In 2023, Growth Energy will work with Congress and the Biden Administration to affirm the role America’s ethanol industry plays in providing American drivers with a lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel option that is readily available today. We also seek to expand our ability to decarbonize other sectors of the transportation system, like heavy duty trucking, aviation, and shipping. In addition, providing renewable chemicals and materials to consumers is a potential new marketplace. Our 2023 federal policy priorities include:

Lower prices at the pump and decarbonizing the transportation sector through a strong Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS):

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should finalize Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) in the RFS Set by June 14, 2023 with at least 15 billion gallons for conventional biofuels for the 2023 RVO and at least 15.25 billion gallons for the 2024 and 2025 RVO years, as proposed by EPA.
• EPA should finalize its proposal to restore 250 MG in the 2023 RVO to make up gallons that EPA improperly waived in the 2016 RVO.
• Call on EPA to update its greenhouse gas (GHG) lifecycle analysis (LCA) to reflect the best available science on the climate profile of biofuels like ethanol from corn starch such as that found in the latest version of Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model.
• Ensure that the advanced portion of the RFS Set is robust enough to meet current capacity and to spur additional innovation and development of advanced renewable fuels.
• Encourage EPA to approve pending registrations for cellulosic biofuel from kernel fiber.
• Encourage EPA to approve pending RFS pathways from corn oil from ethanol wet mills as well as pathways that include carbon sequestration.

Lower the carbon intensity of ethanol through innovative technologies and climate smart agriculture:

• Ensure the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) allows a wide range of technologies and industrial processes to qualify under the new 45Z tax incentive, the Clean Fuel Production Credit, when the provision takes effect January 1, 2025, including carbon capture and storage, renewable electricity, and sustainable farming.
• Ensure Treasury allows a taxpayer to annually elect whether to take 45Q or 45Z.
• Work with Treasury to include a wide range of technologies that are eligible for utilization under 45Q, the tax credit for carbon dioxide capture.
• Urge Treasury to identify Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model as an eligible lifecycle emissions model for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• Clarify with Treasury whether entities can qualify for both 45Q and 40B, the SAF credit.
• Provide new opportunities for ethanol to decarbonize heavy-duty and marine transportation, and be utilized as a renewable component for chemicals and renewable materials.

Expand access to lower-carbon, lower-cost higher blends of ethanol at the pump at home and abroad:

• Restore unrestricted access to E15 year-round nationwide.
• Work with U.S. Department of Agriculture to swiftly implement and distribute the $500 million for biofuels infrastructure included the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
• Clarify rules around the use of existing fuel storage and dispensing equipment for E15.
• Finalize EPA’s proposal to simplify onerous labeling requirements at fuel pumps and broaden use of existing underground storage tanks.
• Break down trade barriers to low-carbon ethanol in markets like Brazil, India, and China.
• Institute a nationwide octane standard.