Growth Energy and EPA Reach Agreement on Delayed 2023 Biofuel Requirements |
What happened: Late last week, Growth Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a consent decree agreement to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that requires EPA to propose the 2023 renewable fuel volume requirements no later than November 16, 2022, and to finalize those requirements no later than June 14, 2023. The court is expected to approve the agreement in the coming weeks.
Why it's important: 2023 welcomes a new era of the RFS. For years 2023 and beyond, renewable volume obligations (RVOs) will be set by EPA instead of Congress and will be based on a set of six statutory factors that include climate change, rural economic development, and energy security. It is vital that EPA propose biofuel blending levels in a timely manner that ensure ethanol continues to advance the climate goals of the RFS.
What Growth Energy said: “The agreement with EPA on a deadline for the 2023 renewable fuel volume requirements is an important milestone in setting the pace for growth as we usher in a new era of the RFS,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Growth Energy has led the charge in holding EPA accountable, including our April 2022 lawsuit against EPA for missing its statutorily mandatory deadlines. This recent agreement, one that is bound by court order and that avoids the uncertainty of continued litigation, ensures the certainty of the 2023 RFS requirements and further underscores Growth Energy’s steadfast commitment to keeping the RFS on sound footing now and into the future.
“Growth Energy will continue to lead engagement with EPA as it develops its proposal, while advocating for volumes that accelerate the move toward lower-carbon, lower-cost fuel in our transportation system.” |
For more information, please contact General Counsel Joe Kakesh. |
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Bliley Discusses Biofuels' Role in Decarbonizing Transportation Sector During 2022 Clean Energy Expo Growth Energy Comments on Oregon’s Proposed Clean Fuels Program Extension |
Growth Energy Applauds Introduction of Grassley, Klobuchar Bill on High-Octane, Low-Carbon Fuels, Urges Senate Passage Coming Up: 2022 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit |
Skor Visits Tokyo to Support Japan/U.S. Trade Relations |
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Biofuels Summit Sep. 12 - 15, 2022 Washington, D.C. NACS Show October 1 - 4, 2022 Las Vegas, N.V.
Export Exchange 2022 October 12 - 14, 2022 Minneapolis, Minn. Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers Association (SIGMA) November 8-10, 2022 Hollywood, Calif.
NAFB Trade Talk November 16-17 Kansas City |
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ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
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Ethanol production was off slightly for the week with stocks posting a 225k barrel draw. Ethanol blending showed an untick of 8k bpd but not commensurate with the gain in implied gasoline demand of 724k bpd. Implied gasoline demand at 9.245 million bpd is still seasonally low for this time of year but somewhat expected given the record gasoline prices. Exports looked strong at 158k bpd putting July on pace for a record month. | Bliley Discusses Biofuels' Role in Decarbonizing Transportation Sector During 2022 Clean Energy Expo |
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This week, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses held the 25th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy Forum to showcase technology and policy solutions to today’s climate and energy use challenges. Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley presented on a panel during the event to discuss the role that biofuels can play in decarbonizing the transportation sector today.
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Growth Energy Comments on Oregon’s Proposed Clean Fuels Program Extension |
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Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley submitted comments to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in response to its proposal to update and extend its carbon reductions under the state’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP). The original CFP called for a 10% reduction in carbon intensity from 2015 by 2025. The new proposal calls for a 20% reduction from 2015 by 2030 and a 37% reduction
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by 2035. In his comments, Bliley encourages Oregon to look to low carbon bioethanol in order to reduce emissions today and into the future.
“It is imperative to consider the vital role that environmentally sustainable fuel options such as bioethanol will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting consumer costs in the current and future Oregon vehicle fleet,” wrote Bliley. “Already, we’ve seen biofuels provide the foundation for the CFP. In fact, biofuels like bioethanol have generated more than 75 percent of CFP credits. Additionally, even with room to further improve GHG lifecycle modeling, the CFP recognizes the significant improvement in bioethanol’s carbon intensity.”
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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Growth Energy Applauds Introduction of Grassley, Klobuchar Bill on High-Octane, Low-Carbon Fuels, Urges Senate Passage |
Growth Energy praised the introduction of legislation by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) that would unleash access to higher-octane, lower-emission, and lower-cost fuels for American drivers.
“The Next Generation Fuels Act represents a clear roadmap for delivering cleaner, more affordable options at the pump for American drivers,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “With a natural octane of 113, ethanol is the only high-performance, renewable fuel ready to help decarbonize cars on the road today – and with the added benefit of offering consumers significant savings at the pump. We applaud Senators Grassley, Klobuchar, Ernst, and Duckworth for working to promote the use of high-octane, lower-carbon biofuel blends that hold enormous potential for rural America’s role in clean energy production and lowering prices at the pump. We urge swift passage of this legislation as it works to offer both climate solutions and gas price relief to the American people.”
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Coming Up: 2022 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit |
At the 2022 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit this September, Growth Energy members will be part of the action in Washington, D.C., meeting with Members of Congress and their staff to drive home our message of the importance of bioethanol in a low-carbon future, the savings at the pump drivers have seen this summer thanks to E15, and the need for a permanent fix for year-round E15 and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard. Members will also get insights on how Growth Energy is driving change and working harder than ever to unleash the full potential of this industry - from expanding consumer access to higher blends to advancing new incentives for sustainable aviation fuel.
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For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. |
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Skor Visits Tokyo to Support Japan/U.S. Trade Relations |
Last week, CEO Emily Skor traveled to Japan with the U.S. Grains Council to convey the environmental and health benefits of bioethanol. The delegation also connected with Japanese leaders and policymakers to deepen the U.S. - Japan trade relationship. This visit comes just a few months after Japan's announced commitment to taking all available measures to double demand for bioethanol, including for sustainable aviation fuel and on-road fuel, by 2030 to reduce dependence on imported petroleum. This move translates to roughly over an E3 blend.
Skor's trip to Japan served as part of our larger mission to strengthen our global partnerships and promote the benefits of U.S. ethanol around the world. |
For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz. |
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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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