No. 19; Feb. 14, 2018 
AT OUR EVENTS "IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT" AT 2018 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2018 Executive Leadership Conference last week! It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones as well. We hope you left Florida confident that while the road ahead is not always clearly marked, Growth Energy is "In the Driver’s Seat" when it comes to shaping our growth and prosperity, and we seize opportunities at every turn to map out a strong future for the biofuels market. If you didn't attend ELC, make sure to click here and watch the 2017 recap video we debuted! On day one of the conference, a panel of current and former leaders of the nation’s agriculture advocacy groups, led by Jeff Broin, chairman and CEO of POET, discussed the connection between biofuels and the current economic situation in America’s agriculture landscape. The panel compared today’s farm economy to the ag crisis of the 1980s, noting the role the biofuels industry played in pulling America’s farmers through those hard times. Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union, stressed that biofuels remain key in moving commodity prices higher. ELC attendees also heard about Growth Energy’s strategic partnerships with automotive experts to educate mechanics and consumers on how ethanol delivers optimum engine performance. Dana Perino, the former White House press secretary, current Fox News commentator, and our keynote speaker, shared valuable insights during an entertaining look at politics that included stories from when she served under President George W. Bush as well as from today's super-charged environment.
Her address was followed by a panel discussion on challenges and opportunities in global markets, titled “Other Side of the Road: Global Markets,” and the "Partnering to Expand E15: A Look Beyond the Grants,” panel on how Growth Energy’s partnerships with retailers have led to the expansion of E15 availability and rapid consumer adoption. We strongly value your feedback and want to ensure that we continue to improve your conference experience every year, so please let us know how we did by completing the post-event survey by 12:00 pm EST on Thursday, Feb. 15. Please check your email for the link to the survey! For more details, contact Senior Director of Operations & Programming Kitty Loyd.
WORKING FOR YOU
AT OUR EVENTS ON THE HILL Update on Government Spending Where PES Bankruptcy Stands AT THE AGENCIES RFS Point of Obligation and RVO Litigation IN THE STATES Washington LCFS AT THE PUMP A Closer Look at the 2018 America's Fuel Award Recipient: Joel Hirschboeck AT THE PLANTS UPCOMING EVENTS
AT OUR EVENTS Congratulating the 2018 Growth Energy Award Winners 
Presented during a ceremony last Thursday, Feb. 8, at ELC, these awards serve as markers to the rest of the biofuels industry that these businessmen and women have gone above and beyond in their service. The 2018 recipients include:
(bottom row, from left)
For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.
ON THE HILL Update on Government Spending Congress passed another temporary funding patch early in the morning of Friday, Feb. 9. While it funds the government through March 23 of this year, the deal also set overall spending levels for fiscal 2018 and 2019, hopefully providing a pathway to a full-year government funding bill. In addition, the deal extended the cellulosic and biodiesel tax credits retroactively for 2017. Growth Energy, along with fellow stakeholders, is pushing for these credits to be extended for 2018 as well. Lastly, the next funding bill may also contain a fix to the Sec. 199A issue that has affected agriculture markets. Where PES Bankruptcy Stands We continue to follow the evolving bankruptcy story surrounding Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) as the company seeks options for shedding its blending-related financial obligations. PES’s case is now being heard by the District of Delaware bankruptcy court. The refinery is scheduled to submit a brief on RIN issues on March 12, with objections to the bankruptcy plan due a week later on March 19. This case is part of an ongoing situation that will ebb and flow depending on media coverage: Growth Energy’s communications, government relations, and regulatory affairs teams are working in close coordination to engage when and where appropriate. For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
AT THE AGENCIES RFS Point of Obligation and RVO Litigation On Friday, Feb. 9, Growth Energy filed motions to intervene in court cases that were filed by the oil refiners. These cases are meant to challenge EPA’s decision to leave the point of obligation unchanged as well as to challenge the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). You may recall that Growth Energy was successful in defending the RFS via litigation last summer. That case sought to preserve the 15 billion gallon conventional biofuel level in the 2014-2016 RVOs. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
IN THE STATES Washington LCFS Legislation implementing a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in Washington state (which would require a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2028) was approved by the House Transportation Committee on February 6. The bill now goes to the state's House Rules Committee before being called to the House floor for consideration. The deadline in Washington state for bills to be approved out of the House in order to move to the Senate is today, Feb 14. We continue to stay closely engaged on this legislation in order to ensure that the market continues to be open to ethanol blends, and we will continue to keep you updated. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
AT THE PUMP A Closer Look at the 2018 America's Fuel Award Recipient: Joel Hirschboeck 
Joel Hirschboeck, general manager of fuel marketing and fuel procurement at Kwik Trip, was recognized with the 2018 America's Fuel Award—an honor that recognizes the work Hirschboeck has put in to help grow the biofuel industry. The America’s Fuel Award is presented every year to an individual who has gone above and beyond. Previous winners include former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; retired four- star General Wesley Clark; Founder and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, Richard Childress; Growth Energy Board Co-Chair Tom Buis; and former Iowa Governor and Ambassador Terry Branstad. Hirschboeck's leadership and vision have positively impacted the growth of the entire biofuels industry as he has led one of the most aggressive efforts to expand the E15 market. Under his leadership, Kwik Trip rolled out 300 E15 sites in just four months and ushered in a new model for E15 expansion. He willingly shares his vision and his retail marketing experience of renewable fuels through various industry share groups, conference attendance, and webcasts. Take advantage of an upcoming opportunity to learn from Hirschboeck himself, alongside Growth Energy’s Vice President of Market Development Mike O’Brien, by registering for a webcast taking place on Thursday, March 1, at 2:00pm CT. During the webcast with Ethanol Producer Magazine, you'll hear more about Kwik Trip’s game-changing E15 strategy. To register, click the below: For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien. 
AT THE PLANTS Member of the Week: Show Me Ethanol 
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. Show Me Ethanol is up next!
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. |
