No. 16; Jan. 24, 2018 
IN THE PRESS DEFENDING THE RFS FROM OIL INDUSTRY ATTACKS 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES), an oil refinery in Pennsylvania, announced on Sunday that it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As you may have seen in the news, the refinery and other oil-industry backers have tried to blame the bankruptcy on so-called “burdens” associated with RFS compliance, even though study after study, including EPA’s own assessment, has shown that biofuels are not the cause of PES’s problems. The refinery has been on the brink of bankruptcy off and on for the last decade, and instead of updating its business model to blend biofuels, PES’s owners have sought to scapegoat the RFS. Further, PES continued to decline after major oil companies lifted the ban on crude oil exports. Now those same companies want to use PES as a public relations tool against competition from homegrown biofuels. The RFS has been law for over 12 years, and refiners have had ample time to incorporate biofuels into the mix. The Growth Energy communications, government relations, and regulatory affairs departments are working this week in order to make sure that the media and our audiences on the Hill and at the agencies understand the facts. We will make sure to keep you updated as the story progresses. For more details, contact Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Hogan.
WORKING FOR YOU
ON THE HILL Monitoring the Cornyn Conversation Sec. 199a Talks Continue Administrator Pruitt to Testify AROUND THE WORLD Filing Comments in Canada AT THE PUMP E15 Hits Another Major Milestone Responding to PMAA AT THE PLANTS FEATURED MEMBER EVENT UPCOMING EVENTS
ON THE HILL Monitoring the Cornyn Conversation Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.)'s office has been hosting talks on altering the nation’s biofuels program and RFS for several months, but there have yet to be any solid policy proposals. Ideas discussed range from creating national octane standards to creating new supports for cellulosic ethanol, or even further subdividing the system for biofuel credits. The Growth Energy government affairs team is keeping track of the suggestions and concepts and will continue to advocate for a solution that works for all members. Sec. 199a Talks Continue As discussed last week, an unintended wording in the tax reform bill allows farmers to take a 20 percent income tax deduction off the gross value of their grain sales to co-op grain buyers. In contrast, grain sales to non-co-op buyers are only allowed a 20 percent deduction off the net proceeds of that sale. Negotiations for a compromise have been ongoing, but were interrupted by the recent federal government shutdown. Now that the Hill is back to business, we will continue working toward a fix. Administrator Pruitt to Testify The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has formally slated EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's first return to the panel since his confirmation hearing. The hearing, entitled "Oversight Hearing to Receive Testimony from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt," is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 10:00 am EST. The hearing will be live-streamed at this link. For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
AROUND THE WORLD Filing Comments in Canada As you may recall, the Canadian province of Ontario has proposed to go to a 10 percent ethanol blend rate as part of their effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Regulators are considering allowing a mix of higher ethanol blends, such as E15 and E85. On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Growth Energy, along with the U.S. Grains Council, filed additional comments in support of the proposal. If finalized, this will be a win for Canadian consumers, the ag economy, and for our strong bilateral ethanol trade with Canada. Additionally, Canada’s national government agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued a regulatory framework for a clean fuel standard in December. The stakeholders held their first meetings on the standard in Ottawa last week. Chris Bliley, Growth Energy’s vice president of regulatory affairs, participated in the meetings alongside representatives from the U.S. Grains Council and representatives from Renewable Industries Canada, which represents Canadian biofuel producers. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
AT THE PUMP E15 Hits Another Major Milestone 
Last week, Growth Energy announced that American drivers have logged yet another billion miles on clean-burning E15 in just the past three months. The total number of miles driven on E15 now sits at more than 3 billion. Growth Energy works with Prime the Pump to give more Americans the choice of E15 at the pump. We are proud to partner with leading retailers including Casey’s, Cenex, Family Express, Kum & Go, Kwik Trip, MAPCO, Minnoco, Murphy USA, Protec Fuel, QuikTrip, RaceTrac, Sheetz, and Thorntons to offer E15 to customers at more than 1,300 stations across 29 states. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said, “Consumers are reaching for E15 because it provides unrivaled value that benefits their engines, the environment, and their wallets. This is how the number of E15 sites has doubled in 2017 for the fourth year in a row,." To find your nearest E15 or E85 station, visit GetBiofuel.com and make sure you're following us on Twitter and Facebook! Responding to PMAA Last week, OPIS reported that the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to examine E15 labeling on dispensers and price signs, claiming that names other than "E15" are misleading to consumers and could void their car warranties. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor responded with the following statement: “American drivers have surpassed more than 3 billion worry-free miles on E15, which is cleaner burning and has higher octane. It's a smart choice for drivers who want better engine performance and lower emissions for the environment. It is approved for use in 2001 and newer vehicles, as well as in all flex-fuel vehicles, which combined represent more than 87 percent of vehicles on the road. A federally required E15 label is already in place to mitigate misfueling, so PMAA’s meritless claims are nothing more than an attempt to limit market access for a fuel that’s a success with consumers wherever it is available; to deny consumers cleaner, low-cost fuel options; and to preserve a near monopoly for fossil fuels. Even PMAA admits that consumers prefer E15 when it is available at the pump.” For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien. 
AT THE PLANTS Member of the Week: Lincolnland Agri-Energy, LLC 
Growth Energy is excited to continue our new regular Weekly Rundown feature: Member of the Week! Each week, we'll introduce you to one of our association's members and get to know them on a more personal level. Lincolnland Agri-Energy is up next!
Growth Energy represents 88 producer plants and 81 associate members, making it the most influential trade group of the ethanol industry. If you are interested in learning more about membership, or know someone who is, please contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning at kmanning@growthenergy.org or (605) 201-3518. FEATURED MEMBER EVENT Bio-Processing Leadership Summit 
WHO: Presented by Christianson CPAs & Consultants; ERI Solutions, Inc.; Fremont Water Solutions; Phibro Ethanol Performance Group WHAT: The Bio-Processing Leadership Summit (previously the Bio-Refinery Leadership Conference) is structured to cover several hot topics in detail so attendees can take information back to their company and implement changes immediately. This year, the focus is on protecting your assets and maximizing the return for your company. Presenters will discuss understanding and preventing wear and tear of your capital assets, maintaining or improving efficiencies in your processes, benefiting from and complying with California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, new engineering and technology advancements (both large and small) that will help improve your bottom line, and financial stewardship for your shareholders. WHEN: March 19-21, 2018 For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.
The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members, published by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org. You're receiving this newsletter because you've subscribed to Growth Energy's The Weekly Rundown. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Copyright © 2018 Growth Energy. |
