No. 30, May 2, 2018 
IN REGULATION EPA Issues Small Refinery Waiver for Icahn-Linked Refinery 
It has been reported that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has granted an undisclosed waiver to CVR, a refinery owned by billionaire Carl Icahn, allowing the company to bypass its biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). As Emily Skor said in an official statement: "This is just one more example of the EPA taking money out of the pockets of American farmers and undermining President Trump’s promises to rural communities. The EPA is giving refineries everything they want, at the expense of rural families, while refusing to move forward on the president’s pledge to lift barriers against year-round sales of E15." For more details, contact Vice President of Government Relations John Fuher.
WORKING FOR YOU
ON THE HILL IN THE STATES
California Low Carbon Fuel Standard AT THE PUMP Minnesota Has Become Ground-Zero for E15AT THE PLANTS Member of the Week: Farm Credit Services of AmericaIN COMMUNICATIONS Growth Energy Radio Ad Launches Today IN THE FASTLANE American Ethanol to Set Up Shop at Formula Drift AtlantaUPCOMING EVENTS
ON THE HILL Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on EPA to Follow Through on President's Promise to Farmers. In their letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the bipartisan group of senators asked for a timeline of the rulemaking process to allow higher ethanol blends access to the market. They also asked the Administration to allow year-round sales of E15 this summer. The president understands that lifting outdated government regulations restricting the year-round sale of E15 is the right path forward, and given the explosion of small refinery waivers being granted by the EPA, year-round sales should not require any refinery-driven trade-off. We are grateful to our champions in Congress for pushing the EPA to make good on the president’s commitment to year-round E15 sales, and encourage you to thank the Senators who signed onto the letter on Twitter. For more details, contact Vice President of Government Relations John Fuher. 
IN THE STATES Louisiana Anti-Discounting Legislation 
Representative Lance Harris (R) has introduced legislation that would ban fuel retailers in Louisiana from using Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and "other financial savings" to reduce the price they charge for motor fuels. The legislation was approved by the full House several weeks ago and is pending in the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill sponsor owns and operates convenience stores and the legislation has the support of the Louisiana Oil and Gasoline Marketers. We’re engaging allies and have retained local counsel to help work against this legislation.The Louisiana Farm Bureau has also come out in opposition to this legislation. We will keep you updated accordingly. California Low Carbon Fuel Standard 
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is holding a hearing this Friday on potential amendments to the low carbon fuel standard. Growth Energy has and continues to stay actively engaged to keep the California market accessible for Midwestern starch ethanol, and filed comments in line with our work to maintain access to this market. Information about the hearing and the LCFS can be found here and our full comments can be accessed here. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
AT THE PUMP Minnesota Has Become Ground-Zero for E15 
In October 2013, Minnoco first announced that they were installing E15 at many of their stations. Due to the partnership with Growth Energy, Prime the Pump, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Corn Growers and Promotion Council, four Minnoco locations were able to begin offering E15. This small start for E15 quickly grew into more than 38 locations in three short years. Then in April 2017, Lacrosse, Wisconsin based retailer Kwik Trip began adding E15 to more than 350 of their stations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. E15 is a competitive option at the pump in large part because it saves drivers money compared to standard gasoline. Minnoco blazed the trail for E15 in Minnesota by being the first to offer the blend, and Kwik Trip’s aggressive strategy for rapidly incorporating E15 into its fuel portfolio fostered a unique set of circumstances that has created market pressure for other retailers to follow suit to remain competitive. Holiday Super Stores has since begun offering E15 at more than 25 of its Twin Cities locations. Today, thanks to our relationship with our partners and the unique market pressures created by the rapid introduction of E15 into the area, there are more than 260 E15 retail sites in Minnesota. Minnesota now has the most E15 sites compared to any other state by a considerable margin. For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien. AT THE PLANTS Member of the Week: Farm Credit Services of America 
Name of company and city/state in which you’re located: Farm Credit Services of America, HQ Omaha, NE; 42 offices in four states (IA, NE, SD, WY) Please list members of your senior leadership team and their titles:
How long has the company been in operation? Farm Credit Services of America is part of the Farm Credit System, a $248-billion nationwide network of lending institutions, established in 1916.
Farm Credit Services of America is owned by its more than 50,000 stockholders/customers.
We became a member of Growth Energy in 2010. What do you consider some of your company’s main accomplishments?
What do you like about being a member of Growth Energy? Any other fun facts? FCSA returned over $1.15 million in cash back dividends to its ethanol producing customer-owners for calendar year 2017! For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning IN COMMUNICATIONS Growth Energy Radio Ad Launches Today A new Growth Energy radio ad launched today is reminding listeners across the heartland that it’s “make or break time” for the rural economy. Slated to air alongside a digital ad campaign in Midwestern states, the radio spot encourages listeners to join Growth Energy in calling on President Trump to lift federal restrictions on the sale of E15 fuel blends, a move that would boost farm income amid the sharpest agricultural downturn since the 1980s.
Visit the Growth Energy Action Center to be a part of this effort!
IN THE FASTLANE American Ethanol to Set Up Shop at Formula Drift Atlanta 
American Ethanol is traveling to Georgia with Kyle Mohan next weekend for Formula Drift Atlanta! The Formula Drift season is well underway, and we are going to be hosting an at-track engine performance workshop with Kyle at his pit area during halftime of the event. This is our first time hosting a workshop at a Formula Drift round, so we are very much looking forward to working with Kyle to engage drift fans and car enthusiasts as part of the at-track fan experience. We’ll be passing out some American Ethanol promotional items and educational materials while Kyle talks shop about the benefits of American Ethanol! Keep an eye on our social media channels next weekend for coverage of the event, and watch for a recap in our weekly American Ethanol Performance Update that comes out every Friday! For more details, contact Manager of Communications Austin Dabney 
The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published 51 times a year 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. |
