No. 183 July 15, 2021
![]() TOP STORY Taking Action on RVP This week, the bipartisan Year-Round Fuel Choice Act was introduced by Representatives Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) to ensure the continued availability of low-carbon fifteen percent ethanol fuel blends (E15) in all fuel markets year-round. The Senate version of the bill, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, was also introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
On July 2, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that lifted outdated restrictions on the summertime sale of E15, a cleaner burning fuel approved for 95% of cars on the road. This legislation would permanently extend the 1.0 psi summertime Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver to ethanol blends beyond E10, thus eliminating any seasonal restrictions on sales.
CEO Emily Skor released the following statement applauding the legislation:
“We’re grateful our Congressional champions acted swiftly on behalf of farmers, biofuel producers, and drivers nationwide to introduce the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act and the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act,” said Skor. “The bills would make permanent the RVP waiver for summertime use of higher blends of biofuels, ensuring consumers have year-round access to a lower-carbon, lower-emission renewable fuel that saves money at the pump.
“As this country works to address climate change, we must embrace ready solutions that can be implemented today to immediately reduce our carbon emissions in our current auto fleet. This legislation comes at a critical time on the heels of a court ruling that would allow the oil industry to monopolize the gas tank and push aside low-carbon renewable fuels. We will continue to work with our Congressional champions to see this legislation through, and fight to give Americans an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment by filling up on earth friendly fuel blends like E15.”
For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.
WORKING FOR YOU IN OUR ASSOCIATION In Review: Fuel Ethanol Workshop
Growth Energy Welcomes New Member Commodity & Ingredient Hedging IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT Economics and the Advantage of Replacing E10 with E15 IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Growth Energy Promotes Biofuels Ahead of CARB 2022 Scoping Plan IN COMMUNICATIONS Live on Instagram: CEO Emily Skor and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) UPCOMING EVENTS
Indiana Corn Growers Association High Octane Fuel Summit September 16 (Indianapolis, IN)
Growth Energy Biofuels Summit September 20 - 23 (Washington, DC)
IN OUR ASSOCIATION In Review: Fuel Ethanol Workshop This week, members of the Growth Energy team attended the 2021 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Des Moines, Iowa. Our booth in the convention hall featured our Get Biofuel campaign to spread the message of the importance of promoting the environmental benefits of higher blends of biofuels. ![]() Growth Energy Regional Sales Director Will Beck and Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley addressed this year's FEW crowd on the latest in ethanol market development and working with the Biden Administration on pressing biofuels issues of the day. CEO Emily Skor also attended the event and met with Growth Energy members. ![]() That's a wrap on the 2021 FEW! It was great to see so many of you in Des Moines and at our Get Biofuel booth.
Growth Energy Welcomes New Member Commodity & Ingredient Hedging We are pleased to announce the addition of Commodity & Ingredient Hedging, LLC to Growth Energy. Commodity & Ingredient Hedging is a technology-based risk management firm that provides education and customized price risk management services to businesses affected by volatility in the agriculture commodities markets.
"As industry leaders in technology and risk management, CIH recognizes the value in partnering with an organization like Growth Energy," said Patrick Gregory, President of Commodity & Ingredient Hedging. "After attending the Executive Leadership Conference and learning about all the great things the organization is working on, we are thrilled and proud to be joining Growth Energy."
Please join the us in giving Commodity & Ingredient Hedging a warm welcome! Learn more about their company at https://www.cihedging.com/. For more information, please contact Vice President of Membership Kelly Manning.
IN MARKET DEVELOPMENT Economics and the Advantage of Replacing E10 with E15 When it comes to what type of fuel to offer, there’s growing support for switching E10/87 with E15/87. In fact, there’s no better time than now to do so—and there are a number of reasons why. Growth Energy's Regional Director of Sales David Durling shared the economic benefits of selling E15 in CSP Magazine last week.
"There are various components involved when it comes to margins, but by utilizing years of research and data, Growth Energy can help retailers set their locations up for maximum success," said Durling. "On average, retailers gain an overall competitive advantage and increase their margins by adding E15 to their offerings. Large retail chains report that E15 generates up to 85% of their total fuel sales without negatively impacting demand for other fuel grades. E15 can boost retail margins and increase overall in-store traffic." For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Market Development Mike Lorenz. IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS Growth Energy Promotes Biofuels Ahead of CARB 2022 Scoping Plan Ahead of the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) 2022 Scoping plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, Growth Energy reminded CARB of its previous comments on a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and the importance of including biofuels in such a standard.
"We sincerely appreciate the California Air Resources Board's attention to the hard work to reshape California's transportation mix to make it more sustainable. This objective is a central driver for our industry, and we look forward to continuing our work with California on our common goals as you develop the next clean cars regulation. Specifically, liquid fuels will continue to play an important role in the transportation sector, even as alternative technologies flourish. As such, it is imperative to consider the vital role that environmentally sustainable fuel options such as bioethanol will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the current and future California fleet." For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
IN COMMUNICATIONS Live on Instagram: CEO Emily Skor and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) Yesterday, CEO Emily Skor joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) as a special guest on her monthly Instagram live feature. As participants rolled in, Senator Ernst asked Skor to expand on issues like the recent RVP court case, legislation like the RFS Integrity Act, which Senator Ernst is a co-sponsor of, and environmental benefits of ethanol and how Growth Energy is promoting them.
Senator Ernst also asked Skor to expand on the economic benefits of E15, and why it is so important that we fight to ensure year-round access to the higher blend. The two discussed that in Iowa, which is the nation's largest ethanol producing state, biofuels generate over $2.4 billion of income for households. Across the nation, moving to a standard E15 would add $17.8 billion to the GDP.
Thanks to all who tuned in! If you missed it live, you can watch here.
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