TOP STORY

Nevada Moves to Add E15

Over the weekend, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed AB 411 into law, legislation that would require the Nevada Board of Agriculture to approve a fifteen percent ethanol blended fuel (E15) as part of any fuel regulation adopted by July 1, 2022. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement applauding Nevada for moving to approve E15 as part of its state fuel regulations: 

“By signing AB411 into law, Governor Sisolak is providing Nevadans with the opportunity save money at the pump and fill up with the plant-based biofuels like E15, a fuel blended with fifteen percent renewable ethanol,” said Skor. “Nevadans will soon have the choice to fuel up with plant-based biofuels through E15, a simple choice that not only saves them money at the pump but will also benefit the earth. We’re looking forward to working with retailers across the state to add E15 to their fuel offerings so Nevadans have greater access a liquid fuel that reduces their carbon emissions.” 

Once the regulation is finalized, Nevada would be the 47th state to approve E15 for consumers. Currently, E15 - marketed to consumers as Unleaded 88 - is offered at over 2,440 retail sites in 30 states and 230 terminals. Consumers have driven over 21 billion miles on E15 to date. 

IN GLOBAL

Growth Energy Urges VP Harris to Promote E10 in Mexico

Mexico's energy department failed to finalize rulemaking to allow E10 in their fuel marketplace, reverting the country's fuel blend to a 5.8% blend of ethanol and cutting off trade from U.S. producers.

Ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Mexico earlier this week to meet with their leadership on migration, economic development, environment, and other issues, Growth Energy led a letter urging Vice President Harris to raise this E10 issue with her Mexican counterparts: 

"On behalf of our members, which include some of our country’s largest renewable fuel
producers, we are writing to thank you for your efforts to promote U.S. clean energy and
environmental partnerships around the world. We encourage you to leverage your upcoming visit
to Mexico City and meeting with President Obrador as a mechanism to strengthen the bilateral
renewable fuel trading relationship with Mexico."

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz.

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

IFF To Commercialize DSM Yeast Technology

IFF’s Health & Biosciences division, a world leader in sustainable biotechnology solutions, announced that they have entered into an agreement to offer advanced yeasts for first generation ethanol production developed by DSM Bio-based Products & Services. Under the terms of this agreement, DSM’s eBoost® product line will immediately become part of IFF’s XCELIS® Ethanol Solutions platform and will be offered and supported by IFF’s experienced global commercial team. In addition, IFF’s R&D team will collaborate with DSM scientists to accelerate IFF’s on-going development of high-performance yeast products. By combining the strengths of the companies’ patented and proprietary technologies, IFF’s XCELIS® Ethanol Solutions platform will deliver new yeasts with unparalleled yield, robustness and enzyme expression.

Atul Thakrar, President of DSM Bio-based Products & Services stated, “We are excited by the potential of this agreement with IFF. By adding our eBoost® product line to IFF’s platform, IFF will deliver even more value to ethanol producers thanks to an enhanced yeast technology and portfolio, complementary enzymes, advanced data tools, global supply and regulatory infrastructure and an extensive technical and commercial global field organization. This collaboration is the optimal way to deliver the benefits of our yeast technologies to the broadest group of ethanol producers globally.”

High yield yeasts and other advancements in the ethanol industry have enabled US producers to increase ethanol yields by 6.5%, reduce energy inputs by 24% while delivering ever-greater quantities of low carbon biofuels and animal feed*. By increasing yields, speeding up fermentation, reducing energy and chemical consumption, IFF’s XCELIS® Ethanol Solutions platform is helping ethanol producers meet the challenges of today’s renewable energy market.

Novozymes: Biofuels Available During Colonial Pipeline Gas Shortage

At the height of the Colonial pipeline gas shortage, higher blends of ethanol were ready and available at the pump. Novozymes' Mark Lasher of North Carolina experienced the fuel shortage himself and shared his firsthand account of filling up on E85 and Unleaded88, finding a better price for fuel, and making a difference for the environment.

Letter: Ethanol Checks All the Boxes

Jan tenBensel, Chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, shared ethanol's environmental benefits in a letter to the editor in the Lincoln Journal Star:

"While we wait for electric vehicles to become affordable and infrastructure to be built, America’s ethanol industry is ready now to address our nation’s climate issues and support energy independence," wrote tenBensel.

"Transportation is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Ethanol is a plant-based, natural octane source. When blended into gasoline, ethanol displaces toxic chemicals used for octane -- reducing GHG and tailpipe emissions. A 2021 Harvard study compared gas and ethanol, proving ethanol’s carbon intensity score is 46% lower than gasoline's."

For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Growth Energy Shares E15 Advantage at Southwest Fuel Expo

Regional Sales Directors Will Beck and David Durling attended the 2021 Southwest Fuel Expo, the most comprehensive event for fuel, food, and convenience retailers in the Southwest United States, and connected with over 30 retail chains representing more than 2,900 locations. Beck and Durling represented Growth Energy and shared the competitive advantage of E15 with prospective and existing retail partners.

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

IN COMMUNICATIONS

Skor: Framing a Bright Future for Biofuels

Growth Energy plant members and innovators, where we discussed our industry’s ambitions and bold plans for the future. After a tough year, it was truly inspiring to see so many colleagues and peers in one place."

"Together, we’re framing the future on our terms, building on a growing appreciation among lawmakers for the full diversity of our industry and the vital role biofuels play in addressing climate change."

The Weekly 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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