![]() No. 103, October 31, 2019 ![]() TOP STORY Keeping Up the Pressure on EPA to Fix Draft Proposal Yesterday, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor testified at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing on the agency’s supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking. At the hearing, Skor called on EPA to fix the EPA's flawed draft proposal and reverse the demand destruction that has shuttered biofuel plants across the heartland.
Growth Energy greatly appreciates all the members, grower groups, and other industry stakeholders and advocates who testified at the hearing on this key issue in support of biofuels.
Make YOUR Voice Heard Earlier this week, EPA opened the public comment portal for the agency's supplemental proposal. As we continue to engage EPA on upholding the president's promise to rural America, we need your help to ensure our industry's voice is heard. For questions on our comment portal, please contact Senior Manager of Communications Austin Dabney.
WORKING FOR YOU ON THE HILL AROUND THE GLOBE IN OUR ASSOCIATION IN COMMUNICATIONS ON THE TRACK UPCOMING EVENTS
American Ethanol Phoenix Paint Out Save the Date: Growth Energy ELC 2020
ON THE HILL Siouxland Energy Testifies at House Hearing on EPA Demand Destruction Growth Energy member and Siouxland Energy Cooperative President Kelly Nieuwenhuis testified on Tuesday, October 29 before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change during a hearing entitled, "Protecting the RFS: The Trump Administration's Abuse of Secret Waivers." Nieuwenhuis, who is also a farmer near Primghar, Iowa, discussed the devastating impact of the EPA's demand destruction on his biofuel plant and the surrounding community.
“Plain and simple: EPA’s abuse of small refinery exemptions under the RFS is crippling rural America,” said Nieuwenhuis in his testimony to lawmakers. “Because of EPA’s actions to help the oil industry’s bottom line at the expense of farmers and biofuel producers, we had to make a hard decision – to idle our plant and shut off a key market for hundreds of local farmers, including myself.”
Following the hearing, Nieuwenhuis spoke with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor about why he believed it was important for him to be in DC to tell lawmakers about the realities in the heartland. Watch their conversation below: For more questions or comments, contact Vice President of Government Relations John Fuher.
AROUND THE GLOBE Growth Energy Joins USDA Trade Mission to Africa ![]() Pictured Above from left to right: Green Plains Inc. Head of International Ethanol Trading Brandon Thomas., U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie Sullivan, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky, and Ag Counselor for the U.S. Embassy Charles Rush. This week, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis joined a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission led by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky seeking to unlock new export markets in several countries in West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Growth Energy members Archer Daniels Midland, Green Plains Inc., and Marquis Energy also joined Willis on the trip to promote biofuels abroad and expand market opportunities for ethanol fuel.
According to USDA, there are significant opportunities for ethanol in this group of West African nations, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, and trade missions like these are critical to ensuring that these markets are open for U.S. biofuels.
As we work to expand the global ethanol outlook, engaging stakeholders in countries large and small is critical to ensure a fair and open market for U.S. biofuels. These initial steps lay the groundwork for expanding biofuels use in countries interested in its economic and environmental benefits. Initiatives like these also provide Growth Energy's technical experts and staff with opportunities to assist in creating the infrastructure necessary to support sales of ethanol.
Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks on how Growth Energy continues to lead the industry in expanding the global ethanol outlook. ![]() ![]() For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis.
IN OUR ASSOCIATION Member Highlight: Kansas Corn Growers Hosts South Asian Delegation ![]() The Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA) hosted a delegation of 10 international buyers, organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), from South Asia on October 10-11 to show them how ethanol fuel is taken from field to pump. The delegation represented India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and embarked on the tour prior to attending the USGC's Global Ethanol Summit. ![]() ![]() For more questions or comments, contact Vice President of Development, Kelly Manning. IN COMMUNICATIONS Promoting Biofuels Education at National FFA ![]() This week, Growth Energy is hosting a booth in the Teacher World Expo at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind. to promote biofuels education through our Biofuels Curriculum released earlier this year.
With over 1,600 downloads to date, the curriculum is already receiving attention from teachers seeking to give their students exposure to biofuels and STEM-based activities. Yesterday at the convention, 46 teachers downloaded the curriculum at the booth and heard from staff about the benefits of bringing the curriculum to their classroom, with more to come during the rest of the event.
We thank the representatives from Indiana Corn Growers Association, Hathaway Strategies, and Growth Energy member Iroquois Bio-Energy, LLC for volunteering at the booth, and for their support for biofuels education. For more questions or comments, contact Vice President of Communications Elizabeth Funderburk.
ON THE TRACK Austin Dillon Finishes 22nd in Martinsville ![]() Austin Dillon drove the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevy Camaro ZL1 to a 22nd-place finish at Martinsville Speedway in the First Data 500 last weekend. Dillon and his crew had the No. 3 car running well for much of the race, where he remained on the lead lap and battled competitively for a spot in the top 10 of the field. Unfortunately, Dillon cut a tire and contacted the outside wall of the track which caused the team to fall out of contention.
“I'm really proud of everyone on this No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet team for working hard all weekend and giving us a really solid car at Martinsville Speedway,” said Dillon. “We had a good fight, but this is not the finish we wanted today.”
American Ethanol will be the primary sponsor of Dillon and the No. 3 team only one more time this year as the 2019 Monster Energy Cup Series comes to a close. Dillon and the American Ethanol No. 3 car will be back on the track on November 10 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz., where we will also be announcing a significant milestone for American Ethanol. Stay tuned for more. For more details, contact Senior Manager of Communications Austin Dabney.
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