TOP STORY

Growth Energy Calls on Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to Veto Attack on E15

On Tuesday, Growth Energy sent a letter to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb urging him to veto SB 303, legislation that would destroy demand for E15, a fuel blend with 15 percent ethanol.

“Make no mistake, SB 303 was designed to stall new competition at the fuel pump and prevent more consumers from saving three to 10 cents per gallon on a lower-carbon, higher-octane fuel blend,” said CEO Emily Skor. “In the wake of COVID-19, the last thing Indiana’s economy needs is an assault on ethanol producers and our farm suppliers across the entire state. If the governor allows this anti-E15 bill to become law, Indiana farm families are going to be reminded of it every time they fill up at the pump.”

The letter further states that, “SB 303 seeks to limit sales of E15, a 15 percent ethanol fuel blend, by mandating unnecessary warning labels on E15 fuel dispensers that serve only to confuse consumers and add completely unnecessary redundancy to already burdensome federal labeling requirements. This legislation also muddies key regulations in a manipulative attempt to obstruct additional retailers from offering E15.”

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

State E15 Update: Iowa

In the Iowa state legislature, House and Senate legislation to standardize and expand access to E15 is anticipated to pick up steam in the coming days and weeks. E15 has already proven popular with Iowa drivers, is compatible with today’s infrastructure, and saves motorists an average of three to 10 cents per gallon. Expanding the E15 market would grow corn markets by 23 million bushels and inject $140 million into Iowa's economy.

We are ramping up promotion and excitement for this E15 legislation across Iowa as we support state and federal efforts to standardize E15 as a cleaner, more affordable renewable fuel nationwide. Expanding access to E15 is also a top priority of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' for the session. We look forward to these bills being considered on the floor of the State House and Senate.

Reminder: Tell EPA to Fix Onerous E15 Labeling and Remove Infrastructure Barriers

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 MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Prime the Pump: Thorntons Goes Green with E15

Thorntons started introducing E15 to its guests in the Chicago market about five years ago. While Illinois farmers rank second in the country in corn production, biofuels weren’t something Thorntons’ urban customers were necessarily familiar with. So Thorntons made education about E15 a priority, with training modules for their team members and lots of visual marketing on-site and at the pump for their guests, said Lee Stevens, Fuel Supply Manager for Thorntons.

“At the time when we got in, it was before most of the competition was marketing E15,” Stevens said. “So it was a great opportunity for us to give our guests something new.” 

Much of Thorntons’ initial success with E15 in the Chicago market can be attributed to the Prime the Pump initiative. 

“Thorntons is among 20 of the largest retail chains in the United States offering its customers E15,” said Mike O’Brien, Vice President of Market Development for Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuel trade association. These retailers represent about 15 percent of the total U.S. fuel market.  

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

IN COMMUNICATIONS

Tune In: CEO Emily Skor Joins Mike Adams on Agriculture

CEO Emily Skor joined Mike Adams on Agriculture to discuss the pending HollyFrontier v. RFA Supreme Court case and Growth Energy's recent amicus brief submitted on the case. Emily and Mike also discuss the opportunities on the horizon for biofuels through the recently announced USDA assistance program for biofuels producers and President Biden's American Jobs Plan.

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Rep. Feenstra Visits Golden Grain Energy

Yesterday, U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) toured Golden Grain Energy's 130 million gallon plant in Mason City, IA -- home of the worlds largest grain bin! We're grateful to have Rep. Feenstra's support for ethanol in Congress. 

Letter: Make Biofuels a Primary as Fuel Demand Increases

Following Growth Energy's Congressional fly-in meetings, Kelly Nieuwenhuis shared feedback in a letter to the editor in the Sioux City Journal:

"This month, I joined biofuel leaders from across rural America, who gathered virtually to update our lawmakers on the industry’s top priorities. Organized by clean energy advocates at Growth Energy, we were privileged to meet with Iowa leaders like Rep. Randy Feenstra and Sen. Joni Ernst, who shared their time and continued support for ethanol and a strong RFS."

Nieuwenhuis went on to expand on some of Growth Energy's key issues shared with Members of Congress during the fly-in meetings, including biofuels' essential role in updates to American infrastructure and clean energy plans.

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:

• 2x3 American Ethanol flag
• 1:24 American Ethanol die cast 2021 ZL1 Camaro
• 1:64 American Ethanol matchbox car 2017 Camaro

For more information, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh.

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. 

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