TOP STORY

President Trump Announces Plan to Uphold RFS

Last week, Growth Energy applauded President Trump's plan to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and ensure that biofuel blending targets are actually met each year.

Under the plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would accurately account for lost gallons from this point forward based on a 3-year average of all exempted gallons, beginning with the 2020 biofuel targets, and break down regulatory and infrastructure barriers to higher biofuel blends. In doing so, ethanol producers and farmers across the Midwest will finally be able to take full advantage of year-round sales of E15. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor also noted the critical need to ensure EPA follows through on the president's commitment:

“To restore growth and revitalize farm income, it’s vital that the EPA stay true to the president’s promise, and we will be working closely with leaders in Washington to ensure that happens. What matters now is how quickly we can restore demand for U.S. farmers and put biofuel gallons back to work for America’s economy.”

Thanking Our Biofuels Champions

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

IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT

Summer Sales Drive 11 Billion Miles on E15

This week, American drivers surpassed 11 billion miles driven on E15 fuel, marking another billion miles driven on E15 since June alone. June marked the first summer driving season since EPA lifted the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restriction on summer sales of the fuel. At the start of this year's summer season, sales of E15 had already grown by over 25 percent compared to 2018. We expect that number to continue to grow, as fuel retailers and drivers across the nation take advantage of the fuel's retail and environmental benefits.

Read our blog post celebrating 11 billion miles on E15 here. And, if you're a fuel retailer looking for more information on how to integrate E15 fuel into your retail offerings, be sure to visit our retailer hub at the button below:

Expanding Retail Markets for E15 at NACS Show 2019

Last week, Growth Energy hosted a booth at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show in Atlanta, Ga. to educate fuel retailers on the benefits of offering E15 fuel. Retail events like the 2019 NACS show are critical to expanding the availability of higher blends of ethanol fuel across the country, and this year our staff were joined by representatives from Minnoco who brought firsthand retail experience with higher blends to attendees.

Our partnerships with key fuel retailers like Minnoco, through the Prime the Pump program, have been central to our efforts to expand retail market access for higher blends. Growth Energy’s leadership at NACS and similar events over the years has helped provide retailers with the technical and marketing tools and resources they need to successfully integrate E15 into their convenience store locations to grow the domestic market for biofuels.

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

IN REGULATION

Surface Transportation Board Continues its Scrutiny of Unfair Rail Charges

Earlier this week, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced decisions and proposals further evaluating the fairness and reciprocity of demurrage, accessorial fees, and detention charges. Specifically, the STB defended shippers by addressing reasonable charges and fees and improving transparency in how they are applied:

"First, demurrage rules and charges are not reasonable when they do not serve to incentivize the behavior of shippers and receivers to encourage the efficient use of rail assets. In other words, charges should not be assessed in circumstances beyond the shipper’s or receiver’s reasonable control. It follows, then, that revenue from demurrage charges should reflect reasonable financial incentives to advance the overarching purpose of demurrage and that revenue is not itself the purpose. Second, transparency and mutual accountability by both rail carriers and the shippers and receivers they serve are important factors in the establishment and administration of reasonable demurrage and accessorial rules and charges."

The Board is seeking additional comments on their proposal by November 6, 2019.

In May, Growth Energy submitted comments to STB on the effects that these fees and charges have on rail shippers. In our comments, we argued that these fees undermined a strong and efficient rail system and increased rates beyond the normal pricing structure. Our comments underscored that these fees should not act as a billion-dollar revenue stream for the railroads.

Growth Energy plans on submitting additional comments in the coming weeks in support of reducing fees and charges on shippers. Read our previously submitted comments here.

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

ON THE TRACK

Special American Ethanol Paint Out this Weekend

Austin Dillon will have the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevy Camaro ZL1 back on the racetrack this weekend at the famed Talladega Superspeedway, but the car will have a slightly updated special-edition paint scheme. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Talladega holds a special place in the history of RCR.

Growth Energy board member and chairman/CEO of RCR Richard Childress got his first opportunity to compete in a NASCAR-sanctioned event 50 years ago in the fall of 1969 when 16 drivers boycotted the race at Talladega Superspeedway, allowing him to enter the field for the first time in his career as a NASCAR driver. So, the race this weekend is an especially important part of RCR’s 50th anniversary celebration, and American Ethanol will honor 50 years by running a paint scheme with a gold No. 3 and gold accents on our American Ethanol “e” logo on Austin Dillon’s car.

Be sure to follow American Ethanol on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for content and updates heading into the race weekend, and don’t forget to show your support for Austin Dillon on social media as well.

This weekend’s anniversary celebration for RCR will precede an important American Ethanol milestone of our own that we look forward to highlighting next month, so stay tuned!

For more details, contact Senior Manager of Communications, Austin Dabney.

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

Celebrating 100 Issues of the Weekly Rundown

The 100th issue of the Weekly Rundown came at a historic moment for our industry - on the back of securing year-round sales of E15 fuel and with President Trump directing EPA to account for gallons lost due to small refinery exemptions.

At this 100-issue milestone, we wanted to take a moment to thank all Growth Energy members for their tireless work and passion on behalf of this industry. Your hard work and support are the reason we have been able to continuously move our industry forward and make the strides that we have.

Here is to 100 more!

For more questions or comments, 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. 

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