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Celebrating Earth Day with Biofuels

Tomorrow is Earth Day, a global celebration of our planet and efforts to protect it. It's also an important opportunity to amplify the role that biofuels can play in reducing emissions and improving our environment for future generations. Please join us in celebrating!

Biofuels like ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% compared to gasoline, and as President Biden said last week in Iowa, "we can't get to net-zero without biofuels."

We're going to keep hammering this home with our champions on Capitol Hill, policymakers in Washington, and drivers across the country. To help spread the word, check out some highlights of biofuels' contributions to the environment below:

Delivering an Immediate Impact

• Biofuels like ethanol reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent compared to gasoline.
• Today, a simple move to E15 would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 17.62 million tons -- the equivalent of taking 3.85 million cars off the road each year.
• Increased blends of ethanol means less pollution and healthier communities. A study by the University of California Riverside found that ethanol blends reduce toxic emissions by up to 50 percent, including smog-producing pollutants and ultra-fine particulates.

Providing a Diversity of Fuel Sources

• An analysis by the Rhodium Group released in January 2021 found that biofuels are a mainstay for any climate strategy looking to attain net zero emissions by 2050.
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that 80% of the vehicle fleet will be internal combustion engines and that gasoline will continue to dominate the sector even by 2050.

Developing New Markets and Applications

• The development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using ethanol would result in a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces.
• The biofuels industry is incentivizing sustainable agricultural practices to lower carbon emissions and is investing heavily in carbon capture and sequestration, which reduces ethanol's carbon intensity score by 25 - 30 points.

The more these messages are shared, the louder our voice is on the environmental benefits of biofuels. If you plan on sharing these statistics on social media for Earth Day, we also have a collection of social media graphics and videos for you to download and use below!

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

IN COMMUNICATIONS

Setting the Record Straight on Smog

President Biden's announcement last week on the emergency RVP waiver for E15 was welcome and exciting news for our entire industry. Unfortunately, some outdated myths about the relationship between E15, air quality, and smog have resurfaced in response to the announcement. While Growth Energy works to correct these claims in the media, we wanted to share our resources and make sure you are armed with the facts to refute them as well.

E15 Has Lower Vapor Pressure Than E10

E15 is a fifteen percent ethanol blended fuel with a lower vapor pressure than E10 (a ten percent ethanol blend). However, due to regulations set 30 years ago, when blending beyond ten percent had yet to be envisioned, E15 has been locked out of the summer market. In fact, fuel volatility and evaporative emissions continue to decrease when ethanol fuel blends increase beyond E10.

Interview with Dr. Andy, ECR Engines

Dr. Andy Randolph, technical director of ECR Engines, joined Agritalk radio to debunk myths about fuel vapor pressure, emissions, and smog. "E15 is a better fuel from a smog standpoint and from a price standpoint," explains Dr. Andy. Tune in by clicking the link below!

Skor: Year-Round E15 Means Cleaner Options at the Pump

Live from Menlo, Iowa, CEO Emily Skor joined Iowa Agribusiness Radio on Tuesday, April 12th to explain how President Biden's announcement to allow the sale of E15 this summer will not only increase access to cost-savings at the pump, it will help our nation move toward our goal of net-zero emissions.

"E15 is a fuel that can be used in 96% of the cars on the road today," explained Skor. "It's lower-carbon and it's lower-cost, so today's consumer can use it in her vehicle. As we are looking toward our climate agenda and reducing our on reliance on foreign oil and fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, E15 is one of the tools in the toolbox."

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

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Gov. Ricketts Signs Legislation to Encourage Rural Development & Promote Ethanol Sales

This week, Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska signed LB 1261e into law to provide tax credits to fuel retailers selling E15 or higher blends of ethanol. Retailers can apply to the Nebraska Department of Revenue for a credit of 5 cents on each gallon of E15 sold and 8 cents per gallon of E25 or higher blends sold.

“LB 1261e will help to grow Nebraska agriculture and attract investment in our rural communities,” said Gov. Ricketts. “The bill also encourages fuel retailers to offer higher ethanol blends.  Increasing the use of ethanol saves drivers money at the pump, cleans up our environment, and creates opportunities for our farmers and ranchers.”

Thank you Governor Ricketts for supporting access to higher blends of biofuels!

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

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Des Moines Register: Thank You Biden Administration For Supporting Year-Round E15

Access to E15 this summer would not have been possible without the support of President Biden, Secretary Vilsack, Administrator Regan and champions on Capitol Hill like Rep. Cindy Axne. This week in The Des Moines Register, we thanked these leaders in Washington for lifting the summertime E15 waiver ahead of June 1st. We look forward to continue working with them to make this fix permanent!

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

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