No. 174 May 13, 2021
TOP STORY ELC 2021: Framing the Future ![]() Last week, we hosted our 12th Annual Executive Leadership Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. We were thrilled to gather with Growth Energy plant members and innovators and discuss our industry’s ambitions and bold plans for the future. CEO Emily Skor kicked off the week with a speech that highlighted three key priorities to drive biofuel demand: increasing access to higher blends nationwide, positioning biofuels as a climate solution in policy discussions, and expanding consumer awareness of biofuels, as well as how these priorities fit in with the new Biden Administration's agenda. ![]() Following Skor's speech, attendees heard from industry experts on topics like expanded market development for E15, efforts to promote higher blends in the states, future opportunities in the ethanol market, and low-carbon opportunities for our industry. For full details on panel discussions, click here. ![]() During the Conference, we unveiled a new consumer initiative to raise awareness of biofuels' positive environmental benefits and encourage consumers to choose higher biofuel blends like E15 at the pump. The Get Biofuel campaign aligns biofuel benefits with an empowerment message titled "Fuel Beyond." Take a look: Thank you to all who attended ELC. For those who were not able to make it, we hope to see you in person soon.
WORKING FOR YOU IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ELC in Review: Messages from EPA Administrator Regan, USDA Secretary Vilsack, South Dakota Governor Noem, and Iowa Governor Reynolds IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS State Update: Indiana IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT Growth Energy Names Michael Lorenz as Head of Market Development IN OUR ASSOCIATION Growth Energy Welcomes New Member Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience
Fluid Quip Announces High Quality Alcohol System Installation IN LEGAL EPA Moves to Vacate Last-Minute SREs IN COMMUNICATIONS Tune In: CEO Emily Skor on AgriTalk Radio UPCOMING EVENTS
IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ELC in Review: Messages from EPA Administrator Regan, USDA Secretary Vilsack, South Dakota Governor Noem, and Iowa Governor Reynolds Along with biofuels champions in Congress, EPA Administrator Regan, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds virtually addressed this year's Executive Leadership Conference to share their support for the biofuels industry. ![]() A video and highlights from Administrator Regan's virtual appearance will be available shortly. ![]() USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack: “I’m certain that the USDA and this administration understand and appreciate the need to ensure renewable liquid fuels continue to have the infrastructure and support to offer consumers a sustainable option as society transitions away from fossil fuels. Moreover, the production of renewable fuels is essential to putting bio-based manufacturing at the center of a renaissance in rural America." South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem: "Growth Energy does great work on behalf of the ethanol industry -- I don't need to remind you of how important a thriving biofuels industry is to our nation...All in all, ethanol contributes over $4 billion to South Dakota's economy. We know how vital ethanol is to South Dakota, so that's why as governor I worked to promote and increase its consumption. I encouraged and worked with President Trump to lift restrictions on year round sales of E15." ![]() ![]() Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds: "As you know better than anyone, biofuels are the renewable energy of today and tomorrow. They bolster demand for our corn and soy that's grown by our farmers, reduce emissions, lower prices at the pump. and will help sustainably power America's economy well into the future." For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS State Update: Indiana ![]() The Indiana state legislature returned to session this week but did not take up a potential override of the Governor veto's of SEA 303. As a reminder, in April, Indiana Governor Holcomb vetoed SEA 303, legislation that would have stalled sales of homegrown biofuels by mandating confusing labels on E15 fuel dispensers and muddying key regulations on retailers seeking to offer the lower-cost blend. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
IN MARKET DEVEOPMENT Growth Energy Names Michael Lorenz as Head of Market Development ![]() Last week, CEO Emily Skor announced that Michael Lorenz will join the company as Senior Vice President of Market Development, overseeing the global and domestic expansion of higher ethanol blended fuels. In a statement, Skor welcomed Lorenz, a long-time industry ally, to the organization:
“For years, Mike has been an invaluable asset to growing the retail footprint of higher ethanol blended fuel, like E15, around the United States. He was a key voice for biofuels in the White House in the midst of our E15 year-round push and is a tremendous advocate for higher-blend adoption abroad.
“As part of Growth Energy’s senior leadership team, Mike brings decades of experience leading fuel supply for Sheetz—the nation’s largest independent fuel retailer. In his prior role, he was instrumental in making Sheetz an early mover on E15.
“Mike has worked closely with Growth Energy over the years through the Prime the Pump initiative, and he joins a strong commercial team with a proven track record. We look forward to capitalizing on his fuel market expertise to continue building our momentum and ensuring that low-carbon, plant-based biofuels like ethanol are more accessible at home and abroad,” said Skor.
Lorenz added, “Growth Energy has been the undisputed leader in E15 market expansion and in taking higher ethanol blends to new heights internationally, and I am excited to join a terrific team to continue elevate both our domestic and international efforts. Having spent my career in the petroleum sector, I’m eager to add additional perspective to help Growth Energy continue its leadership in the fuel marketplace and pursue opportunities for the biofuels industry to make an impact on meeting global climate goals.”
Lorenz brings extensive knowledge of petroleum refining, international oil trading and supply and wholesale and retail gasoline/diesel marketing to Growth Energy. Most recently, he served over 20 years as Executive Vice President, Petroleum Supply, for Sheetz, Inc. where he oversaw the fuel supply for 600 stores in six states and initiated the company’s first renewable and alternative fuels program. Earlier, Lorenz held positions at ExxonMobil and Mobil Oil Corporation, including two stints abroad in the Netherlands and England. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz. IN OUR ASSOCIATION Growth Energy Welcomes Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience ![]() Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience have joined as Growth Energy’s newest plant member. Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience operate a dry corn mill headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wis., and have a 50-million-gallon ethanol plant co-located on site. With its operations, Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience have produced ethanol, dried distillers grains, corn oil, industrial alcohols and other specialty products for over 45 years. CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement welcoming Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience to Growth Energy:
“We are honored to have Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience join Growth Energy and be a part of our mission to provide more drivers with plant-based biofuels like ethanol,” said Skor. “Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience’s diverse production, including biofuel, DDGs and food ingredients, as well as their nearly fifty years of industry experience will provide an invaluable point-of-view was we look ahead to the future of biofuels.”
“Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience is thrilled to be joining Growth Energy and help support growing the markets for the great products we make right here in the state of Wisconsin,” said Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience CFO Luke Burmeister.
Learn more about Didion Milling and Didion Bioscience, their team, and operations on their website here.
Fluid Quip Announces High Quality Alcohol System Installation Fluid Quip Technologies (Fluid Quip) yesterday announced it will install a High- Quality Alcohol (HQA) system at the Three Rivers Energy Coshocton, Ohio biofuel plant. The HQA installation will enable Three Rivers Energy to produce high quality and high purity GNS alcohol for the global sanitizer and disinfectant markets. In addition to the HQA system, Fluid Quip will also construct and install a high efficiency distillation system for the biofuel production portion of the plant, lowering the overall cost to produce biofuel.
“We are entering a new age for high-quality alcohol production,” said Neal Jakel, managing director for Fluid Quip Technologies. “The Fluid Quip, High Quality Alcohol system will allow biofuel manufacturers like Three Rivers to produce sustainable, high-quality beverage grade alcohol, while using less energy than traditional alcohol production systems.”
For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
IN LEGAL EPA Moves to Vacate Last-Minute SREs On May 3rd, Growth Energy welcomed news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to vacate three last-minute SREs issued on January 19, 2021 and to remand to EPA for further consideration:
“EPA is addressing the previous administration’s mishandling of the SRE program, including the midnight-hour grants of three SREs to Sinclair. We are hopeful that EPA will continue to rein in the SRE program to achieve its limited purpose and ensure that the RFS advances the biofuels industry today and in the years to come,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. For more information, please contact General Counsel Joe Kakesh.
IN COMMUNICATIONS Tune In: CEO Emily Skor on AgriTalk Radio CEO Emily Skor joined AgriTalk Radio's Chip Flory during National Biofuels Month to discuss the latest on the Colonial Pipeline, working with EPA Administrator Michael Regan, and Growth Energy's new consumer campaign, Get Biofuel. Tune in!
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