No. 208 January 20, 2022
TOP STORY New from USDA: FAQ on Pandemic Assistance On January 17th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a "Frequently Asked Questions" resource on the Biofuel Producer Program. This resource outlines helpful information for those applying for relief, including:
After a year of advocacy efforts by Growth Energy and our industry partners, USDA announced on December 8, 2021 that the agency is now making available $700 million in direct payments to biofuel producers adversely impacted by the health pandemic. These funds were authorized through the COVID relief legislation that was signed into law in late 2020.
The program application is open through February 11, 2022. In December, Growth Energy shared a break down of what you need to know about the $700 million available, how to apply, and additional links and resources. That information is available on our website. For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
WORKING FOR YOU IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Today: Vilsack to Testify Before House Ag Committee
Skor Says: CEO Emily Skor Shares 2022 Policy Priorities with Brownfield Ag Radio IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Bliley Appointed to EPA Advisory Committee
Make Your Voice Heard on 2020, 2021, and 2022 RVOs
Update: Funding for Inland Waterways IN OUR ASSOCIATION NUVU Focusing on High-Octane Ethanol Fuels at New Manistee Area Gas Station UPCOMING EVENTS
January 25, 2022
USDA’s 98th Agricultural Outlook Forum February 24 - 25, 2022
EPA/DOE Workshop on Biofuel GHG Modeling February 28 - March 1, 2022
IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Today: Vilsack to Testify Before House Ag Committee Today at 9AM ET/8AM CT, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack will testify before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee in a hearing titled, "To Review the State of the Rural Economy with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack." Secretary Vilsack will testify on all aspects of our American rural economy, including the ethanol industry. Be sure to tune in this morning by using this link or clicking the image below.
Skor Says: CEO Emily Skor Shares 2022 Policy Priorities with Brownfield Ag Radio In an interview with Brownfield Ag Radio, CEO Emily Skor discussed Growth Energy's policy priorities for 2022, which include restoring certainty to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), eliminating barriers to higher blends of low-carbon ethanol, and utilizing biofuels as a low-cost pathway to achieve climate goals. In her interview, Skor expanded on restoring certainty to the RFS as a top priority.
"Everyone in our industry understands just how much this is foundational to our ability to continue to grow as an industry. And we've got a lot of pending decisions before EPA with respect to the RFS, so we've got to make sure that the RFS remains whole and intact, and administered in line with Congressional intent." For more information, please contact Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John Fuher. IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Bliley Appointed to EPA Advisory Committee U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan has appointed Growth Energy’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley to EPA’s Mobile Sources Technical Review (MSTR) Subcommittee. The subcommittee provides the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) with independent advice and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of EPA programs related to mobile-source air pollution and motor vehicles and engine fuels.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor congratulated Bliley on his appointment:
“With decades of experience at EPA, Congress, and in the biofuels industry under his belt, I can’t think of a more well-suited person to serve on this subcommittee than Chris Bliley,” said Skor. “Bliley leads our team and the association’s 92 biorefineries in working with EPA to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol in the agency’s proposals and regulations. With the continued role of biofuels and higher biofuel blended fuel options in lowering emissions, it’s important to have a seat at the table on EPA’s MSTR Subcommittee, and I look forward to Chris’ important contributions.”
SVP of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley thanked EPA and Administrator Regan for his appointment:
“I’m honored to join the MSTR Subcommittee and serve in an advisory role to EPA and to their efforts related to emission modeling and engine fuel policy,” said Bliley. “Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with EPA staff, leadership, and many others around the development of rules and regulations related to the Clean Air Act. I look forward to continuing this important work along with my other subcommittee members.”
Make Your Voice Heard on 2020, 2021, and 2022 RVOs As you know, EPA has released its proposed 2020, 2021, and 2022 biofuel blending requirements. EPA’s projection of strong biofuel blending requirements in 2022, commitment to halt illegal refinery exemptions, and long-awaited progress toward complying with a 2017 court order on lost gallons represent a welcome step forward.
However, EPA also proposed rolling back blending requirements for 2020 and lowering volumes for 2021. The proposed retroactive cuts to 2020 not only exceed EPA’s legal authority under Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), they impact the entire fuel supply chain, including the farmers, producers, blenders, retailers, and responsible refiners whose business decisions depend on final blending requirements.
We need EPA to immediately fix the flaws to this proposal and finalize it as soon as possible. That’s why we are mobilizing advocates like you to send a clear message to the EPA to support proposals that increase the amount of biofuels like plant-based ethanol into our fuel supply.
Join us TODAY in sending a clear message to the EPA to finalize strong 2021 and 2022 RVOs and reject retroactive cuts to 2020 RVOs.
Update: Funding for Inland Waterways In December, Growth Energy joined the Agricultural Transportation Working Group in sending a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers requesting that they prioritize the efforts to modernize the inland waterway system for improved barge and waterway traffic of agricultural goods. Specifically, the letter pushes the Corps to update the locks and dams on the upper Mississippi River, including locks 24 and 25.
Yesterday, the Army Corps released its detailed spending plan which fully funds Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River at $732 million. Since the project was authorized in 2007, many in the agriculture community have been pushing for construction of these new 1,200-foot lock and dams which will help boost competitiveness and strengthen the overall system. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. IN OUR ASSOCIATION NUVU Focusing on High-Octane Ethanol Fuels at New Manistee Area Gas Station NUVU Fuels is opening its third Michigan location at the site of the former Kmart Big K Express gas station located along U.S. 31 in Filer Township.
In August, NUVU Real Estate LLC was awarded a $114,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replace six fuel dispensers at the site. The money was provided as part of the USDA’s higher blends infrastructure incentive program which aims to expand the availability of renewable biofuels. As a Michigan-based ethanol producer, NUVU Fuels has focused on offering higher-octane biofuel blends at its stations.
Congratulations to NUVU on their third location! For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
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