WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a hearing today, Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuel trade association—urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to retroactively reduce renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for cellulosic biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

Earlier this month EPA proposed a partial waiver that would reduce the requisite amount of cellulosic biofuels that needed to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply, as stipulated by the RFS, for the 2024 compliance year. In testimony, however, Growth Energy General Counsel Joe Kakesh warned that following through on the waiver could set a dangerous precedent for future retroactive reductions, and would undermine the growing market for cellulosic biofuels, which are biofuels produced from leftover plant parts like stems, leaves and other fibrous material. 

“EPA’s proposal to partially waive 2024 cellulosic volume requirements is inconsistent with EPA’s recent RFS policies and with the RFS itself. While 2024 cellulosic volumes may not yet have achieved RVO targets, many biorefiners have nevertheless been making headway in cellulosic biofuel production, and we’ve seen more and more of their cellulosic registrations being approved by the agency,” said Kakesh.  

“In any case, any waiver of 2024 cellulosic volume requirements here should not provide precedent for the future of the RFS program or suppress RFS program goals, which are to drive production and innovation of biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels, and not to passively track a biofuels marketplace without them,” he added. 

To read the full testimony as prepared for delivery click here.  

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement about the exclusion of year-round E15 from the latest continuing resolution. The latest year-end funding package being considered by Congress no longer includes language that would provide for the year-round sale of E15, a fuel made with 15% homegrown bioethanol that costs less than regular fuel and approved for use in 96% of cars on the road today:

“Leaving E15 on the cutting room floor is like putting coal in the stocking of America’s drivers, farmers, and the rural communities that depend on American bioethanol. Congressional supporters of E15 and American biofuels should pressure their leadership to return the language allowing for the year-round sale of E15 to this legislation,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We cannot be any clearer—E15 saves consumers money, lowers emissions, and supports economic growth and job creation across the Heartland. This bill should add year-round E15 to the other important agriculture assistance already in this bill. We cannot afford to shortchange farmers at a time when they’re facing major financial stress and undermine President Trump’s stated goal of establishing American energy dominance. There still is time to do the right thing and reverse course—we urge Congress to act now to preserve the original bill’s E15 provision and finally make year-round E15 the law of the land.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—AAA projected last week that 107 million Americans will travel by car for the holidays this year. Based on this data, Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, estimates that U.S. consumers could collectively save up to $250 million in fuel costs this holiday season if they were to choose Unleaded 88 (also called E15)—a fuel blend made with 15% homegrown bioethanol. 

“The more American biofuel blended into gasoline, the more cost savings, and the better it is for the environment,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Unleaded 88 is approved for use in more than 96% of cars on the road today and, on average, can retail for 10-30 cents less per gallon than standard fuel. Consumers can save their money for other expenses and pay less at the pump by choosing Unleaded 88 whenever they fill up during the holidays this year.” 

Apart from the cost savings, Unleaded 88 is also a critical part of establishing American energy dominance because it reduces our dependence on foreign oil. It also promotes cleaner air, reducing smog-forming pollutants and lowering emissions of particulate matter by up to 50% compared to gasoline. 

Travelers can plan their road trip and locate gas stations selling Unleaded 88 and other higher ethanol blends using the Get Biofuel Fuel Finder. To date, Americans have driven more than 130 billion miles on Unleaded 88. 

About Unleaded 88/E15  

Unleaded 88 (also known as E15) is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. Unleaded 88/E15 can be found at over 3,700 gas stations in 33 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with Unleaded 88 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, Unleaded 88 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump. 

Learn more about Unleaded 88/E15 here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, urged lawmakers to support a year-end funding package that includes a legislative fix that would allow for the year-round sale of E15, a blend of gasoline and 15% American bioethanol that costs less than standard fuel, lowers emissions, and can be used in 96% of all cars on the road today.

In response to the fix’s inclusion in a Congressional year-end funding package, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement:

“E15 lowers emissions, saves drivers money, and increases American energy dominance. Giving consumers the chance to choose this fuel year-round would be an early Christmas present to American drivers, the nation’s rural communities that depend on a strong renewable fuels sector, and to the environment.”

“We are grateful for the tireless work of our numerous Congressional champions to get this bill included, and that Congressional leadership has endorsed this commonsense, bipartisan, bicameral energy solution, and encourage Senators and Representatives to vote in favor of this package so that year-round E15 becomes the law of the land.”

About E15

E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 3,700 gas stations in 31 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.

If the United States were to transition from an E10 standard to an E15 standard nationwide, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by 17.62 million tons per year (the equivalent of removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road every year). Nationwide adoption of an E15 standard would also save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, increase household income by $36.3 billion, and generate $66.3 billion for U.S. GDP.

Learn more about E15 here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, congratulated Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) (pictured above (left) with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor) on her new role as Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. 

“Congresswoman Craig is a champion for rural America and will make an outstanding leader on the House Agriculture Committee. She truly understands the value of biofuels and how critical they are to the continued success of American agriculture,” said Skor. “We congratulate her on this new role and look forward to continuing our work with her to lower emissions, reduce consumer costs, and support our farmers by expanding the use of American biofuels.”

Rep. Craig has been a champion for biofuels for her entire political career, and has won Growth Energy’s Fueling Growth award on numerous occasions, most recently this year.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today filed their opening brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Environmental Protection Agency v. Calumet Shreveport Refining, LLC, Case No. 23-1229. The case seeks to overturn an opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the proper venue for adjudicating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) denials of several petitions for small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

In their brief, Growth Energy and RFA argue that the Fifth Circuit had erred and that challenges to those SRE petition denials should be adjudicated solely in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit because EPA’s SRE policy is “nationally applicable” and “based on a determination of nationwide scope or effect.” In support, the organizations argue in their brief that EPA “prescribed general standards” for adjudicating SRE petitions irrespective of their location that, when applied, “inherently affect . . . obligations for all” obligated refineries and renewable fuels producers “throughout the country.”

“EPA’s actions in response to these SRE petitions reflect quintessentially national concerns that are well within EPA’s authority to protect,” said Growth Energy and RFA in a statement. “Oil industry interests should not be allowed to upend Congress’s carefully crafted judicial review process, which ensures national uniformity for the RFS program and avoids inconsistent legal precedents, forum shopping, and market uncertainty for biofuels.”

About the RFS 

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was first enacted in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act. It was then expanded in 2007 with the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act. It sets the number of gallons of renewable fuels that must be blended into the nation’s total fuel supply each year. The RFS remains one of America’s most successful clean energy policies, reducing carbon emissions, offering consumers more affordable options at the pump, and delivering greater energy security for more than 15 years.

Case Background  

In April and June 2022, EPA denied 105 SRE petitions from 36 refineries located in 18 states. In assessing the petitions, EPA applied a single, nationwide legal requirement: to be eligible for an SRE, petitioning refineries must demonstrate a direct causal relationship between RFS compliance and their claimed economic hardship. EPA then invited petitioning refineries to submit refinery-specific evidence to rebut EPA’s general factual finding that refineries have the ability to pass through their costs of compliance with the RFS and that RFS compliance does not cause refineries to incur any net costs, let alone economic hardship. Reviewing the evidence submitted by the refineries, EPA found that none met their burden. 

Refineries whose SRE petitions were denied challenged the denials in the Third, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuits. All regional circuit courts except the Fifth Circuit concluded that only the D.C. Circuit was the proper venue to hear the challenges, and they dismissed or transferred the challenges to the D.C. Circuit. By contrast, the Fifth Circuit held that venue in that court was proper, and in a divided 2-1 panel opinion, vacated EPA’s denials for the refineries that brought challenges in that court.

In May 2024, Growth Energy and RFA jointly petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the Fifth Circuit opinion. The U.S. EPA also petitioned the Supreme Court as well. On October 21, 2024, the Supreme Court granted EPA’s petition, and Growth and RFA submitted their opening brief as a respondent in support of EPA.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, responded today to a request for information (RFI) from the House Ways and Means Committee about the 45Z clean fuel production credit. 

In a letter to the Committee Members who issued the RFI—Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Carol Miller (R-W. Va.), and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.)—Growth Energy outlined why the organization and its members support 45Z and believe it to be critical to their continued success in a low-carbon economy.  

“Our industry is supportive of 45Z because it provides our members the ability to make costly capital investments to meet carbon constraints established by U.S. subnational policy and foreign trading partners,” said Growth Energy CEO in the letter. “While we do not actively promote and seek these low-carbon regimes, we have to work within these programs…energy products in general will be required to meet a lower carbon intensity (CI) over the next several decades, and most of these investments needed to reduce CI are difficult—if not impossible—to do without something like the 45Z tax incentive.”  

Growth Energy also detailed the best-case scenario for implementing 45Z and what happens to the credit once it has served its purpose.  

“Success for ethanol producers under 45Z is that we utilize this credit to deploy billions of dollars of capital to make robust energy investments in rural areas to increase American energy dominance and provide farmers with a growing market for more valuable commodities,” Skor added. “Once we have seen this deployment of capital and an increase in farm markets, we would see this credit come to an orderly, well-planned phaseout as we would not require this credit in perpetuity.” 

Read Growth Energy’s full response to the House Ways and Means Committee here. 

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On behalf of the undersigned organizations representing American manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders, we are writing to urge both the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance to return to the bargaining table with the goal of reaching a new labor contract before the new Jan. 15 contract expiration date. It is imperative for the parties to resume negotiations and remain at the table until a new contract is reached.

We know significant issues remain between the parties. However, we continue to believe the only way to resolve these issues and come to an agreement is to actually stay at the negotiating table. The continuing start and stop of the negotiations leads to further uncertainty in the supply chain, which continues to cause challenges. The three-day strike in October had a significant impact on supply chain stakeholders that rely on the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. The additional costs from mitigation efforts as well as post-strike resumption are still being felt. Companies have continued to implement mitigation strategies because of the ongoing threat of another strike in mid-January if a new contract is not achieved.

We understand that automation and technology continues to be the biggest issue of disagreement between the parties. We continue to believe there is a path forward for the parties to address this issue. It is critical that our ports and terminals have the ability to modernize their systems and processes in order to remain globally competitive and be able to handle the continuing rise of trade volumes, both imports and exports, through our ports. Modernization can only happen through true partnership between labor and management, as well as the other supply chain stakeholders that rely on these ports. Modernization efforts will benefit all parties and are essential to address current and future throughput issues.

We firmly believe the remaining issues can only be resolved by returning to the negotiating table and remaining until a final deal is complete.

Sincerely,

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Chairman Hall, Vice Chair Lear, Ranking Member Rogers, Jr., and members of the Committee,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding House Bill 358. Growth Energy is the world’s largest association of biofuel producers, representing 97 U.S. plants that each year produce more than 9.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel, 123 businesses associated with the production process, and tens of thousands of biofuel supporters around the country. Together, we are working to bring better and more affordable choices at the fuel pump to consumers, improve air quality, and protect the environment for future generations. We remain committed to helping our country diversify its energy portfolio, sustain family farms, and drive down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.

We write today in support of Ohio’s efforts to establish primacy in the approval and regulation of Class VI carbon dioxide sequestration wells for potential projects in the state. Carbon sequestration is a critical tool for the bioethanol industry, particularly as demand for low-carbon liquid fuels continues to rise. Ohio is positioned as one of only a relatively handful of states with optimal carbon sequestration geology.

Liquid fuels are expected to continue to dominate the nation’s transportation fuel matrix in the coming decades. Domestic markets, as well as an increasing number of international markets, are placing a premium on low-carbon liquid fuels. By establishing primacy, Ohio’s bioethanol industry, coupled with favorable geology for sequestration in several regions of the state, will provide additional economic benefits to the biofuels industry and the rural Ohio economies it supports via increased access to these low-carbon domestic and international markets.

With the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicting further decreases in farm incomes, these new markets and economic opportunities are particularly important for rural communities dependent on grain prices and biofuels production. As of November 11, 2024, 154 Class VI permits were currently under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many of these permit applications have experienced delay after delay, preventing bioethanol producers from moving forward on capital- and labor-intensive carbon sequestration projects.

By establishing primacy, Ohio can move forward with CCUS projects without delays from federal agencies. Growth Energy’s members, and the corn growers with whom we work, will benefit greatly from Ohio’s efforts on Class VI primacy. Ohio can join North Dakota, Wyoming, and Louisiana in taking advantage of this economic opportunity for a variety of industries.

We thank State Representative Robb-Blasdel for introducing this legislation and working with stakeholders to ensure the economic benefits of CCUS projects can benefit Ohioans across its energy industry. Given our industry’s experience and expertise in carbon reduction, we are happy to assist the Committee with technical questions as they consider this important legislation.

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Chair Shink,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on SB 1171. Growth Energy is the world’s largest association of biofuel producers, representing 97 U.S. plants—including two plants in Michigan—that produce more than 9 billion gallons of renewable fuel annually; 123 businesses associated with the production process; and tens of thousands of biofuel supporters nationwide. Together, we are working to bring consumers better and more affordable choices at the fuel pump, improve air quality, and protect the environment for future generations. We remain committed to helping diversify our country’s energy portfolio, grow more energy jobs, decarbonize our nation’s energy mix, sustain family farms, and drive down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.

Growth Energy supports SB 1171, which provides certain updates to the Motor Fuels Quality Act of 1984. As a partner with fuel retailers across the country, we work to ensure statutory and regulatory certainty in the fuel retail market so that consumers have access to fuels with higher blends of ethanol, which will help them save money at the pump while using a lower carbon fuel.

We appreciate the efforts in SB 1171 to streamline Michigan’s statute with federal regulations regarding dispenser labeling for retailers offering E15. E15 is a blend consisting of 15 percent bioethanol, has been approved for use by the EPA in all passenger vehicles model year 2001 and newer, more than 96 percent of the vehicles on the road today. It is now for sale at more than 3,400 locations in 32 states.

Provisions in SB 1171 ensure the federal label required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR 1090.1510 for retailers offering E15 is sufficient for the state and provides consumers the assurance they are filling their tank with a more affordable fuel option that is safe for their engines. The EPA label is the standard for E15 dispensers and consistent for fuel retailers across the country.

According to recent data from Environmental Health and Engineering, today’s bioethanol reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) by nearly 50 percent compared to gasoline and can provide even further GHG reductions with additional readily available technologies. A national analysis showed a reduction of 580,000 tons of GHGs annually in Michigan if E15 replaced E10 gasoline. This is the GHG reduction equivalent of removing more than 126,000 vehicles from Michigan’s roads without impacting a single driver just by using a higher ethanol-blend fuel. These emissions reductions also come with meaningful consumer cost-savings. During the summer of 2023, E15 was sold at 15 cents less per gallon where available on average nationwide.

We thank Chair Shink for introducing this bill, appreciate the collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and urge all members of the committee to support the bill.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, filed an amicus brief in a consolidated set of court challenges to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2027-2032, which is being litigated in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. 

In its brief, Growth Energy argues that the CAFE standards violate the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), in particular the EPCA’s prohibition on using electric vehicles (EVs) as a “baseline” to set fuel-economy standards. Growth also notes that the standards functionally serve as an EV mandate and unlawfully fail to take the benefits of biofuels into consideration. NHTSA’s “one-track focus on EVs leads to rules that are arbitrary, inconsistent with law,” including the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), “and miss important benefits of other technologies while also failing to minimize costs,” Growth writes in the brief.   

“NHTSA has continually failed to properly consider the important role that biofuels like bioethanol play in advancing the fuel economy goals of EPCA and the energy security, environmental, and rural economic development goals of the RFS,” said Growth Energy’s CEO Emily Skor. “The CAFE standards should recognize and embrace the benefits of biofuels, a uniquely-American resource that can help NHTSA accomplish its goals without pushing one vehicle technology over all others.” 

Read Growth Energy’s brief here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of America First Policy Institute (AFPI) Founder Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture:

“Growth Energy looks forward to engaging with Secretary Designate Rollins and demonstrating how our industry is vital to growing jobs and innovation across rural America and unleashing American energy dominance. The USDA Secretary is rural America’s voice in the White House, and we will work hard to ensure Rollins is well-positioned to deliver on President Trump’s rural agenda, expand markets for homegrown renewable fuel, and bring more low-cost options to the pump.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, November 20th, Growth Energy, along with Clean Fuels Alliance America, filed a new opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Case No. 20-1046) challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to fully account for small refinery exemptions (SREs) when issuing renewable volume obligations (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

In their brief, the parties seek to ensure that RVOs account for SREs the agency issued for past years. Current regulations require EPA only to project future SREs when establishing future RVOs, while ignoring biofuel demand destroyed by past SREs granted retroactively, totaling more than four billion gallons in recent years. 

“EPA’s RVO regulations fail to account for the billions of gallons of demand lost to the agency’s mismanagement of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Regulators took one step forward during the first Trump administration by recognizing the future impact of oil industry handouts, but since then EPA has never attempted to repair the damage from past handouts that continues to weigh down the biofuels industry and our farm partners. That has to change.” 

Background 

EPA published the original 2020 RVO on February 6, 2020. The RVO was challenged in the D.C. Circuit by several parties soon thereafter. Growth intervened in support of parts of the rule on behalf of EPA and, separately, petitioned the court to challenge EPA’s failure to account for past SREs. After the cases were consolidated (Case No. 20-1046), and after initial briefing in late 2020, the court granted motions to stay the consolidated cases pending the Supreme Court’s decision on SRE eligibility in HollyFrontier v. EPA. The case proceeded until December 2021, when EPA issued a new proposed rule for the 2020 RVO as well as 2021-2022 RVOs and sought remand without vacatur of the original 2020 RVO. The court deferred decision on remand and continued to stay the case. EPA’s final 2020-2022 RVOs also failed to account for past SREs. The court continued to stay the original 2020 RVO case until after the D.C. Circuit’s opinion on new cases challenging the new 2020-2022 RVOs. The D.C. Circuit upheld the new 2020-2022 RVOs on May 14, 2024 (Case No. 22-1210), after which time the court lifted the stay on the original 2020 RVO challenge and set a briefing schedule.   

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to serve as Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Council:

“Governor Doug Burgum is uniquely qualified to coordinate an all-of-government approach to U.S. energy dominance. Under his leadership, North Dakota has been a hotbed for innovation, with a thriving renewable fuel sector, growing alongside oil and gas while reducing emissions with carbon capture. We look forward to working with the next leader of the Interior Department and National Energy Council to deliver on President Trump’s goals for creating rural jobs and advancing U.S. energy dominance.”

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A CLEANER BURNING FUEL

Ethanol is the cleanest, most affordable high-octane fuel on the market. It provides a superior octane boost without the carcinogens associated with other fuel additives.

MORE OCTANE FOR MORE POWER

High-octane fuels like ethanol enhance engine performance by delivering more horsepower and speed. Most vehicles require a minimum octane rating of 87. Ethanol, with an octane rating of 113, helps meet that in modern cars. Ethanol isa cleaner, renewable, and cost-effective alternative to toxic chemicals like lead and MTBE. As a result, ethanol is now blended into 98 percent of motor fuels in the U.S., providing a safe and efficient boost to fuel performance.

MORE OCTANE FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY

Turbocharging forces more fuel and air into a smaller volume, increasing pressure but potentially causing low-octane fuels to ignite prematurely, reducing efficiency and damaging the engine. High-octane fuels, like ethanol, are essential for high-compression, turbocharged, or supercharged engines, ensuring proper ignition timing and delivering more power. Future U.S. fuel efficiency standards may require higher-compression engines, necessitating higher-octane fuels, which ethanol can provide at a lower cost.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement on the 2024 congressional election results:

“We’re excited to have so many new and familiar leaders in Congress ready to work on a bipartisan basis to deliver for rural America. Lawmakers from both parties campaigned and won on their support for jobs in the U.S. bioeconomy. We’re confident that our champions will continue to set the direction for Congress when it comes to lowering fuel costs with E15 and protecting and expanding rural America’s access to new markets and energy incentives.

“We congratulate incoming members of the 119th Congress, and we look forward to working with them to maintain robust, bipartisan momentum behind efforts to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard, extend clean energy incentives, break down trade barriers, and increase competition at the fuel pump.”

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Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the next Senate majority leader, pictured (right) with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor (left) and Growth Energy Chairman Tom Willis.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement upon the election of Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) as the next Senate majority leader:

“With Sen. Thune as majority leader, American biofuel producers and their farm partners will have one of their strongest champions setting the Senate’s legislative agenda. We commend the Senate for elevating him to this position, and we look forward to building on the Majority Leader-elect’s track record for supporting growth, investment, and innovation in the American renewable fuels industry.”

Background

Sen. Thune has been a steadfast champion for the biofuels industry. Most recently, he won one of Growth Energy’s 2024 Fueling Growth Awards, “in recognition for [his] valuable service supporting American biofuels.” In a social media post acknowledging the award, Thune said “homegrown biofuels support American energy security, a cleaner and more affordable option for consumers, and a critical market for our farmers.” Thune has also sponsored or co-sponsored important legislation to support the renewable fuels industry, including S. 2707, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow for the nationwide, year-round sale of E15, a blend of gasoline and 15% American-made bioethanol.

About E15 

E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 3,700 gas stations in 31 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.

Learn more about E15 here.

About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Our members operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions. For more information, visit us at GrowthEnergy.org, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @GrowthEnergy, or connect with us on Facebook.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement on the 2024 election results and a Trump-Vance victory: 

“Growth Energy extends its congratulations to President Donald J. Trump on his re-election as President of the United States and J.D. Vance on his election as Vice President of the United States. 

“President Trump has championed consumer access to American-made, lower-cost ethanol options at the pump and has expanded markets for U.S. ethanol. We look forward to working with the Trump-Vance administration to deliver on American energy dominance, consumer savings, and booming rural economies – starting with year-round access to E15. During his first term, President Trump delivered on E15 to bring lower cost fuel to American consumers, and we support him enacting a permanent solution that will deliver continued savings at the pump for all Americans, all months, across all 50 states. 

“We stand ready to partner with President Trump and his administration to unlock markets for American biofuels abroad, allow private investments in the rural economy to soar, and harness American-led innovations in aviation and clean energy production.”

About Growth Energy

Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Our members operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions. For more information, visit us at GrowthEnergy.org, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @GrowthEnergy, or connect with us on Facebook.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement today after California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a directive to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to expedite measures that could lead to lower gas prices without compromising environmental protections. This includes studying “how California could increase ethanol blending in gasoline (E15), which studies have shown could reduce prices while maintaining environmental protections.”

“We thank Gov. Newsom for voicing his support to approve E15, which can lower fuel costs for California families while helping to decarbonize the state’s light-duty vehicles,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We stand ready to assist the governor’s office and state to complete the approval process and permit the sale of this more affordable and environmentally-beneficial fuel option, which Americans have already relied on to travel 120 billion miles.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement today after Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), and Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) introduced a 45Z extension bill. The Expanding Clean Fuel Production Act would extend the Section 45Z clean fuel production credit for 10 years.

“Farmers and renewable fuel producers are making decisions today about how to invest their time and money in the years to come. With this bill they would be able to make those decisions with greater confidence, and make the kind of investments that increase efficiency, lower their carbon intensity, create jobs, and grow the rural economy,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We commend Reps. Schneider, Kildee, and Brownley for taking the lead on this issue in the House, and we look forward to working with them and all of our biofuel champions in this Congress and the next to extend the 45Z tax credit and maximize its benefits for farmers, producers, and the communities that depend on them.”

Passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit is intended to incentivize the production of low-carbon fuels in transportation on the ground and in the air. If implemented properly, Growth Energy’s own research demonstrates that the credit would add $21.2 billion to the U.S. economy, generate nearly $13.4 billion in household income, support more than 192,000 jobs across all sectors of the national economy, and provide farmers with a 10 percent premium price on low carbon corn used at a bioethanol plant.

Beyond a 45Z extension bill, Growth Energy has called on the U.S. Treasury Department to quickly issue guidance for the 45Z tax credit, preferably in a rulemaking, that accurately rewards the full spectrum of tools available to reduce bioethanol emissions at the plant and on the farm, including carbon capture and storage, process heat and energy, and climate-smart agriculture (CSA). 

Learn more about the importance of a 45Z extension bill and about 45Z here. 

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