| No. 241, September 8, 2022 |
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Next Week: Growth Energy Biofuels Summit in Washington, D.C. |
Next week, almost 100 Growth Energy members will gather in Washington, D.C. for the 2022 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit. Attendees will meet with Members of Congress and their staff to drive home our message of the importance of bioethanol in a low-carbon future, the savings at the pump drivers have seen this summer thanks to E15, and the need for a permanent fix for year-round E15 and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard. Members will also hear from some of Washington's top policymakers and get insights on how Growth Energy is driving change and working harder than ever to unleash the full potential of this industry - from expanding consumer access to higher blends to advancing new incentives for sustainable aviation fuel.
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. |
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State Updates: Washington and Oregon Coming Up: EPA Workshop on Biointermediates Compliance and the RFS Update on Rail Labor Negotiations |
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Approves Nomination of Doug McKalip to Key USTR Ag Position
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#3 Get Bioethanol Chevy on the Track This Weekend in Kansas City |
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Biofuels Summit Sep. 12 - 15, 2022 Washington, D.C. NACS Show
October 1 - 4, 2022 Las Vegas, Nev.
Export Exchange 2022 October 12 - 14, 2022 Minneapolis, Minn.
Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers Association (SIGMA) November 8-10, 2022
Hollywood, Calif. NAFB Trade Talk November 16-17
Kansas City, Mo. |
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In response to the Washington Department of Ecology’s proposal to implement a statewide clean fuel program, Growth Energy submitted comments last week calling on the Department to consider the vital role of biofuels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as it works to reshape |
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Washington’s fuel mix to make it more sustainable.
"We continue to urge the Department to further develop clear policies that recognize the realities of today’s fuel market and examine how homegrown biofuels can immediately contribute to achieving GHG reductions,” wrote Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. “In fact, a recent study from Air Improvement Resources found that if Washington converted completely to E15, it could reduce GHG emissions by 334,000 tons per year – the equivalent of taking 73,000 cars off the road annually.”
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has proposed a rulemaking to adopt by reference California's Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which, if implemented and finalized, would transition all new light-duty vehicle sales in Oregon to zero-emissions by 2035. The rule also includes updates to the Low Emissions Vehicle program rules to ensure |
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they are identical to California's current light duty vehicle emission standards. To review the proposed rulemaking, DEQ will host a webinar on Tuesday, September 20th. |
Coming Up: EPA Workshop on Biointermediates Compliance and the RFS |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual workshop on September 29th from 1-4PM ET on the new biointermediates provisions of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The RFS final rule for years 2020, 2021, and 2022 contained new provisions for the use of certain biointermediates to produce qualifying renewable fuels and specified requirements that apply when renewable fuel is produced through sequential operations at more than one facility. Additionally, the new provisions cover the production, transfer, and use of biointermediates and new regulatory requirements related to registration, recordkeeping, and reporting for facilities producing or using a biointermediate for renewable fuel production.
The virtual public workshop will provide the opportunity for EPA to update stakeholders on how to register and comply with the new requirements and generate RINs. |
Update on Rail Labor Negotiations |
As we have noted in previous newsletters, President Biden signed an executive order appointing a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to resolve the ongoing negotiations between the national railroads and labor unions. The PEB issued its 119-page report which recommended a retroactive pay increase for rail workers for 2020 and 2021 and additional pay increases through 2024. Overall, the recommendations are a 22-24% pay increase over 5 years, including 14% effective immediately.
The railroads have now reached a tentative agreement on these provisions with three of the rail unions representing 11-15% of the workforce, but negotiations continue to set a broader agreement in place. To that end, Growth Energy is working with the larger Ag Transportation Working Group to submit a letter to the appropriate Congressional committee chairs urging Congress to intervene to avert a strike should an agreement not be reached by September 16th. We will continue to update you here on the ongoing negotiations.
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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U.S. Senate Finance Committee Approves Nomination of Doug McKalip to Key USTR Ag Position |
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Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved Doug McKalip’s nomination as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), setting up a full Senate vote. The USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator position has been vacant since 2020 and Growth Energy supports a swift confirmation of Mr. McKalip so he can lead USTR's efforts to support the large role our rural |
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communities play in the global economy, particularly in keeping costs down at the pump and decarbonizing the transportation sector. Once confirmed, we look forward to working with Mr. McKalip to maintain and open new global export markets for America’s biofuel producers and farmers. |
For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. |
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#3 Get Bioethanol Chevy on the Track This Weekend in Kansas City |
The #3 Get Bioethanol Chevy is headed to Kansas City this weekend to race in the heart of ethanol country. Sunday's race comes on the heals of Austin Dillon's exciting win in Daytona which secured him a spot in this year's NASCAR playoffs. This weekend, we'll also be honoring the lives lost 21 years ago on September 11th. Be sure to tune in, salute our flag, and cheer on the #3 car! |
For more information, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh. |
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The Weekly 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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Copyright © 2022 Growth Energy. |
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