![]() No. 82, May 23, 2019 ![]() TOP STORY Growth Energy Hosts Legal Briefing For Beltway & Industry Reporters ![]() Yesterday, Growth Energy's General Counsel Joe Kakesh addressed key beltway and industry media directly in a legal media briefing in our office in Washington, DC. Kakesh spoke with reporters from Bloomberg, Reuters, OPIS, AgriPulse, Platts, and E&E to ensure our position is heard loud and clear, and to pre-empt opposition attacks following the finalization of an RVP rule.
Audio from Kakesh's briefing was used in yesterday's AgriPulse's daily Drive Time Live segment, where Kakesh underscored his confidence in the rule's ability to stand in court. For more details, contact Vice President of Communications, Elizabeth Funderburk.
WORKING FOR YOU IN REGULATIONS IN COMMUNICATIONS
Growth Energy Ads Keep Pressure on EPA to Deliver E15 Year-Round by June 1
AT THE PUMP IN OUR ASSOCIATION Member Highlight: KCoe Isom, LLPUPCOMING EVENTS
Fuel Ethanol Workshop
June 10-12, Indianapolis, IN E15 Retailer Marketing Workshop June 26, Charleston, SC IN REGULATIONS Denver Regional Air Quality Council Meets to Discuss Fuels Study and Summertime Ethanol Blending The Denver Regional Air Quality Council (RACQ) held a second meeting yesterday on its fuels study from March 2019 that outlines several potential options to improve the region’s air quality. Most of the options would reduce the vapor pressure of gasoline; however, one option discussed is to eliminate summer ethanol blending. When the study was first released, Growth Energy staff submitted comments on the benefits of higher blends of fuel ethanol and in opposition of eliminating summer ethanol blending.
Yesterday, our board member Dan Sanders of Front Range Energy presented additional information at the hearing. As the RACQ considers potential policy options, this information demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of current ethanol blending and the potential benefits of E15 and higher ethanol blends.
We will remain actively engaged to ensure that Denver continues to enjoy the benefits of ethanol-blended fuel and will keep you up-to-date on any developments in the region. Surface Transportation Board Hearing on Rail Demurrage and Accessorial Charges The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has been investigating the explosion of demurrage and accessorial fees being assessed by the nation’s railroads. These fees are levied on shippers by rail carriers, who have turned them into a lucrative and unfair source of revenue. As part of their investigation, the STB is holding a hearing this week to hear from railroads and shippers about how these fees are impacting rail delivery
Earlier this month, we provided the written testimony in support of the STB’s investigation and called on them to correct the imbalance these fees have caused. We will continue to push for fairness and reciprocity when it comes to these unjust fees during the hearing this week. Stay tuned for an update next week on the progress of STB's investigation. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.
IN COMMUNICATIONS Growth Energy Gives Industry Update at Washington Watch Last week, our CEO Emily Skor and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley participated in the National Association of Farm Broadcaster's (NAFB) annual "Washington Watch" event in Washington, D.C. In interviews with 17 agricultural reporters from 11 states, Skor and Bliley detailed the crisis rural America is facing, the need for the final rule on E15 year-round to be released on time by June 1, and the devastating impact of the rapid escalation of small refinery exemptions given to big oil. Check out photos from the event below: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Growth Energy Ads Keep Pressure on EPA to Deliver E15 Year-Round by June 1 Given the current crisis with declining incomes in the Midwest and low corn output due to inclement weather, the need for relief in the form of year-round sales is needed now more than ever. On Tuesday, May 21, we launched a paid advertising campaign to reinforce the need for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver on the president’s promise for year-round sales of E15 on time and bring much-needed relief to our hurting farm families.
As we approach June 1, we continue to keep the pressure on EPA to deliver year-round sales of E15 and uphold President Trump's promise to rural America. ![]() Help Us Improve the Daily Fill-Up! As you may have noticed, there’s been a few slight changes to our Daily Fill-Up morning newsletter to improve your experience. But we need your help! We would appreciate your feedback on your likes, dislikes, and suggestions so you can start everyday with the news you can actually use from Growth Energy.
Please help us improve the Daily Fill-Up by taking a few minutes to fill out the brief 4-question survey below: For more details, contact Vice President of Communications, Elizabeth Funderburk.
AT THE PUMP Retailer Spotlight: Casey's General Store
Casey’s General Stores is certainly no stranger to selling fuel in the Midwest, but they have also gained exposure in the rest of the country as the chain expands their aggressive approach to add E15 and E85 infrastructure nationwide. Currently, Casey's has grown their footprint to more than 2,000 locations in 16 different states, and that number is soon to grow. In Convenience Store Products (CSP) Magazine last week, they highlighted Casey’s General Store and their biofuels plan to add more than 500 sites that will offer E15. Casey's Director of Fuels Nathaniel Doddridge talks about the benefits that higher blends of ethanol fuel can bring consumers and the benefits for retail stores. He also discussed the importance of educating consumers on how biofuels saves them money at the pump and helps keep the air they breathe clean.
Learn more about how Casey's continues to expand their E15 offering by reading our profile in CSP: ![]() For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development, Mike O'Brien. IN OUR ASSOCIATION Member Highlight: KCoe Isom, LLP
![]() KCoe Isom, LLP, is an associate member with locations across the United States. Originally formed in 2015 with the merger of Kennedy and Coe and Matson and Isom - Kennedy and Coe was formed in 1932 in Kansas, and Matson and Isom began in 1955 in California - the organization has been a member since the inception of Growth Energy. Both firms originated in rural communities where agriculture and food production are predominant. Lets take a closer look at the integral role this member plays in our industry:
What are your primary products related to the ethanol industry and what products do you produce? We are a consulting and accounting firm providing business advisory in a wide range of focus areas, including employee development, sustainability verification, technology services, mergers and acquisition, financing opportunities, succession planning, as well as traditional tax and accounting services.
What do you feel is your primary value addition to our industry? We know where to look for financial and business efficiencies and can help ethanol producers achieve their profitability and employee goals. KCoe Isom helps plants grow and improve in almost all aspects that are not mechanical or technical in nature.
What are some recent events or initiatives that you are proud of as a company? We recently partnered with a worldwide technology platform, Agworld, that allows us to seamlessly provide sophisticated solutions for capturing, managing and improving farm data to employ sound financial and operational decisions. Agworld is a ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system that can help biofuels plants connect people and systems.
KCoe Isom also recently launched its KCoe People service line, which provides a variety of employee resources and support ranging from HR compliance to talent development solutions to HR administration. It’s a great out-sourcing opportunity for biofuels plants who need expertise in HR, culture, talent development and leadership support.
Are there any upcoming projects or products you are excited about for the ethanol industry? We are thrilled to offer a financial reporting package that helps ethanol plants understand their performance against other plants in the same geography, with the reporting developed to ensure consistent reporting for comparable results.
What do you consider some of your company's main accomplishments? Treating our relationships as business partners rather than a service provider. At Kcoe Isom, we know we are only as successful as our clients. We want to grow with you, rather than our growth being at your expense.
In what ways do you support or engage with your local community? Given our widespread geographic footprint (21 offices from coast to coast) we are engaged in local community events that are of interest to our team members, as well as being engaged in events associated with the targeted industries we support. We support our community through range of activities, from local Chamber of Commerce funding to United Way support to FFA scholarships and internships.
What do you like about being a member of Growth Energy? Industry information shared with members and networking opportunties with other Growth Energy Members.
Any other fun facts?
For more details, contact Vice President of Development, Kelly Manning.
The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published 51 times a year by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org or visit our website GrowthEnergy.org. You're receiving this newsletter because you've subscribed to Growth Energy's The Weekly Rundown. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Copyright © 2019 Growth Energy. |