Growth Energy Heads to Capitol Hill for Spring Fly-In |
Growth Energy members meet with Representative Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa, fourth from left). |
This week, over 40 Growth Energy members joined us in Washington for nearly 100 meetings with over 50 Members of Congress. This week's meetings with the Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin delegations consisted of conversations surrounding the status of year-round E15 and the need for an emergency waiver in order to continue sales this summer, and bioethanol priorities such as finalizing the GREET model for 40B (sustainable aviation fuel tax credit) and extending 45Z (clean fuel production credit). Our teams met with both champions and members new to our issues to share our story and amplify the benefits of biofuels in the halls of Congress.
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Growth Energy members meet with Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas, third from left). |
Growth Energy members meet with Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois, fourth from left). |
Growth Energy members meet with Rep. Mark Alford (R-Missouri, fourth from left). |
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. | |
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Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 13.6 BGY, up 0.6% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was up 0.6% from last week, at 132.8 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 13.8 and 135.0 BGY (-1.9% YoY).
Ethanol production was 15.1 BGY last week, down 6.9% versus the week before, and 2.0% less than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was down 8.3% (-24.7 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 22.9% (+3.2 MG), mainly in the USGC region. Capacity utilization of plants online was 84.7% overall, 85.3% in the Midwest, and 76.7% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,157 MGY of capacity shutdown at 24 ethanol plants for other than maintenance. On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 79.6% overall, 83.1% in the Midwest and 47.8% in the other regions.
Exports were an estimated 32.7 MG last week based on 140 MG of exports forecast for April. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.
Overall inventory was down 8.7 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 5.4 MG, and regional changes were: East (+10 MG), Gulf (-3 MG) and West (+7 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-19 MG). In-transit inventory decreased 3.3 MG.
Based on the total inventory of 1,900 MG on April 12th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 50.1 days of supply, up 0.4 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 44.9 days of supply, up 0.2 days versus a week ago. |
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Biofuels Champions Push USTR on Brazil’s Unfair Trade Practices in Recent Hearings |
Ethanol Industry Thanks Biden, Kishida for Recognizing Ethanol as Decarbonization Solution |
Growth Energy Applauds Congressional Letters Calling for E15 Emergency Waiver |
Act Now: Demand an E15 Emergency Waiver for This Summer |
Growth Energy Helps More Fuel Retailers Apply for Biofuel Infrastructure Grants |
Growth Energy Senior VP Announced as FEW 2024 Keynote |
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Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall Washington, D.C. May 6-8, 2024 2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop Minneapolis, Minn. June 10-12, 2024 | |
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Biofuels Champions Push USTR on Brazil’s Unfair Trade Practices in Recent Hearings |
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai testified before the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees this week. Biofuels champions Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois) took the opportunity to call attention to the trade barriers the ethanol industry faces in Brazil, and to ask the Ambassador directly what action is being taken to address them. Take a look: |
In both of her responses, Tai reiterated that USTR and the Biden administration continue to engage with Brazil on this issue and that it’s one of their top priorities. |
Ahead of this week’s hearings, Growth Energy, along with U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuel Association, submitted comments to the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. Rep. LaHood and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) had also led a letter of over 20 Members of Congress encouraging USTR and USDA to do the same.
We’re grateful to our champions for continuing to hold Brazil accountable for these unfair trade practices and we look forward to continuing our work with both USTR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to level the trade playing field for ethanol producers. |
Ethanol Industry Thanks Biden, Kishida for Recognizing Ethanol as Decarbonization Solution |
The U.S. ethanol industry – Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association – expressed gratitude for the recent joint statement from President Biden and Japan Prime Minister Kishida on the importance of ethanol as a decarbonization solution within the transportation sectors in their respective countries.
In an April 10 joint statement, Biden and Kishida said, “We intend to advance widespread adoption of innovative new clean energy technologies, and seek to increase the globally available supply of sustainable aviation fuel or feedstock, including those that are ethanol-based, that show promise in reducing emissions.” The three ethanol groups offered in response:
“Our organizations appreciate the dedication and support of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the U.S. Trade Representative and other U.S. government agencies advocating for grain-based ethanol in their international discussions. These U.S. officials continue to highlight that ethanol is a readily available, low-carbon solution that can be used immediately as a carbon mitigation tool for the on-road, aviation, maritime and biochemical sectors. "We thank the Biden administration for its ongoing assistance in promoting U.S. ethanol abroad. Through our continued joint efforts to showcase U.S. ethanol benefits to the global community, we are collectively leading the transition to a low-carbon economy and supporting international climate commitments for a net-zero future.” Read more here. |
For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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Growth Energy Applauds Congressional Letters Calling for E15 Emergency Waiver |
Growth Energy commended a bipartisan group of senators and representatives last week after they sent two letters to the Biden administration calling for an emergency waiver that would permit the sale of E15—a fuel blend made with 15% bioethanol—this summer. Twenty-six lawmakers from the House of Representatives signed onto a letter calling on the administration to “expeditiously take action to permit the nationwide sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) fuel during the 2024 summer driver season.” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement in response:
“The planet benefits and consumers save money when they can fill up their cars with E15. In the absence of a federal legislative fix, we need EPA to act now to provide an emergency waiver, so that retailers have enough time to ensure their supplies of this more affordable, earth-friendly fuel won’t be interrupted this summer. We thank Representatives Craig, Smith, Pocan, and Johnson for leading the charge on this critical issue, and hope this letter spurs the EPA into taking action on behalf of American drivers.”
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Meanwhile, in the Senate, 20 lawmakers signed onto a letter to the administration, noting that “American biofuels remain a straightforward, no-cost solution to shoring up our energy supply and reducing consumer costs, and issuing a waiver for the 2024 summer driving season remains in the public’s best interest.” Skor said the following in response:
“All of the conditions that made an E15 waiver so important in past years are still present. If EPA doesn’t take action, American motorists would lose access to a more affordable fuel option this summer. We can’t afford to wait any longer – we need EPA to act now. We commend Senator Thune, Senator Durbin, and other bipartisan Senate biofuel champions for pushing the administration to do the right thing and allow E15 to be sold this summer.”
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Act Now: Demand an E15 Emergency Waiver for This Summer |
Growth Energy needs your help!
With continued inflation and volatile gas prices, higher blends of biofuels like E15 (UNL88) have saved American drivers average cost savings of $0.10 to $0.30 per gallon at the pump, with as much as $1 per gallon in some areas at the pump – all while reducing emissions and supporting economic growth across rural America. In fact, the popularity of higher bioethanol blends is rising faster than ever, and American drivers have now logged more than 100 billion miles on the road using E15.
Unfortunately, these cost savings could vanish from many markets on June 1, 2024, due to outdated federal restrictions on summer sales of higher bioethanol blends.
Last year, the Biden administration waived E15 restrictions on an emergency basis for the summer to deliver relief at the pump, and this year should be no different. America is the world’s largest producer of biofuels, and we should be making use of our full capacity in the push for affordable, cleaner energy.
Additionally, global fuel supply issues persist, given the unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Red Sea shipping routes. Join us in calling on lawmakers to press the Biden administration for action on an emergency RVP waiver ahead of the start of summer driving season.
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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 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.
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. |
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Growth Energy Helps More Fuel Retailers Apply for Biofuel Infrastructure Grants |
This week, Growth Energy celebrated another successful round of applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). During the most recent application window, Growth Energy helped write grant applications for 39 different retailers comprising 198 stores—51 percent of all submissions. The effort could result in more than 1,200 new E15 dispensers, nearly 450 new E85 dispensers, and nearly 500 new dispensers for biodiesel blends.
“Working hand in hand with fuel retailers has always been a priority for Growth Energy, and we are proud to have supported more than half of all Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program applications this round,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “These partnerships play a key role in expanding access to low-cost, low-carbon options like E15. And consumer demand continues to break records in those states that report sales data. In 2023 alone, E15 sales surged 47 percent in Iowa and 21 percent in Minnesota, while sales of E85 in California jumped more than 14 percent.”
Since 2020, Growth Energy has helped retailers across the country apply for $115 million in federal, state, and private grants to expand access to higher biofuel blends. Retailers will invest an additional $102 million for a total infrastructure investment of $217 million. During the third application window under HBIIP, which ran from January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024, Growth Energy ramped up outreach via partnerships with Pearson Fuels in California, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
Read more here. |
For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer. |
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Growth Energy Senior VP Announced as FEW 2024 Keynote |
Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley will keynote this year's International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, scheduled for June 10-12 in Minneapolis, Minn. After the keynote, FEW attendees will also hear from Growth Energy Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher as he joins a panel for the general session, called "Growing Opportunities for Ethanol Producers in Today’s Clean Energy Policy Landscape." Read the full agenda here. We hope to see you in Minneapolis! |
For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Development Kelly Manning. |
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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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