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With continued inflation and volatile gas prices, higher blends of biofuels like E15 (UNL88) have saved American drivers as much as $1 per gallon at the pump – all while reducing emissions and supporting economic growth across rural America. In fact, the popularity of higher bioethanol blends is rising faster than ever, and American drivers have now logged more than 100 billion miles on the road using E15.   

Unfortunately, these cost savings could vanish from many markets on June 1, 2024, due to outdated federal restrictions on summer sales of higher bioethanol blends.  

Last year, the Biden administration waived E15 restrictions on an emergency basis for the summer to deliver relief at the pump, and this year should be no different. America is the world’s largest producer of biofuels, and we should be making use of our full capacity in the push for affordable, cleaner energy. 

Additionally, global fuel supply issues persist, given the unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Red Sea shipping routes.

Join us in calling on lawmakers to press the Biden administration for action on an emergency RVP waiver ahead of the start of summer driving season.  

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

LATEST EIA DATA

Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 14.5 BGY, up 6.0% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was up 6.0% from last week, at 141.6 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.1 and 137.2 BGY (-0.5% YoY).

Ethanol production was 16.4 BGY last week, up 1.8% versus the week before, and 7.2% more than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 1.6% (4.7 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 6.4% (0.9 MG). Capacity utilization of plants online was 92.8% overall, 94.7% in the Midwest, and 65.3% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,157 MGY of capacity shutdown at 24 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 87.1% overall, 92.3% in the Midwest and 40.6% in the other regions.

Exports were an estimated 29.4 MG last week based on 130 MG of exports forecast for March. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.

Overall inventory was up 3.8 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks increased 13.6 MG, and regional changes were: East (-2 MG), Gulf (+6 MG) and West (-4 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (+13 MG). In-transit inventory decreased 9.8 MG.

Based on the total inventory of 1,893 MG on March 29th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 48.8 days of supply, down 0.2 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 44.0 days of supply, down 0.2 days versus a week ago.

For more information, please contact Jake Comer.

WORKING FOR YOU

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall 

Washington, D.C.

May 6-8, 2024

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop

Minneapolis, Minn.

June 10-12, 2024

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will be hosting a Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ virtual Summit starting Monday, April 8th. A detailed agenda for the two-day event was just released, highlighting expected speakers such as Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Dr. Jennifer Aurandt-Pilgrim, Vice President of R&D at Marquis; Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of LanzaJet; and many more. 

Industry and laboratory experts, congressional members, and government agencies will provide updates on the objectives, progress, priorities, and future plans for the seventh DOE Energy Earthshot™. 

You can register for this virtual event here and read the full agenda here.

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

As we continue to make our argument for year-round E15 to the EPA, on Capitol Hill, and in state legislatures around the country, we've found that a picture really is worth a thousand words. If you see an example of significant cost savings at a fuel station near you, take a picture and share it with us! We'll put your photos to good use telling the story of how E15 saves drivers money. Email them to hcullen@growthenergy.org.  

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

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

This week Andrew Falco, Growth Energy’s Market Development & Analytics Manager, traveled to Indianapolis for the annual M-PACT Conference. M-PACT is a premier fuel and convenience event held in the Midwest that hosts industry leaders from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. Falco met with retailers to discuss Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) funding, specifically with the Indiana Corn and Soybean Association and Indiana Food and Fuel Association, to discuss future partnerships that benefit retailers.

For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer.

IN MEMBERSHIP

Growth Energy member Whitefox Technologies has announced plans to install their Whitefox ICE® membrane dehydration system at IGPC Ethanol Inc.'s plant located in Aylmer, Ontario. This landmark project will be Whitefox’s first opportunity in Canada and will assist IGPC in lowering their carbon intensity (CI) score.

Paul Morin, IGPC Director of Operations said “we are very excited to have a Whitefox ICE system integrated into our distillation area. This system yields many benefits that align with our strategic goals. It will help us lower our CI all the while reducing the strain on our sieves and making a more user-friendly distillation system.” 

“We are delighted to have partnered with IGPC on this project and excited as this represents our first installation in Canada," said Jackie Hayes, Whitefox Business Development Manager North America. "Whitefox has had a strong presence in Canada for over 20 years, as it is home to our Engineering and R&D centers in Calgary. Once the Whitefox ICE® solution is installed, it will assist IGPC to achieve key strategic objectives of Canadian biofuels policy – to make more fuel ethanol gallons in Canada, with reduced carbon intensity – and do so with lower energy and operating costs.”  

Read more about the installation here. 

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

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The Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published weekly by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org or visit our website GrowthEnergy.org. 

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