![]() No. 70, Feb. 28, 2019 ![]() IN REGULATIONS Growth Energy Submits Joint Comments on Canadian CFS
![]() On Feb. 1, 2019, Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), and Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) jointly submitted comments to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) supporting their goal of reducing the carbon intensity of Canada's fuel stream through the Clean fuel Standard (CFS). The comments offered recommendations on how biofuels, like ethanol, can help reach the ECCC Regulatory Design Paper’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23 megatons by 2030.
“While there are several details that are yet to be determined, we support the laudable and achievable goal to reduce the carbon intensity of the liquid fuel stream by 11 percent, ultimately leading to a 23-megaton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We believe that by using low carbon biofuels such as ethanol, Canada can succeed in its own greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
Specifically, the comments suggest expanding the country's current minimum blending requirement from 5 to 10 percent, nationwide. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the biofuels regulations put in place focus on promoting economic growth and securing a pathway to meeting Canada’s climate goals. This includes improving upstream fossil fuel protocols on exports, limiting abuse of compliance flexibility, and allowing public comment and review of carbon intensity models. Our full CFS comments can be found on our website here.
These are the second official comments Growth Energy has submitted to Canada this year, with our first being submitted to the Province of Canada in January on the province's potential move to E15 by 2025. Our comments to the Province of Ontario can be found here.
To further amplify our support for this effort, Growth Energy’s Communication team secured an interview with Growth Energy Vice President Chris Bliley and RFD-TV’s Janet Adkison to discuss our position on the CFS and the importance of higher ethanol blends to achieving Canada's greener fuel goals. Stay tuned for clip of that interview next week. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.
WORKING FOR YOU IN REGULATIONS IN POLICY IN COMMUNICATIONS AT THE PUMP AROUND THE GLOBE Final 2018 Ethanol Export Release Scheduled for March 6UPCOMING EVENTS
Commodity Classic
Feb. 28- Mar. 2, Orlando, FL Nebraska Ethanol Board Emerging Issues Forum
Mar. 7-8, La Vista, NE IN REGULATIONS State-level Ethanol Updates
New York E15
Recently, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets held three stakeholder meetings to discuss a potential rulemaking to allow E15 in the state, as well as some other regulatory changes including a ban on sale of midlevel ethanol blends (E16-E50). You can see the preliminary proposal here.
Growth Energy, Western New York Energy, and Poet participated in all three stakeholder meetings. The meetings allowed productive conversations with the Department, and we expect that a formal proposal will be issued soon. We have had local counsel working on this issue for several years, and we continue to stay actively engaged with teams to communicate that this represents an important step toward clean, sustainable economic growth for New York communities, farmers, and drivers. ![]() Washington Low Carbon Fuel Standard
As we’ve previously written, the Washington legislature is continuing to consider legislation to enact a statewide low carbon or clean fuel standard similar to those in neighboring Oregon and California. HB 1110 has been approved by the House Environment and Energy Committee, the House Transportation Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee. Further action is pending.
The Senate has companion legislation, SB 5412, has been heard in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and no further action has occurred. Growth Energy has a consultant on the ground in Olympia who has provided testimony at each of the hearings, and we continue to stay actively engaged so that the market remains open for ethanol-blends should the policy be enacted. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.
IN POLICY USDA & EPA Comment on E15 Rulemaking
![]() USDA Secretary Perdue met with Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler after his hearing to discuss the E15 rulemaking. Yesterday, Feb. 27, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue testified before the House Committee on Agriculture on the state of the rural economy. During the hearing, Secretary Perdue raised questions about the timing of the E15 rulemaking process but shortly thereafter, EPA released a press statement saying they are “working expeditiously to propose and finalize the rule consistent with the president's direction before the start of the summer driving season."
Growth Energy spoke with Bloomberg to urge EPA to follow through on completing E15 by the summer deadline:
"We appreciate EPA’s clarification on the E15 rule-making timing. However, it is imperative that EPA follow through on its commitment to allow year-round E15 in time for the summer driving season. American farmers and biofuel producers are counting on it."
Today, Perdue will also testify in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry where we hope our Senate biofuels champions push for greater clarity on an E15 rulemaking timeline. The hearing will be held at 9:30AM ET in room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building, and you can view the livestream on the committee's website here.
We will continue keep you up-to-date on any important hearings and biofuels related legislation, as well as the E15 rulemaking process. You can view the full story with our comments to Bloomberg here. For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs, John Fuher.
IN COMMUNICATIONS Growth Energy EPM Column on Global Ethanol Outlook ![]() Last week, Ethanol Producer Magazine (EPM) published a column by Growth Energy Senior Vice President Craig Willis on the growth of ethanol globally in 2018 for their March issue. In his column, Willis discussed the record growth in exports of U.S. ethanol in 2018 and Growth Energy's role in helping expand the global ethanol outlook.
“By building biofuels markets abroad and forging strong trade relations, our industry can ensure stable markets for America’s producers and farmers. As we head into 2019, Growth Energy remains committed to supporting burgeoning ethanol markets to promote the benefits of biofuels both at home and abroad.”
It is critical that our industry remain engaged with our allies around the world, demonstrate our commitment to helping burgeoning ethanol markets grow, and ensure a positive public discourse around keeping key markets for our nations farmers and producers open.
If you have not had a chance to read the full column from Willis, you can view it on the EPM website here. For more details, contact Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Elizabeth Funderburk. ![]() AT THE PUMP Which Retail Partner Has The Largest E15 Footprint?
It's time for another quiz to test your knowledge about the retail success of ethanol across the nation! E15 is currently being sold at over 1,700 retail stations across 30 states, and that number continues to grow. But do you know which of our retail partners has the largest E15 footprint in the U.S. to date?
Make your guess by clicking on a logo below. We'll let you know the correct answer next week! For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development, Mike O'Brien.
AROUND THE GLOBE Final 2018 Ethanol Export Release Scheduled for March ![]() Each month, our Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis provides an analysis on the monthly export ethanol numbers based on reports from government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). FAS provides monthly reporting on the import and export of agricultural products to and from the U.S., which allows our industry have a firm grasp on potential areas for growth in global ethanol markets.
In next week’s update, Willis will take a look back on the record-breaking exports in 2018 and how Growth Energy is continuing to lead the industry in 2019 to expand the global ethanol outlook. Read his latest export analysis here, and to get the latest updates on global ethanol trends, follow him on Linkedin here. For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Markets, Craig Willis.
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. |