Chairperson von Gillern,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony for LB 8. Growth Energy is the world’s largest association of biofuel producers, representing 97 U.S. plants that produce more than 9.5 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 strongly advocates for policies supporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development, which presents an historic opportunity to Nebraska’s farmers and bioethanol producers, including the eight Nebraska biorefineries that are members of Growth Energy, which collectively have a production capacity of 995 million gallons of bioethanol.

In 2021, the United States produced approximately 5 million gallons of SAF but incentives like Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Act can help the ethanol industry occupy up to half of the domestic aviation marketplace. Growth Energy members have committed over 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol capacity to SAF, more than 650 million gallons of SAF. To achieve these goals, getting the policies that will spur this investment right is essential.

Growth Energy supports LB 8, which modifies the $1.50 tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sold or used in Nebraska. The changes made by LB 8 allow Nebraska to become a leader in SAF production and sales. In particular, modifying the credit to remove the $500,000 annual limit the state can approve for the tax credit each fiscal year is important to the growth of Nebraska’s SAF production. Additionally, amending the implementation date for the tax credit ensures the state’s bioethanol producers can fully utilize the credit.

LB 8 represents an opportunity for Nebraska farmers and biofuel producers to benefit from this still nascent market poised to skyrocket in the coming decades. A study conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions concluded that to achieve 100% SAF usage by 2050, 63 new bioethanol plants of 200 million gallons production capacity each will need to be constructed nationwide. That same study suggested Nebraska may need as many as 6 alcohol-to-jet (the process in which bioethanol is converted to sustainable aviation fuel) SAF production facilities based on the state’s corn supply. Nebraska’s status as a leading state for corn and bioethanol production has the potential to be enhanced with the passage of LB 8.

Today, biofuels support more than half a million jobs across the rural bioeconomy. If bioethanol producers take full advantage of SAF opportunities, that number has the potential to double. LB 8 incentivizes the Cornhusker State to embrace SAF production and capitalize on the economic and employment benefits of the growing SAF industry.

We appreciate the opportunity to express our support for LB 8, thank Senator Dungan for introducing the legislation, and respectfully request the committee’s support for the bill. Additionally, we are available to assist the committee with any technical questions.

The post Growth Energy Testimony in Support of Nebraska SAF Tax Credit appeared first on Growth Energy.

Ms. Borchert,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments in response to the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) draft of the Clean Transportation Fuel Program (CTFP) rule. 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 our energy portfolio in order to grow more green energy jobs, decarbonize our nation’s energy mix, sustain family farms, and drive down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.

We applaud New Mexico’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions through the CTFP. Growth Energy has previously provided extensive comments on similar programs in California, Washington, and Oregon, ensuring those states recognize the carbon reduction value of
increased bioethanol use. In California, biofuels have been among the largest contributors to the success of the LCFS program to date and are poised to continue to do so with appropriate updates to the program. Additionally, as mentioned in the June 28, 2024 Advisory Committee meeting, bioethanol has been a significant credit generator in the Oregon and Washington programs. Like those states, we believe the CTFP has the opportunity to utilize biofuels as a means of immediate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in the current light-duty vehicle fleet as future technologies are further developed.

Environmental Benefits of Bioethanol
According to recent data from Environmental Health and Engineering, today’s bioethanol reduces GHG by nearly 50 percent compared to gasoline and can provide even further GHG reductions with additional readily available technologies. The potential for fuels with higher blends of ethanol to reduce GHGs are further illustrated in a national analysis showing more than 146,000 tons in GHG reduction in New Mexico alone if E10 gasoline was replaced with E15. This is the GHG reduction equivalent of removing 32,000 vehicles from New Mexico’s fleet just by using a higher ethanol-blend fuel.

Bioethanol’s other environmental benefits are also noteworthy. As has been researched by the University of California, Riverside and the University of Illinois at Chicago, the use of more bioethanol and bioethanol-blended fuel reduces harmful particulates and air toxics such as carbon monoxide, and benzene.

Use of GREET for Life Cycle Analysis Modeling
We applaud NMED for the use of the Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model, with parameters specific to New Mexico, to calculate life-cycle emissions of fuels subject to the CTFS. ANL GREET is the most accurate tool to examine the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of all fuels and considers a wide range of carbon reduction processes and technologies that bioethanol production can utilize. It is the gold standard for measuring the emissions-reducing power of farm-based feedstocks and biofuels and incorporates up-to-date science that more accurately scores lifecycle carbon intensity (CI) for corn bioethanol and other renewable fuels.

Appropriate Land Use Change Penalties
As has been reiterated throughout the Advisory Committee’s public meeting process and in our previous comments, biofuels have been a major driver of GHG reductions in existing fuel standard programs. They have been able to be so despite onerous, and we believe unnecessary, land use change (LUC) penalties for cornstarch bioethanol of varying values, including 19.8 gCO2e/MJ in California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. This penalty was designed to mitigate purported land use change with respect to cornstarch bioethanol’s production. We believe these scores to be outdated and not based on the most up to date research. A review of more recent science indicates a decreasing trend in land use values with the newer data indicating values closer to 4 gCO2e/MJ.

Concerns over land use change for cornstarch bioethanol are unfounded. The United States is planting grain corn on roughly the same number of acres as it was in 1900. At the same time, the per acre yield has increased more than 600%. We urge NMED to reconsider the application of a 19.8 gCO2e/MJ LUC penalty for cornstarch bioethanol, consider data based on more recent research and apply a LUC penalty that is reflective of that data.

Expanding E15 and Higher Blends
Emissions reductions through the use of E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88, also come with meaningful consumer cost-savings. During the summer of 2024, 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.

Consumers have embraced E15’s reputation as a more environmentally beneficial, more affordable fuel. Since the US EPA approved E15 in 2011, at which time there were zero retailers offering it, its availability rapidly expanded to what is now more than 3,714 retail sites in 33 states. Since then, drivers in America have relied on E15 to drive 140 billion miles.

Clarifying Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Bioethanol producers constantly make improvements to their production process, increasing economic efficiency and more importantly, reducing CI. Among the newest tools bioethanol producers are utilizing to reduce CI is carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS). The latest research conducted by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) Foundation shows that just the use of CCUS in bioethanol production can reduce its CI by as much as 57%, demonstrating the critical role CCUS plays in bioethanol’s path toward becoming a net-zero fuel. We applaud NMED for recognizing CCUS as a means for carbon reduction, and appreciate the inclusion of CCUS in certain Tier 2 pathways (Tier 1 fuels using innovative methods or a process that cannot be accurately represented using the simplified calculators used to calculate Tier 1 carbon intensities) novel to New Mexico.

However, given the wording of the draft rules, it could be interpreted in such a way that precludes fuels listed as Tier 2 fuels, such as alternative jet fuel, from utilizing CCUS. As alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) becomes more prevalent, SAF producers will rely on bioethanol, a Tier 1 fuel, with CCUS to reduce CI. This leaves the question of whether SAF produced with a bioethanol pathway utilizing CCUS will be approved as a Tier 2 pathway.

We encourage NMED to clarify this provision, an whether innovative methods such as CCUS can be used in other Tier 2 fuels such as alternative jet fuel. CCUS is an important tool for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers to achieve the carbon intensity reduction necessary to meet our nation’s GHG reduction goals in the aviation sector.

Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices
With the use of the GREET model, we encourage NMED to consider allowing on-farm carbon reduction practices, commonly called climate-smart agriculture (CSA), should also be credited in the CTFS. With GREET’s Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator and the USDA’s database of CSA practices, the carbon reduction values can easily be quantified and verified.

Among these practices are the use of cover crops, low or no-till farming, precision fertilizer application, and the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizer. The previously mentioned EFI Foundation study found that those four CSA practices could result in as much as 59% CI reduction for bioethanol. NMED should ensure the inclusion of CSA practices as allowable CI reduction tools for crop-based biofuels.

Allowing Biofuels Producers to Access Crediting for Low-CI Power
Additionally, we continue to advocate for expanded crediting for low-CI power sourcing for biofuels producers through renewable energy certificates (RECs). In the draft CTFP rules, the ability to utilize RECs in a pathway is limited to certain feedstocks. We believe the ability to credit low-CI power sourcing through power purchase agreements should be available to all feedstocks and pathways.

The aforementioned EFI study indicated the use of carbon-free electricity in the bioethanol production process can reduce its CI by 6% while the use of biomass for combined heat and power (CHP) can reduce its CI by as much as 37%. The EFI study suggests biomass CHP can be implemented with minimal costs and it is ready for widespread adoption in the near term.

With bioethanol production occurring entirely outside of New Mexico, the state has an opportunity to become a national leader by encouraging, via the CTFS, the adoption of low-CI power for bioethanol producers in other jurisdictions. We encourage NMED to consider the ability of all fuel pathways to credit low-CI power sourcing in their CI score.

Other Carbon Reduction Processes and Technologies
Below are additional examples of the wide variety of feedstocks and technologies bioethanol producers have available for CI reduction. We continue to encourage NMED to provide crop-based biofuels the widest set of feasible and ready to adopt opportunities for carbon reduction.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
As producers of one of the most scalable feedstocks for SAF production, we appreciate NMED’s attention to development of this key market and the CTFP’s allowance of SAF to generate credits. We encourage NMED to work with SAF producers, biofuel feedstock producers, and airlines to seek ways to accelerate use of these important fuels to help decarbonize the aviation sector.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the draft CTFP proposal. The CTFS will be a critical tool in New Mexico’s decarbonization efforts, and we look forward to working with NMED to ensure the role of biofuels in making New Mexico’s fuel mix more sustainable and help the state achieve its progressive climate goals through the expanded use of bioethanol. Additionally, we are happy to make ourselves available for any questions NMED may have.

The post Growth Energy Comments on New Mexico Clean Transportation Fuel Program appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, submitted a comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today in response to EPA’s proposal to partially waive the 2024 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  

The current proposal would delay the compliance deadline and grant a partial waiver to refiners for the 2024 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for cellulosic biofuels, which are biofuels produced from leftover plant parts like stems, leaves and other fibrous material. EPA previously rejected attempts by oil companies to retroactively waive 2023 cellulosic volumes, and in its comment Growth Energy urged EPA to follow that precedent, noting that granting such a waiver would run counter to the market-driving goals of the RFS. 

“Any waiver of 2024 cellulosic volume requirements 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,” said Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley in the comment. “Furthermore, delaying the compliance deadline injects unnecessary uncertainty into the process for bioethanol producers and the entire fuel supply chain.” 

Read the full comment here. Growth Energy General Counsel Joe Kakesh also testified to EPA in December 2024, urging the agency not to undermine the RFS by granting a cellulosic waiver. Read his testimony here. 

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Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on EPA’s proposal to partially waive the 2024 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Growth Energy is the nation’s largest association of biofuel producers, representing 97 U.S. bioethanol plants that each year produce more than 9.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel, and 123 businesses throughout the value chain.

The RFS continues to be one of our nation’s most successful domestic climate and energy policies. As we have seen in recent years, biofuels remain the single best tool available to shield motorists from volatile global oil prices and rapidly decarbonize the transportation sector. EPA has often implemented RFS regulations to advance these goals. In 2023, for example, EPA finalized the RFS Set rule for 2023, 2024, and 2025 with implied conventional biofuel volumes at 15 billion gallons, advanced volumes that, at the time, reflected growth and innovation in the industry, and with ambitious targets for cellulosic biofuel volumes. EPA has also taken actions to end the abuse of small refinery exemptions and restore integrity to the program. Most relevant here, EPA also appropriately denied a request from oil companies to retroactively waive 2023 cellulosic volume requirements.

EPA’s proposal to partially waive 2024 cellulosic volume requirements is inconsistent with EPA’s denial of the request to partially waive 2023 cellulosic volumes, its recent RFS policies, and with the RFS itself. While 2024 cellulosic volumes may not have achieved RVO targets, many biorefiners have nevertheless been making headway in cellulosic biofuel production, and more cellulosic registrations are being approved by the agency.

In addition, the cellulosic waiver provision is expressly written to allow reduction only in advance of setting the standards, not afterwards, and thus it is not available to EPA under this proposed rule. The RFS statute states that the cellulosic waiver must be applied by “not later than November 30 of the preceding calendar year,” not, as proposed here, in the following year (emphasis added).

Regardless of any claimed authority EPA exercises to partially reduce the 2024 cellulosic volume requirements, EPA must take the amounts and availability of all cellulosic carry forward and carryover RINs into consideration when calculating any reductions, and it should not reduce the requirements below those amounts. In addition, if determining whether to reduce cellulosic volumes pursuant to its general waiver authority, EPA should continue to require a “high degree of confidence” that RFS compliance causes severe harm to the economy as a whole, and not merely to a specific sector. And in accordance with its established policy, EPA should not “credit RIN costs as economic harm to obligated parties” when determining whether to issue a waiver of the 2024 cellulosic volume requirements.

Any waiver of 2024 cellulosic volume requirements 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. Furthermore, delaying the compliance deadline injects unnecessary uncertainty into the process for bioethanol producers and the entire fuel supply chain.
EPA faces other pressing matters related to the RFS program. EPA is already late on its next iteration of volumes under the RFS “Set” rule, in particular 2026 volumes, which EPA was required to have already set by November 1 of last year. Additionally, several other outstanding RFS issues await resolution, including updating lifecycle emissions modeling, clearing the backlog of approvals for renewable fuel pathways, including those for advanced biofuels produced from corn oil at bioethanol wet mills, bioethanol produced using carbon capture technologies, as well as pending registrations for cellulosic biofuels from kernel fiber.

Finally, while not directly related to the RFS and this proposal, EPA must continue its work to broaden the sale of E15, including finalizing its proposal on the use of existing retail infrastructure and simplification of E15 labeling.6
Rather than retroactively reducing cellulosic volumes, EPA should instead propose rulemakings that will tap the full potential of the RFS. America’s biofuel producers and our farm partners are ready to lead the charge on climate and energy solutions, and a firm commitment to growth will offer regulatory certainty and predictability in the years ahead. Thank you for your consideration.

The post Growth Energy Comment on EPA Proposal to Waive 2024 Cellulosic Biofuel Requirements appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement today in response to President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, which, in Section 2(b), orders the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to “consider issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline to meet any projected temporary shortfalls in the supply of gasoline across the Nation.”

“President Trump is already taking steps to make E15 available year-round,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Put simply, E15 saves consumers money, drives investment in America’s rural communities, and decreases our dependence on foreign energy resources. We’re glad to see that homegrown biofuels are a part of President Trump’s efforts to unleash American energy dominance, and we urge Congress to follow the President’s lead by swiftly approving legislation to permanently allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration to make this more-affordable fuel option available to all Americans.”

The full Executive Order can be found here. To learn more, check out Growth Energy’s policy roadmap to revitalize rural America, which includes a call for Congress to restore permanent, unrestricted access to E15 for all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement on the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and the inauguration of Vice President J.D. Vance:

“Growth Energy congratulates President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance as they formally take their oaths of office. 

“President Trump has been a vocal supporter of American agriculture and U.S. ethanol. He campaigned and won on his promise to fight for farmers, expand ethanol production, and export American biofuels around the globe. He has been a long-time advocate for lifting the needless regulations standing between U.S. consumers and lower-cost E15. And he recognizes that American farmers and rural communities are essential to unleashing American energy dominance. 

“With this administration in our corner, America’s ethanol industry stands ready to drive a new wave of energy and job creation across the heartland. We look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to deliver on his rural agenda.” 

The post Growth Energy Statement on Trump Inauguration appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today for publishing its Interim Rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks (the CSA rule). In response, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement:

“This new CSA rule hits all the right notes and will help set American ethanol up to deliver a more affordable, low carbon, homegrown energy solution to American drivers. Today’s announcement also sets the stage for new economic opportunities in rural America, as it means farmers could get credit for their work to grow more crops using fewer resources. We commend USDA and specifically Secretary Vilsack for building this rule and the agency’s new feedstock carbon intensity calculator in a way that will maximize economic benefits to farmers, putting them in a position to help America’s ethanol industry unleash American energy dominance.  

“We urge the incoming administration to use this new proposal to provide farmers with a new pathway to drive farm income. A strong rural economy depends on a strong American ethanol industry, and vice versa. This rule offers a path forward for all of these stakeholders, and we look forward to working with the Trump administration to make regenerative agriculture a part of their successful efforts to revitalize rural America.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, released a roadmap to revitalize rural America today, identifying specific policy goals and actions the 119^th Congress and the incoming Trump administration should take to unleash American energy dominance through the expanded use of homegrown American ethanol, which holds down gas prices, strengthens our domestic energy production, brings jobs and prosperity to rural America, and delivers cleaner air.

“President-elect Trump has made it clear that revitalizing rural America will be a priority for his administration, and biofuels are key to accomplishing that goal,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “From securing year-round E15 for all Americans and spurring new investments in aviation fuel to driving innovation and unleashing American energy dominance in the global market, these policy recommendations align with President-elect Trump’s agenda, and we look forward to working with his administration and with our champions in Congress to bring jobs and prosperity to rural America.”

The four-part roadmap is below.

Rebuild the Farm Economy

Only biofuels can unlock the investments and jobs needed to revitalize rural America. We cannot allow regulatory uncertainty to hold back billions of dollars of investment into rural communities.

• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Set timely, ambitious biofuel requirements under the RFS to spur continued growth and investment in rural communities.
• Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs): Continue to limit SREs and ensure SREs are reallocated to prevent biofuel demand destruction.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)/Permitting: Meet permitting timelines for carbon sequestration projects and support innovative transportation and storage technology.
• New Markets: Promote investment in a fast-growing ecosystem of bioproducts, from Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to green chemicals to bio-based solutions for marine and freight transport.

Lower Fuel Costs

E15 reduces fuel prices — but only when federal regulations don’t block consumer access. It’s time to lift the needless regulations standing between U.S. consumers and lower-cost E15, so all Americans can make their own fuel and vehicle choices.

• E15: Restore permanent, unrestricted access to E15 for all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.
• Retail Expansion: Promote programs designed to fast track the investments needed to offer better options at the pump.
• Marketing Barriers: Streamline regulations that impose onerous labeling and underground tank requirements on existing infrastructure.
• Vehicle/Fuel Standards: Ensure engine performance and fuel standards harness the full power of American bioethanol to reduce tailpipe and carbon emissions.

Drive American Innovation

Pro-growth tax policy can unlock billions of dollars in new investments in U.S. energy innovation. With proper implementation, new tax credits could be the starting pistol to revitalize rural American, support rural communities waiting to access new economic opportunities, and deliver on the promise of climate-smart agriculture.

• Low-Carbon Solutions: The U.S. Treasury Department must provide clear and timely tax guidance that accurately rewards all available decarbonizing strategies at on the farm and at the biorefinery.
• Modeling: Ensure fuel standards and tax policy are guided by Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model, which is the gold standard for measuring the emissions-reducing power of farm-based feedstocks and biofuels.
• SAF/Flexibility: Ensure regulations give farmers the flexibility they need to adopt low-carbon strategies that work best for their farm.
• Clean Fuels Tax Extension: Extend a pro-growth 45Z so biofuel producers and our farm partners have the long-term certainty needed to accelerate innovation in America’s bioeconomy.

Win Global Markets

America is the world’s largest producer and exporter of biofuels. With fair access to foreign markets, American producers will dominate the global bioeconomy.

• Fair Trade: U.S. trade diplomats must combat unfair trade barriers and tariffs imposed by competitors in Brazil, China, India, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
• Expanding Markets: Open new export opportunities for low-carbon biofuels by supporting higher blends in Canada, Japan, India, Mexico, and across the globe.
• Domestic Feedstocks: Advance fuel policies that do not advantage foreign feedstocks over low-carbon commodities harvested on American farms.

The roadmap to revitalize rural America is available online at growthenergy.org/roadmap. Learn more about Growth Energy’s policy priorities here.

The post Growth Energy Releases Federal Policy Roadmap to Revitalize Rural America and Unleash American Energy Dominance appeared first on Growth Energy.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded California Governor Gavin Newsom for including E15—a higher biofuel blend made with 15% American-made bioethanol—in his recently-released budget proposal.

“E15 would help California accomplish its twin goals of lowering fuel costs while decarbonizing its light-duty vehicle fleet,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We thank Gov. Newsom for his leadership and for including E15 in his budget proposal. We look forward to working with the state to complete the approval process and finally give Californians access to this more affordable engine-smart, earth-kind fuel option, which Americans in other states have already relied on to travel more than 140 billion miles.”

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 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 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—issued the following statement after the U.S. Treasury released its long-awaited 45Z guidance (the Clean Fuel Production Credit).

“This long-overdue guidance is far from complete—it still lacks the critical details that are needed to help ensure that American biofuel producers and their farm partners can lead the world in clean fuel production,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “While we appreciate the work of Secretary Vilsack to champion our issues on behalf of rural America, today’s announcement falls short of providing the information that our industry and its farm partners need, including a model for an expanded number of eligible decarbonization technologies and guidance on climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices.

“We look forward to working with the next Administration to fill in the gaps left by today’s announcement and to ensure this economic opportunity for the struggling farm economy is not left on the table. Demand for low carbon energy will continue to grow with or without us, and we need strong policy support in order to unleash the kind of investments that will position the U.S. for leadership in this market. Today’s guidance does not satisfy that need.”

Learn more about the importance of 45Z guidance and other tax incentives here.

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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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