No. 167 March 18, 2021 ![]() TOP STORY Update from Kansas City: Year-Round E15 Authorized The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the removal of the low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) gasoline requirements in the Kansas City metro area, allowing for E15 fuel to be sold in the area year-round. CEO Emily Skor welcomed this announcement:
“This announcement is a big step for the Kansas City metro area and a continuation of the hard work that they have done to improve air quality and address environmental issues,” said Skor. “Allowing the year-round sale of E15 will help strengthen these clean energy efforts and give more Kansas Citians access to cleaner, more affordable fuel options. A recent report found that nationwide, switching from E10 to E15 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 20 million tons per year. Ethanol’s environmental benefits are tangible and will help continue Kansas City’s efforts to protect human health and contribute to our country’s overall efforts to decarbonize the transportation system.”
The Kansas City metropolitan area has dramatically improved its air quality, so much so that modification of the legacy vapor pressure limits could be re-evaluated by both the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Growth Energy has supported the efforts of our Kansas and Missouri members and stakeholders who have worked over the last three years to modify the requirements.
WORKING FOR YOU IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Growth Energy Begins Virtual Fly-In
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Discusses Biofuels IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Reminder: Tell EPA to Fix Onerous E15 Labeling and Remove Infrastructure Barriers IN OUR ASSOCIATION Future Farmers of America Host Emily Skor ON THE TRACK American Ethanol Gift Pack IN COMMUNICATIONS Brownfield Ag News: Growth Energy CEO Says She's Hopeful for Opportunities in Biofuels UPCOMING EVENTS
IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Growth Energy Begins Virtual Fly-In Growth Energy hosted its first Capitol Hill virtual fly-in of the year this week with our members meeting with Members of Congress to advocate on behalf of the biofuels and ethanol industries. This week's discussions with Congressional delegations from Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania centered around Growth Energy's federal priorities, including:
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Discusses Biofuels Last week, the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hosted a hearing titled, "Farmers and Foresters: Opportunities to Lead in Tackling Climate Change" to urge bipartisan action to help agriculture and forestry be a part of the solution.
“The climate crisis might seem insurmountable, but our farmers and foresters are an important part of the solution,” said Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in her opening statement. “Whether it’s a corn and soybean grower planting cover crops after harvest, or a dairy farmer installing solar panels on the roof of their barn, or a forester managing their land to grow more mature trees that hold more carbon – these climate-smart steps are good for the planet and good for business."
During the hearing, Senator Thune of South Dakota and Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota brought up biofuels and the recent study that found that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46% lower than gasoline. In response to their questioning, witness Clay Pope, Oklahoma wheat farmer, cattle rancher, and member of the National Farmers Union, said that he believes biofuels have a strong role to play in addressing climate change. For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS ![]() As rural communities continue to rebuild in the wake of COVID-19, and as motorists return to the roads, it’s critical that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) address the barriers that hold back the sale of higher ethanol blends like E15. Growing markets for biofuels could provide an economic lifeline for rural communities and ensure more motorists can enjoy cleaner, more affordable fuel options like E15.
The EPA is currently collecting comments on proposed new rules for fuel dispenser labels and fueling infrastructure for higher ethanol blends. With 95 percent of vehicles approved for E15 and 20 billion miles driven on the fuel, it’s time for EPA to fix the outdated and confusing fuel labels and clear hurdles to the sale of E15 through existing infrastructure. Expanding access to higher blends of ethanol will deliver immediate benefits for our environment and human health.
Join us today in calling on the EPA to help American farmers, biofuel workers, and motorists by fixing onerous labeling and infrastructure barriers to E15. The deadline to submit a comment is April 19th, 2021. Help us spread the word by sharing on your social media. Download our social media toolkit here. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. IN OUR ASSOCIATION Future Farmers of America Host Emily Skor CEO Emily Skor joined the National FFA Organization's #SpeakAg series to discuss the important partnership between farmers and the biofuels industry. She also debunked common myths about ethanol and explained important facts about its impact on agriculture, transportation, and the environment. Thank you, FFA, for hosting! For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
ON THE TRACK American Ethanol Gift Pack Treat yourself to official American Ethanol NASCAR memorabilia this year! The pack includes:
For more information, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh.
IN COMMUNICATIONS Brownfield Ag News: Growth Energy CEO Says She's Hopeful for Opportunities in Biofuels During an Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City webinar, CEO Emily Skor shared her optimism about the potential for the biofuels industry under the Biden administration.
On U.S .Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: “He’s intimately knowledgeable and familiar with ethanol and so we couldn't be happier to have someone from the Midwest, someone who understands biofuels, and the full proposition of ethanol in the USDA."
On EPA Administrator Michael Regan: “We look forward to engaging with him. He had some positive comments during the confirmation process, and I know he and Vilsack have already had some conversations about biofuels.”
The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published weekly by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org or visit our website GrowthEnergy.org. You're receiving this newsletter because you've subscribed to Growth Energy's The Weekly Rundown. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Copyright © 2020 Growth Energy. |