IN REGULATIONS

Growth Energy Launches Action Center for EPA RVO Proposal Comments

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency published its 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) proposal in the Federal Register and will be accepting comments through August 17, 2018. In response, Growth Energy has launched an action center to help members submit comments and ensure that the RFS is upheld. The recently released proposal increases the overall volume of RVOs by around 3 percent, through advanced biofuels, while both corn ethanol and biodiesel numbers remained the same.

While the increase in RVO numbers is good for the biofuels industry, it is meaningless if not paired with a halt to the issuance of refinery waivers to 'small' refiners. The aggressive misuse of these waivers has led to an estimated loss of 2.25 billion gallons in biofuel demand in 2016 and 2017 alone. The 2019 RVO proposal does nothing to reallocate these lost gallons and doesn't restore gallons lost from the 2016 RVO. We encourage members to visit our action center and share the link on their social media with professional friends and contacts to ensure that the RFS is upheld and lost biofuel demand is restored. A draft social media post, with a link, can be found in the action center along with more information on how the EPA has failed to uphold the law under the RFS.

As a reminder, the EPA will hold a public hearing to be held in Ypsilanti, Mich. on July 18, 2018 for the proposed rule "Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2019 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2020,” commonly referred to as the 2019 proposed RVO hearing. Growth Energy will be testifying at the hearing, and we encourage Growth Energy members to testify as well. If you are interested in testifying and would like more details, please do not hesitate to contact Growth Energy’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley. If you missed Growth Energy’s statement on the 2019 proposed RVOs, you can find it here.

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

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Archer Daniels Midland Joins Growth Energy

We are proud to announce that Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has joined the Growth Energy association as a producer member. ADM is one of the largest ethanol producers in the country and produces over a billion gallons of ethanol each year. Founded in 1902, ADM employs approximately 31,000 employees in more than 170 countries. Producing both ethanol and its co-products in eight plants throughout the Midwest, ADM is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and also provides a wide range of food and animal nutrition solutions to customers around the world.

ADM is a welcome addition to our association and their membership marks an important milestone in unifying the voice of biofuels nationwide. We look forward to integrating them into the incredible network of producer plants and associate members that we have built over the years, and, with such a diverse and robust association, we will continue to lead the way for the biofuels industry and reinvigorate rural America.

Reminder: All Member Call 

Growth Energy is holding an all-member call on Monday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. CDT). We encourage you to join us for this update from Growth Energy's senior leadership. Add this to your calendar. Dial-in and slide webcast information can be found below. 

For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

 ON THE HILL

Wheeler Takes Over EPA Following Pruitt Resignation

Following former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's resignation last Thursday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler has taken over the agency. It remains unclear how the President will proceed in regards to naming a new nominee for confirmation, following the departure of Pruitt. With mid-term elections coming up, our intelligence suggests that lawmakers are split on whether or not to attempt confirming a new nominee prior to the election cycle. In either case, Growth Energy looks forward to working with the EPA to ensure the RFS is upheld and that refinery waivers are no longer handed out to refiners seeing record high profits. We will continue to monitor this situtation and keep you updated.

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

AROUND THE GLOBE

Biofuels on Pace to Have Record Export Year 

Despite facing trade barriers in large markets abroad, the U.S. remains on pace to have a record year for biofuels exports in 2018. U.S. Census Bureau data released Friday indicated that, while the pace of exports slowed down in May to 91.9 million gallons (mg) versus 162.3 mg in April, shipments year-to-date remained 182 mg ahead of 2017, which was a record year for the industry. Year-to-date ethanol exports total 776 mg through May and are set to continue the trend record highs through the end of the year, with slowdowns being attributable to Brazil's own biofuels market. 

While exports to Brazil slowed down significantly to 9.5 mg versus 61 mg in April, the slowdown was widely expected as Brazil's sugarcane harvest officially started in April. As a result, longtime US export stalwart Canada regained its top spot in May, after a six month absence having been pushed aside by Brazil.

The effects of uncertainty around increasing tariffs in the standoff between the US and its trade partners have been felt primarily in the agricultural sector. Despite this, global demand for biofuels continues to drive exports.

For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Market Craig Willis.

AT THE PUMP

American Drivers Have Now Logged 5 Billion Miles on E15

Yesterday, Growth Energy announced that American drivers have now logged 5 billion miles on E15. Despite being in the heart of the Reid Vapor Pressure regulatory period, more commonly known as RVP season, consumers continue to seek out E15 as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative at the pump. During summer months, consumers only have access to E15 in Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) markets or if they drive flex fuel vehicles. Through building fuel infrastructure and legislative advocacy, Growth Energy hopes to bring E15 to consumers looking a cheaper, healthier option at the pump.

“To keep this incredible momentum, a year-round RVP fix is crucial,” said Skor. “E15 retailers face prohibitive costs each year just to relabel every pump around RVP season, while consumers lose options at the pump when gas prices are highest, and our rural economy suffers.”

Working hand-in-hand with Prime the Pump, Growth Energy has doubled the number of E15 stations four years in a row to include 1,400 stations across 30 states. In addition to the stores currently selling E15, Growth Energy and Prime the Pump have secured commitments for more than 2,800 retail sites that will offer E15 by 2021, generating approximately 350 million new ethanol gallons annually. Growth Energy will continue striving to improve the nation's biofuels infrastructure to keep the growth of the past year going strong.

Check Out the Results from Last Week's Quiz

Last week we asked you who you thought had the coolest company logo from among our retail partners. You all came out in force for Minnoco, with Kwik Trip coming in a close second! Stay tuned in coming week for further quizzes and surveys.

For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien.

IN THE FAST LANE

American Ethanol Honored Veterans at Daytona 

The NASCAR Salutes campaign culminated this past Fourth of July weekend at Daytona International Speedway with the Coke Zero Sugar 400. American Ethanol participated in this great program for the second year in a row, hosting a group of military veterans employed at Growth Energy member companies and their families for an unforgettable day at the track. Our group of vets was joined by Growth Energy board member Tom Willis for a VIP experience courtesy of Richard Childress Racing, where they got an inside look at everything that goes into preparing a NASCAR team for race day. The group had the chance to meet with Austin Dillon and Richard Childress before Austin climbed into the No. 3 car to hit the track, and were able to enjoy the race from New Holland’s suite.

As an added bonus, Austin Dillon ran extremely well in his first return to Daytona since capturing the Daytona 500 crown in February of this year, earning a top-10 finish. We also had a video crew on site to interview our veterans about their experiences in the military and in the biofuels industry, and talk about how and why the biofuels industry is so patriotic. Content from the race can be found on the American Ethanol social media channels (@americanethanol on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram), and we’ll be using the video interviews in other content throughout the rest of the season.

There’s only a few more weeks until or next paint out for the No. 3 car, so be on the lookout for that at the end of July!

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. 

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