IN THE WHITE HOUSE

White House RFS Discussions Continue 

Discussions continue in Washington, D.C. among the USDA, the EPA, and the White House in the wake of the Presidential meeting on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with biofuel producers and oil refiners.  While we strongly advocate in support of RVP relief for higher ethanol blends and increased ethanol blending as the solution, there continues to be advocacy from oil refiners for a cap on RINs.  We are working closely with our Senate champions and other industry stakeholders around potential ideas that will grow the market for biofuels and are absolutely firm in opposing a RIN cap and will continue to keep you updated as discussions continue.

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

ON THE HILL

Section 199(a) Reform

Funding authority for the federal government expires at midnight on Friday. As of 10:30 last night, Congress was still considering the final content of that bill. One of the remaining open items is a fix to the tax bill passed last December that left an unintended consequence on the U.S. grain market, known as Sec. 199(a). According to several press reports, it appears that a fix to this issue will not be included in the package. Please know we will continue to follow this issue and will keep you apprised of any movement.

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

Ways & Means Committee Meeting 

The House Ways and Means Committee holds hearings this week on the U.S. Trade Policy Agenda with Ambassador Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross.  We expect most of the discussion will be focused on larger trade issues around NAFTA, the recently announced steel tariffs, and tariffs related to China, but we will continue to monitor for any discussion of ethanol tariffs.

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

AT THE PUMP

The Growth of Flex Fuel Vehicles 

According to RL Polk, there are currently over 21 million flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road today. The number of FFVs in the past several years has increased substantially. Especially when you take a look at the past five years, which is where you see the most significant growth from 10 million to over 21 million.

As you can see from the chart, diesel on the other hand, has had little growth in the past five years. In 2013, 6.7 million vehicles were manufactured for diesel and in 2018, there were only 8.3 million vehicles.

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

AT THE PLANTS

Member of the Week: POET Coon Rapids

Growth Energy is excited to continue our new regular Weekly Rundown feature: Member of the Week! Each week, we'll introduce you to one of our association's members and get to know them on a more personal level. This week it's POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids.

• Name of company and city/state in which you’re located:
  •  POET Biorefining – Coon Rapids

• Management Team:
  • President/CEO: Bill Howell
  • Plant Manager: Ryan Filloon
  • EHHS Manager: Naomi Ferguson 
  • Manager: Joan Wiskus 
  • PSM Manager: Mike Nees
  • Plant Controller: Julie Long
  • Maintenance Manager: Doug Wurzer
  • Commodities Manager: Jack Myers

• How long has the company been in operation?
  • The first grind at POET Coon Rapids was 15.5 years ago in August of 2002.

• Do you make any ethanol co-products?
  • Yes. Corn Oil, 50% Mod, DG and DDG.

• How long have you been a GE member?
  • POET has been with Growth Energy since the beginning.

• What do you consider some of your company’s main accomplishments?
  • Community Involvement, Political Affairs and Relationships, Process Improvement, STEM, and growing a strong operating team.

• What's your website address?
  • www.POET.com/coonrapids

• What do you like about being a member of Growth Energy?
  • Being represented by a very professional organization who uses market data to target in developing organizational focus. Also, the organization’s credibility and influence in the industry and political world.

• Any other fun facts?
  • Coon Rapids was the hometown of Roswell "Bob" Garst (June 13, 1898 – November 4, 1977) an American farmer and seed company executive. He developed hybrid corn seed in 1930 that allowed greater crop yields than open-pollinated corn. He was perhaps most well- known for hosting Nikita Khrushchev on his farm in Coon Rapids, Iowa, on September 23, 1959. He sold hybrid seed to the Soviet Union beginning in 1955 and played a role in improving US-Soviet communication.

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

IN THE FASTLANE

Austin Dillon’s new-look 2018 No. 3 Chevy Camaro ZL1 will debut on March 25 in the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway

We are thrilled to debut the redesigned paint scheme at Martinsville, and will be eagerly waiting to see if Austin can capture his first Cup Series win in the American Ethanol No. 3 car!

We are also excited to host our first American Ethanol Engine Performance Workshop of 2018 at the race! We will be joined by a group of instructors from the North Carolina Universal Technical Institute campus, who will be treated to an engine performance seminar with ECR Engines’ Dr. Andy Randolph, as well as a VIP track experience courtesy of Richard Childress Racing. Be sure to keep an eye on our American Ethanol social media channels during the Martinsville race weekend. 

For more details, contact Manager of Communications Austin Dabney.

The Weekly Rundown is the weekly newsletter for Growth Energy's members. It is published 52 times a year by the communications staff at Growth Energy. For more information, email team@growthenergy.org. 

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