pace as the same period one year ago, at 159.5 mg versus 148.9 mg in 2017. While the shipments to India through June, 2018, at 70.1 mg were less than 2017’s 85.1 mg, they more than double 2016’s pace of 27 mg. Growth Energy will continue to monitor ethanol's trade outlook and keep you apprised of any changes.

For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Market Craig Willis.

AT THE PUMP

Growth Energy's Mike O'Brien to Lead Webinar for Fuel Retailers on Benefits of E15

Growth Energy Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien will present a webinar on Thursday, September 6th for fuel retailers looking to increase their sales by offering E15.

The webinar will be moderated by Convenience Store News Editorial Director, Don Longo, and, in addition to hearing from Mike, Afshin Mohamadi, a Principal at Quadrant Strategies, will present. Attendees will gain insight from these industry experts who will present on the most up-to-date E15 consumer research, layout the best marketing practices with E15, and examine case studies of specific branding efforts, promotions, and marketing.

Registration is now open for this free webinar to be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 2 PM ET. For more information on the event and to register, go here. You won't want to miss this opportunity to hear how Growth Energy continues to lead the industry in biofuels market innovation.

Quiz: Which Retail Partner Has More than 300 Locations Selling E15?

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Larry Schutzberg to Serve on Buckman's Board

ON THE TRACK

Deric Kramer Makes Yet Another Final Round in NHRA Northwest Nationals

Deric Kramer made his second-consecutive final round appearance in his American Ethanol Chevrolet Camaro last weekend in the 31st annual Capshot NHRA Northwest Nationals! Deric has been a serious contender this year in the NHRA Pro Stock series and continues to string together strong performances. He defeated fellow drivers Drew Skillman, Erica Enders, and Bo Butner before ultimately falling short to Tanner Gray in the final round. This was Deric’s fourth appearance in a final round this year.

“After two runner-up finishes in a row, I’m really hungry for another win,” Kramer said. “I always want a win, but I know it’s important to go rounds and collect bonus points as often as we can, so we can stay in the top ten before the Countdown. Once we get into the Countdown, I think we’ve got a real chance at this.”

For more details, contact Manger of Communications, Austin Dabney.

The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published 51 times a year by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org. 

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