No. 276, May 18, 2023

TOP STORY

Growth Energy members meet with Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kansas).

Growth Energy members meet with Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa).

Growth Energy members meet with Rep. David Scott (D-Georgia).

This week, approximately two dozen Growth Energy members participated in a fly-in to meet with members of Congress and their staff about how greater use of biofuels can deliver low-carbon, low-cost solutions for Americans across the country. Our members discussed topics like restoring certainty to the RFS, using biofuels as a cost-effective pathway to achieve climate goals, and helping drivers save money with ethanol through a permanent legislative fix to allow for year-round E15. 

Educating policymakers on our biofuels issues is vital to passing the legislation we need as an industry. Thank you to all who have participated this week in the 50 Capitol Hill meetings!

There's still time left to join us in June 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

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

EIA WEEKLY ETHANOL DATA

Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 13.9 BGY, down 4.2% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 4.2% from last week, at 136.6 BGY.  The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.2 and 139.3 BGY. Volatility in the weekly data has been greater than usual recently due to weather, holidays and other factors.

Ethanol production was 15.1 BGY last week, up 2.3% versus the week before, and 5.5% less than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 2.2% (+5.9 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 3.8% (+0.6 MG). Capacity utilization of plants online was 87.6% overall, 88.1% in the Midwest, and 80.3% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,480 MGY of capacity shutdown at 29 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 82.0% overall, 86.0% in the Midwest and 45.7% in the other regions.

Exports were an estimated 27.1 MG last week based on 120 MG of exports forecast for May. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.

Overall inventory was down 7.5 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 4.2 MG, and regional changes were: East (-9 MG), Gulf (+24 MG) and West (-5 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-14 MG). In-transit inventory decreased 3.3 MG.

Based on the total inventory of 1,816 MG on May 12th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 47.3 days of supply, down 1.0 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 42.9 days of supply, down 0.9 days versus a week ago.

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

WORKING FOR YOU

UPCOMING EVENTS

Growth Energy Spring Fly-In

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

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded the introduction of the Fuels Parity Act this week. This legislation would both allow ethanol from corn starch to qualify for an advanced (D5) RIN and require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt the Argonne National Laboratory Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model when conducting lifecycle analyses for low-carbon biofuels like ethanol.

“This bipartisan bill would clear two of the biggest regulatory hurdles that keep the U.S. from unleashing the full carbon-reducing potential of corn ethanol,” Skor said. “By both allowing corn starch ethanol to qualify for an advanced (D5) RIN and ensuring EPA uses the gold-standard GREET lifecycle analysis model, the Fuels Parity Act would put biofuels on the same regulatory footing as other fuels, giving them a better chance to compete in the market and more opportunities to decarbonize the transportation sector. We’re grateful to Representatives Miller-Meeks, Hunt, Bice, Budzinski, and Sorensen for introducing this legislation.”

Background

The Fuels Parity Act would allow ethanol from corn starch to qualify for an advanced (D5) RIN, eliminating the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) advanced biofuel corn starch prohibition. The bill would also require EPA to adopt the most recent Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation model (commonly referred to as the “GREET model”) developed by the Argonne National Laboratory.

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.

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

In addition to our earlier work in Washington State, the Wash. Department of Ecology has begun discussions about linking its Cap and Invest program with California and Quebec, and Growth Energy has submitted further comments.

As Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley noted in the comments, Growth Energy appreciates the Department's effort to reduce Washington's greenhouse gas emissions but remains concerned about the restrictive definition of the exemption for biofuels and its impact on bioethanol. 

Read the full comments here.

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

IN LEGAL

Last week, Growth Energy General Counsel Joe Kakesh gave an overview of the current bioethanol policy and public affairs landscape to attendees at the Lallemand Biofuels Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. The Biofuels Academy brought ethanol plant operators together from across the country to discuss plant operations, case studies, and troubleshooting tips for effective and efficient ethanol production. Kakesh's presentation aimed to help operators understand the political and policy contexts in which their work in production occurs and the efforts Growth has undertaken on behalf of the industry in the courts, in legislatures, and in the media across the country. Thank you to Lallemand for the opportunity to present in front of this fine group!

For more information, please contact General Counsel Joe Kakesh.

IN MEMBERSHIP

(Pictured) Growth Energy General Counsel Joe Kakesh (Left) and another RFN Board Meeting attendee at the greenhouse on the University of Nebraska's Innovation Campus.

Growth Energy Member Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) hosted a number of other GE plant and associate members at its quarterly meeting last week. After the event (which included a GE-sponsored reception) attendees got a chance to tour the Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC), a "campus designed to facilitate new and in-depth partnerships between the University of Nebraska and private sector businesses." 

For more information or to submit stories for your own member spotlight, please contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

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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