Growth Energy Flags Neglect of Biofuels in EPA Tailpipe Proposal |
Growth Energy is urging regulators to harness U.S. biofuels to address gaps in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emissions-reduction plan for cars and trucks. Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley delivered the message during testimony at the EPA’s public hearing on Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles.
“Liquid fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the transportation sector now and for decades to come,” Bliley testified. “These fuels and vehicles operate as a system. As such, it is imperative to consider the vital role that environmentally sustainable fuel options, such as ethanol, will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the current and future vehicle fleet, rather than putting the thumb on the scale for one, single technology.”
Additionally, Bliley noted that “Ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent compared to gasoline and can provide reductions of up to 100 percent with the use of readily available technologies. Ethanol’s other environmental benefits are also noteworthy. As research has shown, the use of more ethanol and ethanol-blended fuel reduces air toxics, such as carbon monoxide, benzene, and other harmful particulates.”
To avoid leaving millions of tons of carbon reductions on the table, Bliley called on regulators to embrace innovative strategies for decarbonizing transportation with clean, affordable biofuels. Specifically, he urged EPA to: - Accelerate the deployment of E15 nationwide;
- Approve and adopt high-octane, midlevel ethanol blends like E30;
- Expand access to Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) in conjunction with use of E85; and
- Finalize strong volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2023, 2024, 2025, and well into the future.
Watch Bliley's full testimony here or read it as prepared for delivery here. |
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 13.4 BGY, down 9.4% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 9.4% from last week, at 132.1 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 13.9 and 136.4 BGY. Volatility in the weekly data has been greater than usual this month due to weather, holidays and other factors.
Ethanol production was 15.0 BGY last week, up 0.9% versus the week before, and 5.0% less than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 0.7% (+1.8 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 5.9% (+0.9 MG). Capacity utilization of plants online was 86.0% overall, 86.9% in the Midwest, and 73.9% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,355 MGY of capacity shutdown at 27 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 81.1% overall, 85.1% in the Midwest and 44.8% in the other regions.
Exports were an estimated 28.0 MG last week based on 120 MG of exports forecast for April. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.
Overall inventory was down 3.0 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 39.6 MG, and regional changes were: East (-9 MG), Gulf (-12 MG) and West (+7 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-26 MG). In-transit inventory increased 36.6 MG.
Based on the total inventory of 1,850 MG on April 28th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 49.1 days of supply, up 0.7 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 44.4 days of supply, up 0.6 days versus a week ago.
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer. |
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Nebraska Senators Advocate for Year-Round E15 Indiana Biofuels Groups Host High Performance, Low Carbon, Liquid Fuels Summit Join Us in DC for Our June Spring Fly-In Send Us Photos of E15 Cost Savings in Your Area |
Growth Energy Calls for State Support on Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Projects |
| Growth Energy Spring Fly-Ins May 16-18, 2023 June 6-8, 2023 Get Bioethanol NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 Madison, IL June 4, 2023 Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) Omaha, NE June 12-14, 2023 |
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Nebraska Senators Advocate for Year-Round E15 |
Nebraska Sen. Ricketts Highlights Benefits of Year-Round E15 |
In his weekly column, Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) highlighted the benefits of year-round E15, including reduced prices at the pump, lowered carbon emissions on the road, and job security and domestic energy production. "One study showed consumers have been able to save up to 30 cents a gallon during the summer months, leading to total savings of $84 million in gasoline costs," writes Rickett.
Read his column here. |
Nebraska Sen. Fischer Presses Need for Permanent E15 Solution |
At a hearing in the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Committee last week, Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) pressed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrator Regan on the need for a permanent E15 solution nationwide. Senator Fischer has been a consistent supporter of biofuels and in March 2023, reintroduced the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.
Watch here. |
Indiana Biofuels Groups Host High Performance, Low Carbon, Liquid Fuels Summit |
The Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance hosted the two-day High Performance, Low Carbon, Liquid Fuels Summit in Speedway, Ind. this week, where industry professionals discussed future energy solutions with ethanol advocates and biodiesel supporters. Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley spoke on a panel about the low carbon liquid fuel solutions to decarbonization. Other participants included representatives from the auto, refining, and biodiesel industries.
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Join Us in DC for Our June Spring Fly-In |
Our May Spring Fly-Ins are next week, but there's still time left to join us in June in D.C. to meet with your members of Congress and their staff! Find your state below and email Senior Manager of Government Affairs Katie Webster to register today:
June 6 - 8: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin |
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Send Us Photos of E15 Cost Savings in Your Area |
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Now that we've secured a summertime waiver to keep E15 available, we can keep saving at the pump. As we 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. If you see an example of significant cost savings at a fuel station near you, take a picture (like the ones 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 kwebster@growthenergy.org. |
For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. |
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Growth Energy Calls for State Support on Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Projects |
The incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act are important tools for ethanol producers to contribute even more to decarbonization efforts. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects play a key role in these efforts. Recently, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor advocated for CCUS projects with local governments in several key states. The letter details how essential CCUS is to local corn growers, ethanol producers, and customers.
"The biofuel industry, farmers, and rural communities are inextricably linked, and these projects will help the entire supply chain compete in a low-carbon economy,” adds Skor. Growth Energy will continue to support our industry’s work on decarbonization at every level. Learn more about CCUS here. |
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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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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