![]() No. 117, March 5, 2020 ![]() TOP STORY USDA announces $100 Million in funding for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
Last Friday at Commodity Classic, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the department is providing $100 million in competitive grants for infrastructure projects to facilitate increased sales of higher biofuel blends through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor celebrated the announcement, underscoring the importance of infrastructure for the success of higher blends of ethanol: For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.
WORKING FOR YOU IN REGULATIONS IN POLICY AROUND THE GLOBE IN OUR ASSOCIATION IN COMMUNICATIONS ON THE TRACK UPCOMING EVENTS
Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference
March 25-27, Washington, D.C. NACS State of the Industry Summit
April 7-9, Chicago, IL American Ethanol Richmond Paintout
April 19, Richmond, VA
IN REGULATIONS USDA broadens commitment to run fleet on higher ethanol blends
Last week, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue released a memo announcing that the agency would broaden the directive for the USDA transportation fleet of 37,000 vehicles to run on higher ethanol blended fuel such as E15, a fuel blended with fifteen percent ethanol, and E85, a fuel blended with 51 to 83 percent ethanol.
“Although those flex-fuel and diesel fuel categories comprise more than half of the department’s fleet, biofuel consumption comprises less than 4 percent of USDA’s annual fuel use,” Perdue wrote. “The costs and efficiencies of biofuels are compatible with conventional fuels, there are now additional costs needed to acquire these vehicles, and biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
STATE UPDATES
Growth Energy provides testimony on Washington CFS ![]()
![]() Minnesota considers increasing minimum blend rate to 15 percent The Minnesota Legislature is considering legislation, HF3699 and SF3605, that would increase the minimum biofuel content for retail sale of fuel from 10 to 15 percent ethanol, marketed as Unleaded 88. Minnesota's Senate held a hearing on the bill last week and its House of Representatives held a hearing on the bill on Tuesday. Growth Energy Vice President of Market Development Mike O'Brien testified at that hearing to counter incorrect testimony by the Petroleum Marketers Association and American Petroleum Institute. O'Brien also provided testimony on the retail equipment compatibility and consumer acceptance for higher blends of ethanol fuels. For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley. IN POLICY Growth Energy welcomes focus on biofuels at environment and climate hearing
Growth Energy thanked Representative Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) for pressing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wheeler on efforts to restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Wheeler testified last week before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change on the agency's 2020 priorities, where he assured rural champions that, “President Trump is fully committed to the RFS program.”
Combatting anti-RFS amendments in Congress
This week, two anti-Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) amendments were filed to a bipartisan Senate energy bill currently under consideration. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) filed an amendment that would impose a 10 cent RIN cap on the D6 RIN pool. Separately, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) filed an amendment to rescind the recent 10th circuit court decision. For more details, contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher. AROUND THE GLOBE Mogler represents Growth Energy, U.S. biofuel in Canada ![]() Last week, Green Plains Inc. Vice President of Government Affairs Devin Mogler traveled to Ottawa, Canada to advocate on behalf of Growth Energy for biofuels' role in Canada's pending Clean Fuel Standard. Mogler joined representatives of the U.S. Grains Council on this visit, and met with Canadian regulators from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Mogler and the delegation consulted Canadian regulators on how the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has driven innovation and expanded America's ethanol production capacity to make the U.S. the world leader in production and blending of ethanol. For more details, contact Senior Vice President of Global Markets Craig Willis. IN OUR ASSOCIATION Growth Energy staff attends Commodity Classic
![]() Growth Energy Vice President of Development Kelly Manning and Director of Communications Leigh Claffey traveled to San Antonio, TX last week for the 24th's Commodity Classic. While at the conference, they attended National Corn Grower Association's Corn Congress and Corn PAC; visited with state corn groups such as Kansas Corn, Texas Corn, and South Dakota Corn; and caught up with a number of Growth Energy members including our friends at Big River Resources (pictured above) and The Andersons, Inc.
Commodity Classic is a great opportunity to hear more about the advancements being made in the industry on sustainability practices and technology, as well as share the work Growth Energy is doing to promote the biofuel and ag industry in the U.S. and around the globe. For more details, contact Vice President of Development Kelly Manning. IN COMMUNICATIONS This Friday: Skor to be featured in Fox Sports "Women in Wheels" ![]() Don't miss this weekend's showing of "Women in Wheels" on Fox Sports, where CEO Emily Skor will be featured in celebration of National Women's Month! For more details, contact Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Elizabeth Funderburk. ON THE TRACK American Ethanol releases 2020 paintout schedule ![]() The 2020 American Ethanol paintout schedule has officially been released! Whether you're a fan of NASCAR or just want to support biofuels on the track, keep an eye out at the following races for the No. 3 American Ethanol E15 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE driven by RCR's Austin Dillon.
For more details, contact Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Welsh.
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