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This week, Growth Energy welcomed industry leaders from across the U.S. to Washington, D.C. for the 15th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS). 

The summit kicked off Tuesday, September 10 and will continue through today. The first day of GEBS featured an event program filled with influential guest speakers, including keynotes from Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and other sessions featuring government officials and energy industry leaders like U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, and Ernest Moniz, 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy and CEO and founder of Energy Futures Initiative Foundation (EFIF) (pictured directly below).

In CEO Emily Skor's keynote, she focused on policy priorities that deliver on values shared across the political spectrum. Those include finalizing timely and accurate guidance for the 45Z tax credit, setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that align with current market conditions, and securing a permanent, year-round solution for E15 access nationwide. 

“You aren’t just representatives of a crucial sector,” remarked Skor. “You are ambassadors for the future that our nation deserves … Because what’s good for biofuels, producers, and the entire bioeconomy is good for working families on a budget; good for energy security and independence; good for environmental stewardship and decarbonization; and good for economic development in communities that need it most.” 

Following Skor's speech, attendees heard from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who provided insights into the Administration’s vision for biofuels in its broader decarbonization strategy. 

"Our ability to utilize climate, smart agriculture, in conjunction with the development of biofuels that are made from those feedstocks will provide leadership in the entire economy to show folks that there's economic opportunity connected to clean energy production and climate smart energy production," remarked Vilsack. 

Biofuels Summit attendees also heard from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, who engaged in a conversation with Skor about the successes and challenges facing the biofuel industry today.  

Yesterday GEBS continued as attendees fanned out across Capitol Hill to share their stories with lawmakers and present Fueling Growth awards to the industry’s most steadfast champions.

Fourth from left, Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) pictured with Growth Energy members and CEO Emily Skor (fourth from right).

On left, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and right, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).

Thanks to everyone--attendees, speakers, presenters, staff, and sponsors--for making this year's GEBS such a success!

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

LATEST EIA DATA

Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 13.3 BGY, down 5.1% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 5.1% from last week, at 130.0 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.1 and 137.6 BGY (+0.9% YoY). With last week being the week following the Labor Day holiday weekend, lower week-on-week demand change was typical due to retail outlets fuel supply patterns around long holiday weekends (receiving more before and less the week after).

Ethanol production was 16.6 BGY last week, up 1.8% versus the week before, and 5.4% more than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 1.7% (+5.0 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 3.4% (+0.6 MG). Capacity utilization of plants online was 92.2% overall, 93.1% in the Midwest, and 79.0% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,027 MGY of capacity shutdown at 22 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 87.2% overall, 91.4% in the Midwest and 49.3% in the other regions.

Exports were an estimated 30.7 MG last week based on 140 MG of exports forecast for August and 130 MG forecast for September.  The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.

Overall inventory was up 27.3 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks increased 15.1 MG, and regional changes were: East (+15 MG), Gulf (-4 MG) and West (-3) Coasts and the Midwest (+6 MG). In-transit inventory increased 12.2 MG.

Based on the total inventory of 1,604 MG on Sep 6th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 40.9 days of supply, up 0.9 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 36.7 days of supply, up 0.8 days versus a week ago.

For more information, please contact Jake Comer.

WORKING FOR YOU

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get Bioethanol NASCAR Go Bowling at the Glen

Watkins Glen, NY

September 15, 2024

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Summer has come to a close, but you can still join Growth Energy in choosing the lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel option, E15. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) joined the challenge by sharing a video of himself on social media speaking of the benefits of the higher blend of bioethanol and reminded viewers that E15 is saving drivers money at the pump. Check it out here. 

We must continue to make our argument for year-round E15 to the EPA, on Capitol Hill, and in state legislatures around the country. We've found that a picture really is worth a thousand words. Next time you fill up with E15, take a picture (like the one above) and share it with us! We'll put your photos to good use telling the story of how E15 saves drivers money. Email them to hcullen@growthenergy.org.   

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

IN LEGAL

This week, Growth Energy filed two petitions for rehearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit regarding the Court’s decision – unsealed in August – on small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The first petition seeks to have the court correct errors that led to its rejection of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to deny several oil refiners’ SRE petitions. The second petition asserts Growth Energy’s standing to challenge EPA’s decision to excuse some of those same refiners from RFS biofuel blending obligations.

“These petitions are consistent with how the RFS should work,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Congress clearly intended for SREs to provide rare relief for refineries, and only those seeking to comply in good faith with their RFS blending obligations. If the D.C. Circuit’s opinion stands, guardrails to ensure good faith compliance will disappear, allowing refineries to gamble on RIN markets, pocket any windfalls, and lean on the U.S. government when those gambles don’t go their way."

Get the full story here. You can read a full copy of the first petition here and the second one here.

For more information, please contact General Counsel Joe Kakesh.

IN MEMBERSHIP

As a reminder, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) will host public informational meetings in 23 counties across the state regarding the expansion of the carbon pipeline to be built by Growth Energy Member Summit Carbon Solutions. The meetings are an important opportunity for residents to learn more about the project, the benefits of carbon capture, and the steps Summit is taking to ensure safety and environmental protection. 

Here are the next upcoming meetings. To view the full slate of meeting dates, click here.

Date: September 13 at 12 p.m.

Location: Viaduct Center, 255 US Highway 69 St., Garner, IA 50438
Docket: HLP-2024-0010

Date: September 16, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Location: Eagle Center, 401 Smith St., Lakota, IA 50451
Docket: HLP-2024-0010

Date: September 17, 2024 at 12 p.m.

Location: Iowa Lakes Community College, Half of Fourplex, 3200 College Dr., Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Docket: HLP-2024-0011

Date: September 17, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Location: Occasions, First Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301 
Docket: HLP-2024-0012 

Date: September 18, 2024 at 12 p.m.

Location: Melvin American Legion Community Building, 225 State Highway 313, Main Street, Melvin, IA 51350
Dockets: HLP-2024-0014 

Date: September 18, 2024 at 6 p.m.

Location: Primghar Community Center, 215 First St. S.E., Primghar, IA 51245
Docket: HLP-2024-0013, HLP-2024-0014

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

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The 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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