No. 180 June 24, 2021
![]() TOP STORY On Tuesday, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor participated in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy hearing titled “Renewable Energy – Growth and Opportunities for our Rural Economies”. In the hearing, Skor spoke on biofuels’ ability to drive economic growth using data from a new Growth Energy study, achieve our nation’s carbon reduction goals, and provide critical jobs in rural America.
“Biofuels like ethanol are critical to meeting carbon reduction goals today and well into the future. In fact, studies show there is no path to net-zero emissions by 2050 without biofuels,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “The economic benefits of increased biofuel use are clear...Growing the share of renewable biofuels in America’s fuel supply is crucial to achieving net-zero emissions and promoting high paying, clean energy jobs in rural America.” Watch the full hearing here.
The new Growth Energy study conducted by ABF Economics shows that nationwide adoption of E15, a high-performance 15 percent biofuel blend, could offer significant economic benefits to consumers and workers alike. Authored by John M. Urbanchuk, managing partner of ABF Economics, the economic impact report indicates that nationwide access to E15 could add billions to the U.S. economy, generate greater household income, and save consumers money. Specifically, the data show that a nationwide transition to E15 would:
“Nationwide use of E15 will expand ethanol production and require a substantial increase in new production capacity relative to current E10 use,” the study notes. “This expansion also will stimulate demand for agricultural feedstocks that will directly benefit farm income. The economic benefits from nationwide E15 use are significant increases in GDP, jobs supported in all sectors of the economy, household income and tax revenue.”
These economic benefits would coincide with well-established environmental advantages offered by E15. A previous study released by Growth Energy demonstrated that a nationwide transition from E10 to E15 would lower greenhouse gas emissions by 17.62 million tons annually – the equivalent of removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road.
WORKING FOR YOU IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Growth Energy Thanks U.S. House Republicans for Standing up for the RFS, Rural America IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Oregon Approves E15 for Consumers ON THE TRACK Get Bioethanol Car Debuts at Nashville Superspeedway IN OUR ASSOCIATION Growth Energy Welcomes Rod Harris as New Board Member
Eco-Energy Starts Work on its New Ethanol Distribution Terminal
Big River Resources Welcomes Iowa Gov. Reynolds
Growth Energy Staff Tours Member Plants in South Dakota, Iowa UPCOMING EVENTS
IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Growth Energy Thanks U.S. House Republicans for Standing up for the RFS, Rural America In a letter to President Biden, 20 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives urged the president to quickly and publicly affirm that his administration will not undermine clean renewable fuels.
“We remain concerned that any attempt to undermine the law as it relates to the RFS will damage our rural economies and harm our local farmers and biofuels producers,” wrote the members. “We stand ready to work with you and look forward solutions that grow the biofuels industry and provide certainty to our local farmers and producers.”
Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, thanked the members standing up for American farmers and biofuels producers:
“As soon as reports circulated of potential handouts to the oil industry, our biofuels champions immediately raised alarm on behalf of rural America,” said Skor. “Not only would reducing biofuel blending obligations be a reversal of this administration’s repeated and unequivocal promises to support rural clean energy jobs and uphold the RFS, it would also backtrack on the administration’s climate change efforts, of which our farmers have made a strong effort to be a part.
“We thank the 20 members who signed this letter, and we hope that the loud voices of rural champions on both sides of the aisle over the past week will encourage President Biden to halt any potential deal to reduce biofuel blending.” For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Oregon Approves E15 for Consumers Yesterday, Governor Kate Brown (D-Ore.) signed HB 3051, clarifying the ability of retailers to sell fifteen percent ethanol blended fuel (E15). CEO Emily Skor released the following statement applauding Oregon for becoming the 48th state to approve E15:
“We applaud the state of Oregon and Gov. Brown on clarifying that E15 is approved for sale and giving drivers across the state access to a more affordable, better for the environment option at the pump,” said Skor. “Oregon’s approval of E15 comes just weeks after recent news from neighboring Nevada, who enacted legislation to approve E15. We look forward to working with West Coast retailers to offer drivers an engine smart, earth kind fuel.”
Currently, E15 — marketed to consumers as Unleaded 88 — is offered at over 2,440 retail sites in 30 states and 230 terminals. Consumers have driven over 21 billion miles on E15 to date. Consumers can find a station near them at GetBiofuel.com. For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
ON THE TRACK Get Bioethanol Car Debuts at Nashville Superspeedway Over the weekend at the Nashville Superspeedway, the Get Bioethanol car debuted. The car, driven by #3 Austin Dillon, showcased the performance benefits of racing with engine smart and earth kind bioethanol blended fuel, Sunoco Green E15. Dillon finished the race in 12th place.
“Bioethanol” is another commonly used term for “ethanol”, particularly embraced by the global audience. Same plant-based, low carbon fuel – different name. The NASCAR fleet will still run on a fifteen percent bioethanol blend, Sonoco Green E15.
For years, Dillon raced under the American Ethanol banner. The new “Get Bioethanol” brand allows us to quickly convey ethanol’s environmental attributes to a global audience and draw attention to NASCAR Green’s efforts to minimize the sport’s environmental impact. It goes hand-in-hand with our consumer initiative, Get Biofuel, that will launch nationally this fall. You can learn more at GetBiofuel.com. ![]() ![]() ![]() For more information, please contact Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh. IN OUR ASSOCIATION Growth Energy Welcomes Rod Harris as New Board Member ![]() Growth Energy is pleased to welcome Rod Harris, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for the Trade and Processing Group at The Andersons, as our newest board member.
Rod joined The Andersons in January 1991 as the internal audit manager and has since progressed through the roles of regional grain accounting manager, Alboin grain location general manager, ethanol business development manager, and director of ethanol operations. Rod has played a key role in The Anderson's ethanol business since its inception, including initial plant site development and permitting, managing major capital projects, leading technology upgrades, and overseeing feed product development.
Before joining The Andersons, Rod worked for KPMG in the audit group for six years where he obtained his Ohio CPA license. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo.
Welcome, Rod!
Eco-Energy Starts Work on its New Ethanol Distribution Terminal Eco-Energy has announced that it has started construction on its ethanol distribution facility in Stockton, California. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in March 2022 and will be the 11th ethanol distribution terminal constructed by Eco-Energy over the past decade.
Big River Resources Welcomes Iowa Gov. Reynolds Last week, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stopped by Big River Resources' Dyersville, Iowa, facility. Reynolds took a tour of the facility and joined the team, including CEO and Growth Energy board member Jim Leiting, for a discussion on biofuels.
Growth Energy Staff Tours Member Plants in South Dakota, Iowa Following the hiring of multiple new Growth Energy staff members over the past few months, the Growth Energy team gathered together in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for visits to four different member plants. During the tours, staff members met plant managers, toured the plant facilities, and discussed how Growth Energy can continue to best serve and represent our members. The success of our members is what drives what we do every day, and we appreciated the time and energy of each plant to show our team around. Growth Energy CEO and staff at POET's Hudson, Iowa plant. ![]() Growth Energy staff at Glacial Lakes Energy in Watertown, SD. Growth Energy staff at Siouxland Energy in Sioux Center, Iowa. Growth Energy staff at POET's Mitchell, SD plant. For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
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