No. 171 April 15, 2021 ![]() TOP STORY Ready for Another Summer with Year-Round E15 With the second anniversary of year-round E15 just around the corner, prospects are bright for America’s biofuels industry. That’s because, after a year that most Americans would sooner forget, we’re heading into a new summer driving season with fewer headwinds, greater momentum and a groundswell of support for lower-carbon fuels.
That’s why Growth Energy is working overtime to ensure that this EPA upholds President Biden’s promises to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard and takes advantage of every opportunity to fuel our country’s climate progress with homegrown biofuels. We’re already hearing the same old song-and-dance routine from refiners that hope to derail the growth of higher blends with tired, debunked claims about American biofuels and the obligations of the RFS. Fortunately, the facts are on our side.
WORKING FOR YOU IN LEGAL Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA Defend Year-Round E15 in Court IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS State E15 Update: Washington
State E15 Update: Iowa
State E15 Update: Indiana
Last Call: Tell EPA to Fix Onerous E15 Labeling and Remove Infrastructure Barriers IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT Opinion: 20 Billion Miles on E15 IN COMMUNICATIONS Tune in: CEO Emily Skor Joins 'Midwest Ag Matters' IN OUR ASSOCIATION Novozymes, Poet LLC, and Quad County Corn Processors Urge Biden To Set GHG Reduction Goal
Minnesota Corn Commits $1 Million to Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program
Growth Energy Shares Social Media Best Practices with FFA
Get Biofuel MMA ON THE TRACK American Ethanol Gift Pack UPCOMING EVENTS
Federal E15 Labeling Comment Deadline April 19
Earth Day April 22
Supreme Court: HollyFrontier v. RFA Oral Arguments April 27
IN LEGAL Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA Defend Year-Round E15 in Court On Tuesday, the D.C. Circuit Court heard oral arguments in American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA, a case in which oil refiners challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2019 rulemaking that paved the way for the year-round sale of E15. Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the National Corn Growers Association also argued in support of upholding the RVP rule in court.
In a joint statement, Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA said, “Oil refiners are simply trying to reclaim more market share by blocking American drivers from year-round access to a more affordable, lower-carbon fuel at the pump. Studies have repeatedly shown that the volatility of E15 is lower than that of E10. Other recent studies find that a nationwide switch from E10 to E15 would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road. If the refiners had their way and this rule was overturned, both volatile emissions and greenhouse gas emissions would increase. EPA’s E15 rule should be upheld because it is consistent with Congressional intent and the Clean Air Act, good for the environment, good for the rural communities that rely on a strong biofuels industry, and good for American drivers who want more options at the pump.” For more information, please contact General Counsel Joe Kakesh.
IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS State E15 Update: Washington The Washington state legislature passed legislation to create a low-carbon fuel standard in the state no later than the start of 2023, targeting greenhouse gas emissions reductions from transportation fuels by 10% from 2017 levels by 2028 and 20% by 2035.
State E15 Update: Iowa In the Iowa state legislature, House and Senate legislation to standardize and expand access to E15 is picking up steam. H.F. 859 would ensure that all Iowans can enjoy the benefits of E15. It would drive demand for homegrown biofuels, create more jobs for rural workers, and give hard-working Iowa farmers a greater market for their crops. Unnecessary delays in statewide access would cost Iowans by weakening demand for Iowa corn and denying consumers savings at the pump.
E15 is ready now, and we’re counting on Iowa lawmakers to lead the nation in making E15 the standard choice at pumps statewide.
State E15 Update: Indiana Unfortunately, the Indiana legislature has fast-tracked a bill that would stall the rural recovery, cheating Hoosier farmers out of a growing market and forcing Indiana families to pay more at the pump. SB 303 would add a cigarette-style warning label on E15 dispensers, sowing consumer confusion, while also codifying regulatory ambiguity designed to discourage more retailers from offering E15.
The ethanol industry supports 23,800 Indiana jobs and contributes $2.2 billion annually to the state’s economy. The expansion of E15 should be allowed to build on that growth, boost farm income, and support Hoosier jobs.
Last Call: Tell EPA to Fix Onerous E15 Labeling and Remove Infrastructure Barriers As rural communities continue to rebuild in the wake of COVID-19, and as motorists return to the roads, it’s critical that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) address the barriers that hold back the sale of higher ethanol blends like E15. Growing markets for biofuels could provide an economic lifeline for rural communities and ensure more motorists can enjoy cleaner, more affordable fuel options like E15.
The EPA is currently collecting comments on proposed new rules for fuel dispenser labels and fueling infrastructure for higher ethanol blends. With 95 percent of vehicles approved for E15 and 20 billion miles driven on the fuel, it’s time for EPA to fix the outdated and confusing fuel labels and clear hurdles to the sale of E15 through existing infrastructure. Expanding access to higher blends of ethanol will deliver immediate benefits for our environment and human health.
Join us today in calling on the EPA to help American farmers, biofuel workers, and motorists by fixing onerous labeling and infrastructure barriers to E15. The deadline to submit a comment is this Monday, April 19th, 2021. Help us spread the word by sharing on your social media. Download our social media toolkit here. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT Opinion: 20 Billion Miles on E15 Last month, Growth Energy was excited to announce another retail market milestone: Americans surpassed 20 billion miles driven on E15. Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien penned an op-ed in Ethanol Producer Magazine explaining why this milestone is a testament to the continued success of E15 at the pump.
For more information, please contact Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien. IN COMMUNICATIONS Tune In: CEO Emily Skor Joins 'Midwest Ag Matters' CEO Emily Skor joined Rob Winters on 'Midwest Ag Matters' to discuss E15 labeling legislation that will soon head to Indiana Governor Holcomb's desk. Skor explains why adding confusing and duplicative labeling to E15 fuel pumps will ultimately hurt Hoosier farmers and the state's economy.
IN OUR ASSOCIATION Novozymes, Poet LLC, and Quad County Corn Processors Urge Biden To Set GHG Reduction Goal Novozymes, Poet LLC, and Quad County Corn Processors are among 310 businesses and investors that have signed an open letter to President Biden urging his administration to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
Minnesota Corn Commits $1 Million to Ethanol Infrastructure Grant Program The Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council (MCR&PC) and Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) announced a commitment of $1 million to a future state biofuels infrastructure grant program. The program, to be administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, would expand access to higher blends of ethanol in the state.
“Expanding access and use of higher ethanol blends is a top priority for MCGA,” said Tim Waibel, a farmer in Courtland, Minn., and President of MCGA. “MCGA is proud to be a part of the solution in helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions through the use of higher blends of ethanol, while providing drivers with a higher octane and lower priced fuel.”
Growth Energy Shares Social Media Best Practices with FFA Last week, Growth Energy Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh and Communications Manager Katie Webster met virtually with members of FFA chapters nationwide to discuss best practices for social media and advocacy communications. During virtual training, part of FFA's SpeakAg Pioneer program, the Growth Energy team walked FFA members through the social media decision making process and provided an inside look into Growth Energy's communications strategy.
Get Biofuel MMA ![]() On Friday evening, Get Biofuel's MMA fighter Ryan Bader won the first round of the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Bellator 256. Be sure to follow along with the Get Biofuel MMA team at @GetBiofuelMMA on Twitter and @GetBiofuel_MMA on Instagram. For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
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