No. 80, May 09, 2019 
IN REGULATIONS Maine Governor Vetoes Anti-Ethanol Legislation Last week, the Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, vetoed anti-ethanol legislation (LD 822) that would have banned the sale of ethanol fuel blends over 10 percent. This decision is a huge victory for our industry and the growth of biofuels in the marketplace.
In a statement, Mills discussed her reasoning for the veto: “E15 is not currently sold in Maine, and, as of now, there is insufficient scientific evidence or data to support the claim that it adversely impacts health. Without sufficient study, and given this fuel is not currently sold in Maine, I am not prepared for the state to declare a ban.” Although it is not currently available at retail locations in the state, Mills' decision would effectively allow the sale of E15 blended fuel in the state as long as her decision is not overturned. Maine's legislature will now need to reach a two-thirds vote to overturn the veto. Growth Energy engaged a local Maine consultant and provided testimony to oppose this bill, and we will continue contest any legislation that could limit the sale of higher blends of ethanol fuel across the nation. There will be an attempt to override the Governor’s veto later today. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of this bill. 
Pictured above: Maine Governor Janet Mills For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.
WORKING FOR YOU IN REGULATIONS New EPA Guidance Stifles Innovation for Second Generation Biofuels IN POLICY AT THE PUMP AROUND THE GLOBE IN OUR ASSOCIATION Thanking Our Educators During Teacher Appreciation WeekON THE TRACK UPCOMING EVENTS
American Ethanol Paint Out
May 11, Kansas Speedway, KS Fuel Ethanol Workshop
June 10-12, Indianapolis, IN IN REGULATIONS New EPA Guidance Stifles Innovation for Second Generation Biofuels On May 7, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance on cellulosic pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement to the press expressing disappointment with EPA’s latest move:
"EPA's guidance changes the rules mid-game on critical pathway approvals for cellulosic ethanol,” said Skor. “Second generation biofuels, such as advanced cellulosic ethanol, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent. Rather than adding more bureaucracy to an already slow approval process, EPA should work to expand opportunities for technologies that can have a greater impact on reducing carbon emissions. EPA should instead move expeditiously to remove unnecessary hurdles and approve regulatory pathways for today’s clean fuels that promote future growth, investment and innovation in biofuel technology." We will continue working with EPA and our members to ensure pathways for second generation biofuels and keep you updated on any developments. Growth Energy Submits Comments to STB on Critical Need to Keep Railway Fees Low Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley submitted comments this week on behalf of Growth Energy to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on the critical need to reduce railway fees from rail carriers on ethanol producers and other rail shippers. Bliley’s comments commended STB for their continued oversight on fair and open shipping and implored them to halt the demurrage and accessorial fees that have become a $1.4 billion revenue stream for rail carriers.
"In any other business, these occurrences would be considered a normal part of doing business, not an additional billion-dollar revenue stream for rail carriers," noted Bliley's comments. "We believe these fees go far beyond the necessity to ensure a strong and effective rail system. At a minimum, there needs to be serious consideration given to some sort of reciprocity for some of these issues when there is little to no recourse when the fault is that of the railroad rather than the shipper." Bliley’s full comments to STB comments can be found on our website here. For more details, contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Bliley.
IN POLICY House Lawmakers Call for an End to the Unjust Granting of Small Refinery Exemptions for Big Oil On Tuesday, 35 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that it end the practice of granting small refinery exemptions (SREs) and uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The letter was led by U.S. Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) and cited the billions in lost biofuels gallons as a betrayal to rural America. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor commented on their support:
"...We applaud U.S. Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) and their 33 colleagues calling on EPA to halt unjust granting of SREs and to reallocate the gallons lost to ensure the targets set out under the RFS are met, and put an end to the practice of eliminating markets at a time when growers and producers need them most." For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs, John Fuher.
AT THE PUMP New Mexico Becomes 31st State to Add E15 Choice at The Pump
Today, there are more than 1,800 retail sites selling E15 across 31 states, with New Mexico as the newest state to adopt the cleaner, more-affordable, higher-octane fuel blend. Growth in retail availability of E15 fuel is expected to exceed 1,900 locations by the end of 2019, and E15 popularity - known to consumers as Unleaded 88 - grows every year. Through our partnership with Prime the Pump, Growth Energy continues to lead the industry in retail adoption of E15. For more details, contact Vice President of Market Development, Mike O'Brien.
AROUND THE GLOBE Introducing: Kristy Moore Kristy Moore, Principal Scientist at KMoore Consulting, is a well-known technical and regulatory expert on fuels who will advise our regulatory affairs and global exports initiatives. To help you learn a little more about her background and work she’ll be doing with us, Kristy answered a few questions for this week’s Rundown: Kristy, many of our members know you from your decades of great work in the industry, but for those who don't know you, tell us a little about yourself:
I am a farm kid from central Illinois, growing up, going to college and now raising my family only about 70 miles from where I was born in Champaign, IL. I graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Chemistry and went immediately to work for ADM in Peoria, IL. After a few years, I transferred to ADM’s HQ in Decatur where I worked in research, operations (Decatur Corn Plant) and ultimately technical support for the Ethanol Division. I was part of the MTBE transition team for California which was an awesome experience in the early 2000s. I worked to build out the E10 market throughout the U.S. and shepherded the E15 waiver proposal through the EPA process. 
What type of work will you be doing with Growth Energy?
My technical support for Growth Energy focuses on domestic and international market development. Domestically, I support our producers at ASTM and any fuel quality aspects. I am in constant communication with our E15 retailers working to ensure fair, equitable state and Federal regulations. Internationally, I am focused on these market development aspects: educating of our team and development of technical support documents they need, completing an assessment of each country’s fuel specifications and developing a plan to remove any impediments to ethanol introduction and lastly developing allies in each country to support our efforts.
What are some of the challenges you see ahead, both in the U.S. and abroad?
There are many challenges to expanding the use of ethanol domestically and globally in both the political and technical realms. Providing accurate, timely information on ethanol with confidence is a key aspect of successful market development efforts. We need to build an army of ethanol experts to educate these markets. Ethanol wins on economics but you have to answer the questions to ensure a successful transition.
You are considered by many as a leading technical expert. How will your expertise help advance the biofuels industry forward?
My expertise lies in the technical realm but my experience can be leveraged to educate and develop meaningful discussions on the benefits of ethanol. Motor fuels are heavily regulated for two primary reasons: consumer reliance on energy with direct impacts to the economy and the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment. Even though ethanol provides measurable benefits, there is very little information on ethanol available to many of these countries.
You've worked with many of our retail partners over the years, what are some ways you typically help retailers in the process of adding E15 to their offering?
The retail motor fuel industry is primarily focused on economic decisions however these businesses are heavily regulated. Chris Bliley and I provide meaningful technical (fuel) and regulatory support for their businesses to improve their business model while improving compliance. These E15 retailers are amazing business people; we learn from them as they learn from us.
Anything else you'd like Growth Energy's members to know about you?
I'm here for you and I love to work hard. This is crazy great work building markets and I’m excited to expand my role with Growth Energy to increase ethanol use around the world. For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Markets, Craig Willis. 
IN OUR ASSOCIATION Thanking Our Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week
Please join Growth Energy during Teacher Appreciation Week in thanking our nation's educators for their dedication to shaping our future leaders – especially our agricultural educators who help keep rural America strong. The thousands of ag educators across the nation work tirelessly to ensure students in both rural and urban areas understand the value of American agriculture here across our country and the world. For more details, contact Vice President of Development, Kelly Manning.
ON THE TRACK First Primary American Ethanol No. 3 Paint Out This Weekend
American Ethanol has its first primary paint out of the year for Austin Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at the Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway. The race will be televised live on Saturday night, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on FOX Sports 1.
Be sure to keep an eye on the American Ethanol Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels leading up to and during the race for updates on how Dillon and the No. 3 team are faring in the brand-new American Ethanol Chevy. And check your inboxes tomorrow for more details about the race in our weekly American Ethanol Performance Update. 
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. |
