TOP STORY

Growth Energy Ad Campaign Presses E15 Fix to Deliver Relief at the Pump 

Growth Energy launched a new ad campaign calling on President Biden to direct his administration to lift restrictions on the year-round sale of E15 to boost energy security and combat the surge in fuel costs accelerated by the conflict in Ukraine. The campaign is currently running on FOX, MSNBC, and CNN in the Washington, D.C area. It will run until June 1, when many retailers will be forced to pull E15 from the market due to oil companies’ successful challenge in court to eliminate this fuel choice.  

“The White House says all options are on the table to ease surging gas prices, and E15 is a common-sense solution that can deliver immediate relief at the pump,” said CEO Emily Skor. “Biofuels are a homegrown, plant-based solution that can further reduce our dependence on foreign oil and shield American drivers from the volatility of the oil market. Right now, U.S. ethanol is available at a deep discount, but consumers can’t tap into those savings without access to higher biofuel blends like E15.  

“In some markets, E15 is already saving drivers 50 to 60 cents per gallon, but that option could vanish on June 1 unless the Biden EPA takes swift action. Given the current crisis, we simply can’t afford for outdated summertime restrictions to get in the way of clean, affordable biofuels made in the United States. The time to act is now.”  

Available at more than 2,500 gas stations across 31 states, E15 is approved for more than 96 percent of light duty vehicles, which account for 98 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Even before the recent run up in oil prices, it was estimated that nationwide access to E15 could save drivers $12.2 billion annually in fuel costs. 

For more information, please contact Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Elizabeth Funderburk.

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Growth Energy Applauds U.S House Action to Expand E15 in Response to Rising Gas Prices

CEO Emily Skor applauded members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for introducing the Home Front Energy Independence Act (H.R. 7175). In response to rising gas prices and the global energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine, this legislation would make the sale of E15 year-round permanent, create a tax credit for higher biofuel blends, streamline E15 labeling, provide funding for E15 infrastructure, extend the biodiesel tax credit for three more years, and ban imports of Russian petroleum products.

“We have an opportunity to lower prices at the pump today for American drivers by increasing access to E15 fuel,” said Skor. “As gas prices across the country hit historic highs, higher blends like E15 have been selling for, in some instances, more than 50 cents cheaper per gallon. The Home Front Energy Independence Act would increase access to these cost savings across the country and all year long.

“The war in Ukraine has also thrown America’s reliance on foreign oil, and the market uncertainty it creates, into the spotlight. The Home Front Energy Independence Act would boost U.S. energy security by increasing the supply of lower-cost, homegrown biofuels available to drivers.”

H.R. 7175 is the House companion bill to S. 3787, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

Make Your Voice Heard on the Home Front Energy Independence Act

Gasoline prices have surged to record levels as war in Ukraine inflames the global energy crisis. For too long, the U.S. has relied heavily on foreign sources of petroleum and petroleum products — like Russia — to meet our nation’s energy demands — leaving American drivers at the mercy of volatile energy markets. Fortunately, U.S. leaders have an opportunity to provide American consumers with immediate relief from high gas prices at the pump.  

Introduced by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Home Front Energy Independence Act would: 

• Codify the ban on imports of Russian petroleum; 
• Make the sale of E15 year-round permanent; 
• Create a tax credit for higher biofuel blends; 
• Streamline E15 labeling; 
• Invest in E15 infrastructure; and 
• Extend the biodiesel tax credit by three years. 

If enacted, this bill will help stop Russia from profiting off U.S. drivers and boost U.S. energy security by increasing the supply of lower-cost, homegrown biofuels available to motorists. 

Review: ABLC

Last week, CEO Emily Skor participated in the Bioeconomy Policy Forum at the 2022 Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC). During the forum, Skor highlighted the work that Growth Energy members are doing to lead in clean energy innovation, including SAF and carbon capture. Skor also noted that the U.S. cannot achieve its climate goals without biofuels and that Washington needs to implement clear regulations and consistent policy in order to support clean energy efforts.

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

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Brazil’s Suspension of Ethanol Tariff Welcomed as Opportunity

Brazil has temporarily lifted its 18 percent tariff on all U.S. ethanol as of Wednesday, March 23 and running through the end of the year as a means of decreasing inflationary pressures. Below is a joint statement from Emily Skor, CEO, Growth Energy; Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO, U.S. Grains Council; and Geoff Cooper, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association:

“We are pleased to see the temporary elimination of the 18 percent tariff, which should improve access for Brazil’s ethanol consumers as well as help Brazil meet its own decarbonization goals. This is an issue we have been working on for a number of years in meetings and correspondence with officials from Washington to Brasilia.

“We welcome this decision and see it as an opportunity to continue discussions with Brazil to expand the global use of low-carbon ethanol, reduce barriers to trade and elevate its prominence in energy discussions. Our hope is that with this action, Brazil and the U.S. will share with third parties the vision of free and open global ethanol markets.

“We will continue to pursue a long-term, open and mutually beneficial ethanol trading relationship with Brazil as we work to make this temporary reduction permanent. We look forward to continuing to work closely with USDA and USTR to return to a fair and reciprocal trading relationship with Brazil regarding ethanol.”

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz.

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Update: E15 in Phoenix 

As you may know, the greater Phoenix area in Arizona is one of the three remaining areas that does not allow the sale of E15, in addition to California and Montana. In some good news out of Arizona this week, the state is moving to update its Clean Burning Gasoline regulation to remedy this and allow E15 to be sold in Phoenix. 

The Arizona Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Services Division will host a workshop on Tuesday, April 12 at 9:00 a.m. to review proposed changes to the Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 7. During this workshop, they will review Article 7, Motor Fuels and Petroleum Products, including proposed changes to allow the sale of E15 in the Cleaner Burning Gasoline area. Growth Energy plans on participating and working to finalize the change. Stay tuned for more updates.

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

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Growth Energy Partners with Clear Flame at Ag on the Mall

This week, we celebrated the latest innovations in modern agriculture on the National Mall in DC. There's nothing like showcasing those who are making incredible strides to lead the way in clean energy. During Ag on the Mall, Members of Congress, Biden Administration officials, staff, and visitors stopped by the Growth Energy tent to find out more about biofuel's role in reducing emissions. We were also pleased to partner with ClearFlame Engine Technology for the event, who brought their 100% ethanol-fueled truck to downtown DC!

Tomorrow's World Today: Can Biofuels Solve the National Gas Crisis?

Gas prices in the United States have skyrocketed, nearing the highest levels in the country’s history. On March 6, the national average for a gallon of gas hit $4.009, and in the week of March 21st, the national average increased to $4.25—the highest it has been since 2008. One possible solution? Affordable, readily available, and American-made biofuels.

Last March, POET joined Tomorrow's World Today for a segment on the basics of biofuels and how they can help the environment. This week, Tomorrow's World Today highlighted the segment, but this time, in terms of how biofuels can address rising gas prices. 

“Now more than ever, America needs to assert its energy independence, and American-made biofuels are a critical step to help us get there," said Doug Berven, VP of Corporate Affairs at POET. "POET produces homegrown, sustainable biofuels that are more affordable, readily available, and compatible with the current infrastructure and vehicles on the road today. The facts show that the more bioethanol we blend into our fuel, the more Americans and our economy benefit”.

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

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