Growth Energy Joins Biofuel and Ag Groups Calling on EPA to Issue E15 Emergency Waiver |
Earlier this week, Growth Energy joined Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers in sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling on Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales:
“New and ongoing conflicts across the globe continue to pose risks to the United States’ transportation energy supply. In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, now extending into its third year, the recent unrest and volatility in the Middle East present additional challenges to American energy security. In particular, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have already had a disruptive effect on the transit of fuel in the region, raising the specter of constrained supply and increased gasoline prices at home,” wrote America’s top biofuel advocates.
To remedy the ongoing disruptions to global energy markets, stabilize gasoline prices for American consumers, and support domestic energy security, the authors urged EPA to quickly authorize the summer sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol.
“The consumer cost savings that result from allowing the year-round sale of E15, even on a temporary basis, are well-established. As a result of the emergency waivers issued in 2022 and 2023, consumers choosing E15 experienced average cost savings of 10-30 cents per gallon, with some locations offering over $1 off per gallon,” they added. View the full text of the letter 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 13.7 BGY, down 1.1% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was down 1.1% from last week, at 133.6 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.0 and 136.4 BGY (+0.9% YoY).
Ethanol production was 16.2 BGY last week, up 0.8% versus the week before, and 4.7% more than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 1.2% (3.5 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was down 7.8% (-1.2 MG). Capacity utilization of plants online was 91.1% overall, 93.2% in the Midwest, and 61.4% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,157 MGY of capacity shutdown at 24 ethanol plants for other than maintenance (details on pg. 31). On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 85.5% overall, 90.8% in the Midwest and 38.1% in the other regions.
Exports were an estimated 29.4 MG last week based on 130 MG of exports forecast for March. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.
Overall inventory was up 13.9 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks increased 3.5 MG, and regional changes were: East (-17 MG), Gulf (-3 MG) and West (+8 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (+15 MG). In-transit inventory increased 10.4 MG.
Based on the total inventory of 1,903 MG on March 22nd and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 49.4 days of supply, down 0.2 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 44.5 days of supply, down 0.2 days versus a week ago. |
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Update: CAMEX Comment Period on Bioethanol Tariff |
Growth Energy Attends Illinois SAF Conference |
Growth Energy Joins Coalition in Letter to Treasury |
Growth Energy Represented on Ag Bioeconomy Panel |
Act Now: Demand an E15 Emergency Waiver for This Summer
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Growth Energy VP Attends USDA Trade Mission in South Korea |
ICYMI: Growth Energy CEO Talks CERAWeek & More in Interviews |
Save the Date: Ag on the Mall |
Continuum Ag and Siouxland Energy Cooperative Announce Partnership |
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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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Update: CAMEX Comment Period on Bioethanol Tariff |
The Foreign Trade Chamber at the Brazil Ministry of the Economy (CAMEX) is evaluating a request made by ABICOM, a Brazil association of fuel importers, to remove Brazil's bioethanol tariff. Following this request, CAMEX announced it would open consultation and comment submission period on the bioethanol tariff. We will be working with our industry partners to weigh in for removal of the tariff as well as working with our own government to weigh in appropriately. ICYMI: Last week, our Congressional champions weighed in with USDA and USTR on this issue.
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Growth Energy Attends Illinois SAF Conference |
Last week, Growth Energy’s Director of State Government Affairs Dallas Gerber attended the Illinois Sustainable Aviation Fuel Conference, hosted by ADM, Marquis Energy, Illinois Corn and others. The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders from a variety of industries to understand the opportunities and challenges of bringing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to Illinois as well as identify the resources the state already has in place to attract the still-nascent market. Among the conference speakers were ADM’s Colin Graves, LanzaJet’s Alex Monetti, Marquis’ Dr. Jennifer Aurandt-Pilgrim (pictured above), and Gevo’s Nancy Young. The conference included a panel on carbon scoring and GREET modeling, featuring Argonne National Laboratory’s Dr. Michael Wang and Purdue University’s Dr. Farzad Taheripour.
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For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. |
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Growth Energy Joins Coalition in Letter to Treasury |
Last week, Growth Energy was pleased to join a multi-state coalition of biofuel leaders and farm advocates who sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department calling on them to swiftly resolve any questions standing in the way of efforts to scale up U.S. production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Specifically, the coalition called upon the administration to quickly adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act – completing a process that was originally scheduled to conclude by March 1.
“We are disappointed that the administration did not fulfill its commitment to release a modified GREET model by March 1, but we appreciate the importance of getting the modeling right,” wrote 26 organizations across 13 states, including biofuel leaders like Growth Energy, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Oilseed Processors Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association. “At the same time, we caution against contradictory changes to GREET that would stack unwarranted penalties on agricultural feedstocks, cut rural America out of a promising green energy market, and undermine any realistic path to achieving U.S. SAF goals.”
Read the full letter here.
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Growth Energy Represented on Ag Bioeconomy Panel |
Last week, Growth Energy Director of Government Affairs Katie Webster participated in a Congressional staff briefing titled “The Scope of the U.S. Ag Bioeconomy.” The panel was hosted by the Ag Bioeconomy Coalition, of which Growth Energy is a member, and included the American Soybean Association, Plant Based Products Council, National Hemp Association, Corn Refiners Association, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. During the panel, Webster highlighted for Hill staff the role that bioethanol plays in the larger bioeconomy beyond fuel for cars on the road – including sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture and utilization, and the role of high protein animal feeds (DDGs).
Founded in 2022, the Ag Bioeconomy Coalition advocates for all elements of the U.S. agriculture bioeconomy, from biobased fuels, chemicals and materials to essential economic tools like rural broadband, research, and infrastructure.
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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 as much as $1 per gallon 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 VP Attends USDA Trade Mission in South Korea |
Pictured in background left to right: U.S. Grains Council Chairman Brent Boydston, Growth Energy VP of Market Development Jake Comer, and U.S. Grains Council Director for South Korea Haksoo Kim. |
This week, Growth Energy's Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer traveled to Seoul, South Korea for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission, led by USDA's Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor.
Comer, who attended with the U.S. Grains Council, is part of the delegation comprised of officials from 48 agribusiness and farm organizations and five state departments of agriculture. The purpose of the mission is to develop strong ties with Korean partners and expand bioethanol usage in the region. Comer participated in meetings with Under Secretary Taylor, bioethanol importer KC&A, industry chemical company Hanwha, the Korea Feed Association, and Bayer.
In 2023, South Korea imported nearly 100 million gallons of U.S. bioethanol and has a commitment to lowering their greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial bioethanol usage is common in Korea and there is still potential for on-road use and aviation application. |
For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer. |
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ICYMI: Growth Energy CEO Talks CERAWeek & More in Interviews |
In case you missed it, take a listen back at the interviews Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor took part in this week, with Jesse Allen of Agriculture of America, and Chip Flory of AgriTalk. Skor discussed her time at last week's CERAWeek event and what Growth Energy was able to bring to the table at this preeminent energy conference, plus our push for a summertime waiver for E15, the GREET model, SAF, and more. Listen to Emily's Agriculture of America segment here.
Listen to Emily's AgriTalk segment here. |
Save the Date: Ag on the Mall |
Growth Energy is proud to once again partner with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) for their Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall. From May 6th to May 8th, participating trade associations and equipment manufacturers will showcase their organizations and products on the lawn of the National Mall surrounded by the Smithsonian Museums.
The theme of this year's event is the Future of Food and Farming and will feature America's farmers, ranchers, and agriculture innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology. Growth Energy will have a booth to celebrate the agriculture industry and demonstrate how our members are cultivating a new generation of plant-based solutions that are helping Americans meet our energy needs, and our nation’s carbon reduction goals — all at the same time.
This event is open to the public, so we hope to see you there in May! |
Continuum Ag and Siouxland Energy Cooperative Announce Partnership |
Growth Energy members Continuum Ag and Siouxland Energy Cooperative have announced a partnership aimed at exploring clean fuel production tax credits (45Z) associated with Carbon Intensity (CI) Certified Grain. According to the collaboration release, Continuum Ag will provide farmers the certification necessary to participate and Siouxland will be a buyer for the certified bushels.
This exploratory partnership is aimed at encouraging farmers to educate themselves, quantify their baseline CI Scores through TopSoil, and spread awareness of the potential opportunities ahead. Read more about this partnership here.
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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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The 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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