Calling on DOE to Set the Record Straight on the Lark Anti-Ethanol Study
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CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm this week calling on the department to address the most recent inaccurate and misleading study by Tyler Lark and others that claims to have been partially funded by the department.
Skor's letter points out that the study directly contradicts conclusions from DOE’s own Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model, which has been tracking the impacts of corn-ethanol’s lifecycle emissions since 1996. Last May, DOE’s Argonne National Lab stated that, “for the United States, biofuels like corn ethanol can play a critical role in reducing our carbon footprint.”
“Failing to address this research’s inconsistencies and departure from mainstream science could have negative consequences in our nation’s quest to decarbonize the transportation sector—both on the ground and in the air. According to recent research by the Rhodium Group, our industry’s contributions in reaching net-zero emissions targets and decarbonizing the transportation sector will be necessary,” wrote Skor.
“The ethanol industry is continually finding new ways to innovate and reduce emissions throughout its production cycle, including by creating new applications for hard-to-decarbonize industries like aviation. We must rely on the best and most widely accepted science to achieve our climate goals and attain net-zero emissions by 2050.”
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
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IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Make Your Voice Heard on the Home Front Energy Independence Act
WTAS: Congress Champions Biofuel As A Solution to Skyrocketing Gas Prices
Skor to Participate in ABLC Bioeconomy Policy Forum
White House Press Secretary on E15 Waiver: "In a menu of options"
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IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Growth Energy Submits Comments in Response to Proposed Wisconsin Fuel Regulation Changes
Stakeholder Meeting on Washington State Lifecycle Model
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IN OUR ASSOCIATION
Coming Up: Ag on the Mall
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IN COMMUNICATIONS
Blog: Food Prices Dictated by Oil, Not Biofuel
Podcast: Farmers Fuel America with Ethanol
Spread the Word: Gas Prices
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IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT
E15 Stations Grow by 12% in 2021
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National Ag Day on the National Mall
March 21 - 22, 2022
M-Pact April 19-21, 2022
Washington Watch | NAFB
May 2-4, 2022
Advanced Clean Transportation Expo May 9 - 12, 2022
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Make Your Voice Heard on the Home Front Energy Independence Act
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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.
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WTAS: Congress Champions Biofuel As A Solution to Skyrocketing Gas Prices
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Gas prices have hit historic highs and saving money at the pump has never been more top of mind for the American people. To address rising gas prices, a bipartisan group of biofuel champions in Congress is calling on the Biden Administration to increase access to high blends of biofuels like E15 (Unleaded 88) to save Americans money at the pump and bolster American energy independence.
From a bipartisan letter to President Biden to a clips on CNN and Bloomberg TV, our champions have made their voices heard loud and clear that biofuel is a solution to rising gas prices.
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Skor to Participate in ABLC Bioeconomy Policy Forum
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Today at 8AM ET, CEO Emily Skor will participate in the Bioeconomy Policy Forum at the 2022 Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC). During the panel, Skor will answer questions on how Growth Energy is addressing issues currently facing the biofuels industry, including recent comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 2020, 2021, and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), efforts to hold EPA accountable to finalizing the 2021 and 2022 RVOs, and work with Members of Congress to elevate biofuels as a solution to rising gas prices.
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In case you miss it, a recap of the panel will be included in next week's Weekly Rundown.
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White House Press Secretary on E15 Waiver: "In a menu of options"
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During a White House press briefing on Tuesday, a Reuters reporter asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki about a bipartisan letter, which Growth Energy supported, sent last week from senators urging Biden to permit the year-round sale of E15 and whether it specifically was an option to bring down prices. "In the menu of options," Psaki replied.
Last last week, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley spoke with Reuters about the multitude of calls from congressional champions to President Biden to authorize year-round E15, including the bipartisan Senate letter led by Sens. Thune (R-SD) and Durbin (D-Ill.) mentioned at the White House. In a release in support of the letter, CEO Emily Skor applauded the bipartisan message to President Biden on biofuels' role in addressing rising gas prices:
“The message from both sides of the aisle in Congress is clear – we need more homegrown, low-carbon solutions to address rising gas prices and shield American drivers from the continued volatility in the global oil market,” said Skor. “Biofuels are a ready solution to help provide consumers with lower costs at the pump. We welcome Sen. Thune and Sen. Durbin’s bipartisan letter to President Biden calling for increased access to higher blends of biofuels, like E15, across the nation and throughout the year to displace a greater share of imported oil.”
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John Fuher.
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Growth Energy Submits Comments in Response to Proposed Wisconsin Fuel Regulation Changes
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In response to proposed changes to fuel regulations in Wisconsin, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley submitted comments to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to express support for allowing common hose fueling and share a few edits.
"Today, 98 percent of all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10 percent ethanol, and E15 is now available at nearly 2,600 retail locations in 31 states and at 267 terminals. Consumers have now driven more than 25 billion miles on E15 and retailers have conducted millions of transactions with this fuel. There have been no adverse reports of fuel quality experienced with E15 since first being approved 11 years ago. There are retailers making significant investments in Wisconsin to offer a cheaper, cleaner fuel; the Department can take steps to support these local investments by including legally approved fuels."
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Stakeholder Meeting on Washington State Lifecycle Model
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The Washington State Department of Ecology held its stakeholder meeting on Tuesday where it unveiled its lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions model (Washington GREET). For indirect land use impacts or ILUC, they are proposing to use the same number as Oregon, 7.6 g CO2e/MJ (vs CARB 19.8 g CO2e/MJ). As a baseline for biofuels pathways, they intended to use the Washington-only crude with a gasoline calculation of 99.47 g CO2e /MJ, ULSD baseline of 100.83 g CO2e /MJ, and Jet 89.88 g CO2e /MJ.
The presentation from the webinar can be found here, the draft analysis of indirect land use change (ILUC) can be found here, and more information on the rulemaking can be found here.
We will continue to engage in Washington and the next stakeholder call is planned for April 13, 2022.
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
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Coming Up: Ag on the Mall
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Next week on March 21st and 22nd, Growth Energy and ClearFlame Engine Technologies together are attending the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall. The event will take place outside of USDA headquarters among the Smithsonian Museums and will feature America's farmers, ranchers, and agriculture innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology.
On display will be innovations in such product categories as: combines, seed traits, aerial application, data management, in-field conservation practices, creative chemistry, tractors big and small, and ClearFlame's one-of-a-kind Class 8 truck equipped with their innovative engine modification technology, enabling it to run on 100% ethanol without any petroleum fuel. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor and ClearFlame CEO BJ Johnson and CTO Julie Blumreiter will be present to promote the environmental benefits of higher blends of biofuels.
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.
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Blog: Food Prices Dictated by Oil, Not Biofuel
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves through the global oil markets, and everyone that depends on fossil fuels to make, market, or ship goods is taking a hit. If we want energy security and cost savings for consumers at the pump, we need more biofuels – not less.
Unfortunately, misinformation continues to spread about ethanol’s relationship to food prices. In an attempt at misdirection, anti-ethanol groups erroneously claim ethanol production exacerbates food prices, but nothing could be further from the truth.
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To set the record straight, check out Growth Energy's latest blog post, 'Food Prices Dictated by Oil, Not Biofuel, where we explain how biofuels and a strong food supply chain go hand in hand.
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Podcast: Farmers Fuel America with Ethanol
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CEO Emily Skor joined the Groundwork podcast to explain how farmers help fuel America.
“This really is an incredibly important vehicle for us to clean up the emissions in today’s car. You can make a simple change that will change the environment and do something better for our emissions and our planet and you can do this with the car that you’re driving right now," said Skor.
“If you look at the totality of scientific information… the overwhelming consensus is [ethanol is] less carbon intensive than gasoline and that advantage continues to grow."
“Our heritage is agriculture – so, it’s not just a job, it’s part of how they support their community and their family and loved ones,” Emily said of the hardworking men and women producing ethanol.
Thank you to our farmers and ethanol producers for working together to move our nation forward.
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Spread the Word: Gas Prices
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As you know, homegrown, renewable biofuels can play a critical role in reducing prices at the pump. In fact, if our nation moved to an E15 standard, consumers would save over $12 billion in fuel costs every year. To spread this message, we are looking for your help in snapping and sharing photos of gas prices across the country. If you happen to be at a gas station that sells E15 (Unleaded 88) over the next several days, be sure to snap a photo and send it to kwebster@growthenergy.org so we can continue to amplify on social media. We also encourage you to post on our own social media accounts and compiled a helpful sheet of talking points to assist.
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Elizabeth Funderburk.
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E15 Stations Grow by 12% in 2021
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Growth Energy saw a 12% increase in the number of stations selling E15 in 2021, growing from 2,302 in 2020 to 2,600 in 2021. Over 5,000 stations around the country are now offering higher blends and over 265 terminals offering pre-blended E15. This is a testament to the consumer experience and interest by retailers, and particularly impressive growth during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Growth Energy Market Development team is continuing their work directly with fuel retailers across the country to both maintain current sales of E15 and grow future sales of higher blends.
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz.
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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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