TOP STORY

Last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced the appointment of Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor was among the list of names appointed to serve on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.

The committee is one of seven agricultural trade advisory groups created by Congress to ensure that U.S. agricultural stakeholders have input and insight into U.S. trade policy and negotiating objectives. Skor is joined on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee by other senior representatives from across the U.S. agricultural community who will advise the USDA and the USTR on overall trade policy matters.

"The USDA and USTR play a vital role in unlocking foreign markets for American farmers and biofuel producers, and I’m honored to support that mission as a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee," Skor said. "Growth Energy members understand the importance of trade to rural America, and we are committed to working alongside our allies in the agricultural sector to expand economic opportunities around the world."

This group of appointed advisors will serve until 2028. A complete roster of members and additional information about the committees is available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.

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

LATEST EIA DATA

Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 14.1 BGY, down 3.1% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 3.1% from last week, at 137.5 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.3 and 139.7 BGY (+1.5% YoY).

Ethanol production was 16.4 BGY last week, down 3.8% versus the week before, and 1.8% more than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was down 3.5% (-10.9 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was down 7.8% (-1.5 MG) mainly in the Gulf Coast. Capacity utilization of plants online was 91.1% overall, 92.1% in the Midwest, and 76.5% 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 86.2% overall, 90.4% in the Midwest and 47.6% in the other regions.

Exports were an estimated 31.9 MG last week based on 150 MG of exports for July and 140 MG for August.  The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.

Overall inventory was up 7.5 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 8.7 MG, and regional changes were: East (-6 MG), Gulf (-7 MG) and West (-3) Coasts and the Midwest (+7 MG). In-transit inventory increased 16.2 MG.

Based on the total inventory of 1,568 MG on Aug 2nd and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 39.7 days of supply, up 0.7 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 35.4 days of supply, up 0.7 days versus a week ago.

For more information, please contact Jake Comer.

WORKING FOR YOU

UPCOMING EVENTS

Growth Energy Biofuels Summit

Washington, DC

September 9-12, 2024

Learn More

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Last week, Growth Energy’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley submitted written comments in response to the New Mexico Environment Department’s Advisory Committee’s technical report on the state's upcoming Clean Transportation Fuels Standard (CTFS).

Bliley's comments focused on bioethanol's ability to reduce New Mexico’s carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Specifically, if New Mexico replaced E10 with E15 fuel, it would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state by 146,000 tons, according to a national analysis Bliley referred to in his comments. "This is the GHG reduction equivalent of removing 32,000 vehicles from New Mexico’s fleet just by using a higher ethanol-blend fuel," Bliley said. 

Additionally, the comments focused on ensuring that the Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model was used in fuels’ life cycle analysis, since GREET recognizes the widest array of carbon reduction practices at the plant and on the farm, including carbon sequestration and climate-smart ag practices.

The New Mexico Environment Department will be formulating the CTFS over the coming months. Growth Energy will remain engaged and continue to advocate for bioethanol’s role in the program.

You can read our full comments here.

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Growth Energy's Andrew Falco presents to meeting attendees.  

Growth Energy's Market Development team hosted an in-person pre-event advisory meeting on August 5, attended by retail and fuel executives from 13 retail companies representing over 2,000 retail sites. The Biofuels Education Workshop covered topics such as the E15 and E85 biofuels landscape, effective marketing strategies, retailer first-hand perspective and experience, and regulatory considerations. The meeting's open format fostered a conversational environment, providing retailers interested in E15 with critical information and insights.

For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer.

IN MEMBERSHIP

Last week, Growth Energy's SVP of Development Kelly Manning (pictured above, second from right) traveled to Kearney, Neb. to support our member Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) for their annual golf scramble during their third quarter member meeting. RFN members enjoyed playing golf and attended a reception and dinner. 

The Iowa Utilities Commission 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. 

Summit is encouraging any interested parties to attend and participate in these informative sessions. A list of the meeting dates can be found here. If you are interested in speaking on behalf of the project, please reach out to Kelly Manning at kmanning@growthenergy.org.  

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

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Summer driving season is fully underway, and we want to remind you to fill up with lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 (Unleaded 88) at the pump as you hit the road! 

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.

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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