TOP STORY

New ‘State of the Industry’ Ethanol Data Hub

Today, Growth Energy is unveiling a new one-stop-shop for the latest information on America’s biofuel industry, with user-friendly tools to track and visualize important trends – from ethanol production and exports to U.S. blending. The new online dashboard integrates key statistics from multiple sources and offers members, allies, and the media a look under the hood at Growth Energy’s exclusive data on the expanding retail footprint for E15. Members can take advantage of the new data hub today, and we’ll be rolling it out with reporters, policymakers, and their staff in the coming weeks.

To learn more about the features of our Ethanol Data Hub, click here or on the image below to watch an overview of the resources available.

For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

IN COMMUNICATIONS

This week in our "Conversations with Biofuel Champions" summer video series, our CEO Emily Skor had the opportunity to visit with one of our newest biofuel champions: U.S. Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Iowa.

Watch the conversation between Congresswoman Finkenauer and Emily Skor here or by clicking on the image below. 

In case you missed it, last week, Skor spoke with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst about her work in the Senate to protect the RFS. Watch it here.

Next week, we'll hear from U.S. Representative Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) about what he's hearing on his rural tour of the First District of Kansas. Be sure to tune in!

As COVID-19 continues to devastate our biofuel producers and rural communities, NOW more than ever we need to STAND UP for the Renewable Fuel Standard and DEMAND that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deliver certainty to US farmers.  

Despite promises to enforce the law, the EPA has yet to rule on at least 80 exemption requests filed by oil companies seeking to push biofuels out of the market. Worse, the agency is now considering 52 retroactive exemptions dated as far back as 2011 – an absurd effort to dodge the law at the expense of rural communities. Our farmers can’t afford more demand destruction; THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. 

A year ago, in Council Bluffs, President Trump promised to fight for the American farmer. Now more than ever, we need his administration to deliver on its long-overdue promises and PUT AMERICAN FARMERS FIRST.  

Send a letter to your leaders in Congress to show your support for biofuels. ACT NOW to make your voice heard.

Be sure to encourage others to act by sharing this message on your social media channels. Click here or on the button below to download Growth Energy's member-only social media toolkit, which includes graphics and sample posts.  

For more details, contact Vice President of Communications Elizabeth Funderburk.

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Growth Energy testifies on low-carbon ethanol and EPA test fuels

On Monday, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley offered testimony during a virtual public hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) test protocols for U.S. fuels. The agency is currently updating Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards to reflect the modern transition to higher blends of low-carbon ethanol.

“Ethanol is a low-carbon biofuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average of 39 percent compared to gasoline,” Bliley told regulators. “Today, 98 percent of our nation’s gasoline is blended with 10 percent ethanol becoming the de facto fuel for American consumers, and with year-round approval of E15 and the potential of high octane, midlevel blends, we’re poised to do much, much more. So, it was very appropriate that the Tier 3 fuel regulation change the certification fuel from E0 to El0.”

Bliley also urged the agency to update its R-factor, a metric used to calculate fuel efficiency, and ensure the final rule accurately reflects the real-world value of ethanol in reducing greenhouse gases and improving air quality.

“Our foremost goal is that any changes to procedures must not stifle the development and innovation of engine and fuel technologies,” added Bliley. “We look forward to working with the agency to address these technical issues, so that we can continue to give automakers and policymakers the tools necessary to foster the use of ethanol blends – particularly as we look to the use of high octane, midlevel ethanol blends to meet current and future greenhouse gas standards.

Written comments on the proposal are due by August 11. To learn more about the contributions of biofuels to clean air and a healthy climate, click here.

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

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

On Tuesday, July 14th, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held an oversight hearing with Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette. The Department of Energy is currently reviewing the 52 “gap year” exemptions, so this provided another opportunity for our congressional champions on the committee, like Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA), to ask pointed questions about how the department plans to deal with these pending exemptions.

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

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

We are pleased to announce the addition of Innovative Technologies to Growth Energy. Innovative Technologies is a full service centrifuge company. By continuing to make advancements in their products and techniques, they provide efficient and effective solutions and continue to establish ourselves as a nationwide leader. 

"Innovative Technologies is proud to be joining Growth Energy," said Jason Rangel, vice president of operations. "As a leading supplier to this great industry we wanted to support our customers not only with exceptional service and products,  but by also supporting the many platforms that Growth Energy leads in creating new markets for our customers." 

Please join the us in giving Innovative Technologies a warm welcome! Learn more about their company at https://inn-technologies.com.

Enjoy America's favorite and largest car talk radio show airing on over 220 stations on your phone with the Under the Hood app!

Established in 1990, the program features three friends giving car repair, maintenance advice, and how-to tips while having great fun with the listeners. Join them to get your car questions answered and learn about everything automotive. The Under the Hood team are also valuable advocates for ethanol, helping to set the record straight on myths and encourage listeners to check out higher blends of ethanol fuel, like Unleaded 88.

Download the Under the Hood app for your Apple here.

Download the Under the Hood app for your Android here.

For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Last week, Growth Energy developed and shared a new infographic for retailers on compatibility for E15 and higher blends of ethanol fuel. This infographic aims to dispel many myths and answer questions on E15 compatibility, and we hope will be a valuable resource for our members and partners as we work to expand consumer access to E15.  

We shared this infographic with Convenience Store Decision - a 23,000 audience of convenience store decision makers - and is also available to download on our website under "Equipment Compatibility" in the Retailer Hub.

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

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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