Read his full testimony here and, for more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.

IN REGULATIONS

For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.

IN COMMUNICATIONS

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor Hosts Reporter Round Table Discussion on Key Industry Issues

Last week, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor hosted a round table discussion with top Washington, D.C.-based energy and agriculture reporters from Politico, Agri-Pulse, E&E, CQ/Roll Call, OPIS, and Inside EPA on key issues of importance to the ethanol industry, to discuss issues important to our industry, namely, the immediate need for year-round sales of E15 and the excessive handout of small refinery exemptions (SREs) to oil refiners by EPA. During the discussion, Skor impressed the critical and timely importance of these two topics to not only the biofuels industry, but also communities across rural America. She reviewed what we heard from USDA Secretary Perdue and the priorities we advocated for at our recent Growth Energy Biofuels Summit and how we will continue to push EPA and lawmakers to address these issues.

"Things are tough right? That is the message I take away from meeting with our members," Skor explained following conversations at the Biofuels Summit. "We saw a plant in Mississippi that has stopped production and that is very much top of mind for many of our plants."

She continued to stress why rural America needs relief, "Ethanol is the lowest its been priced since 2005. If you consider net farm income and USDA's report last week that nine states had a record yield in corn bushels, all of these factors come into play and that is the message we are trying to deliver to policy makers in Washington."

The reallocation of lost gallons from SRE’s and the road ahead for ethanol was also a top issue of discussion. Skor explained that many questions still remained surrounding the SRE’s, specifically who was receiving exemption, and if the criteria used for consideration in granting an exemption. Regardless, Skor made clear that there was a statutory requirement that the gallon be reallocated.

Additionally, Skor, along with our Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley and Government Affairs John Fuher, raised a new topic of interest: that EPA is looking into 'partial waivers' for SREs.

“The law specifically says ‘full or partial,’" Fuher explained. "So I think what (EPA is) looking at is what does 'partial' look like."

Read the media coverage from Growth Energy’s round table in POLITICO here and Agri-Pulse here.

For more details, contact Director of Communications, Leigh Claffey.

ON THE HILL

Governor Pete Ricketts Successful in Pushing State E30 Pilot Program

In an effort led by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Governors' Biofuels Coalition, and Nebraska state agencies, the EPA recently announced their approval of an E30 pilot program for use in state vehicles. The approval came as a direct result of a request by the state of Nebraska to study the impacts of E30, a fuel with 30 percent ethanol and 70 percent gasoline.

The program will be supplied by Nebraska ethanol companies and is designed to investigate the fuel cost per mile, performance, maintenance and other factors involved in using high octane, midlevel ethanol blended fuel, like E30. In the past, Ricketts has strongly supported the Renewable Fuel Standard and recognized the benefits of ethanol blended fuel for the state and its transportation sector. Previously, he had directed that state agencies use flex fuel vehicles, wherever possible. This is just one example of the increasing attention being given to the benefits of high octane, midlevel ethanol blends across the country.

For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs, John Fuher.

AT THE PUMP

Update: E15 now Available at 1,628 Across 30 States, Expected to Reach 1,675 by end of 2018

Retail locations offering E15 have continued to increase this year and currently sit at 1,628 locations across 30 states. Over the past five years, the number of locations selling E15 has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2013, there were only 40 station selling E15. However, in the four years following, 2014 to 2016, the number of stations more than doubled year to year. At the end of 2017, there were 1,200 locations and Growth Energy, along with its partner Prime the Pump, expects to be able to offer E15 at 1,675 locations by the end of 2018. Above is an updated map of all of the locations offering E15 nationwide. For more info on how Growth Energy continues to lead the industry in market expansion, stay tuned to our member updates.

For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development, Mike O'Brien.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Industry Allies Attend Biofuels Conference in Vietnam to Discuss Benefits of Midlevel Ethanol Blends

This past week, Protec Fuel Management's COO and Director of Business Development Steve Walk, a longtime Prime the Pump partner, attended the Promotion and Development of Bio-fuel Conference, alongside other industry allies, held in Ho Chi Minh City by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade. The conference, co-hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, addressed the progress that has been made by the country in adopting an E5 ethanol blended fuel and potential plans to allow higher blends, like E10 and E15.

Longtime Prime the Pump Member Steve Walk of Protec Fuel Management represented American retailers at a recent trade mission to Vietnam.

“E10 has been approved and used by motorcycles as a safe and cost saving alternative to straight gasoline for decades,” Walk explained to the conference on the U.S experience in adopting ethanol blended fuel, adding “Retail stations are going to higher ethanol fuels like E15 and E85 fuel.”

Growth Energy's stays actively engaged internationally by working alongside organizations like the U.S. Grains Council and by working with our industry allies to expand the influence of biofuels across the globe. Growth Energy and our industry allies are constantly seeking new ways to forge relationships abroad and these types of events are critical to doing so. We will continue to advocate for biofuels internationally and keep you up to date on important events and developments.

For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Markets, Craig Willis.

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

POET North Manchester Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

Attendees of POET's North Manchester 10th anniversary celebration were treated to a chicken dinner, a plant tour, and the chance to ask questions of employees

POET's North Manchester Plant in North Manchester, IN, celebrated its 10 year anniversary on Saturday, September 22nd! Attendees were treated to a tour of the plant and enjoyed a community chicken dinner topped off with home-made cake and ice cream. The event lasted throughout the day with attendees staying to ask questions and participate in community fellowship. As many of you know, Growth Energy's members are staples of their community and support rural development and growth. Congratulations to POET North Manchester on 10 years and here's to 10 more!

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. 

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