WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement as the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of former U.S. Rep. Lee M. Zeldin as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vote followed a robust dialogue with Senate biofuel champions and an encouraging confirmation hearing, during which Congressman Zeldin committed to implementing President Trump’s pro-biofuel agenda.

“Administrator Zeldin has made it clear that he understands how important American-made biofuels are to President Trump’s efforts to unleash American energy dominance,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “He’s also committed to advancing year-round E15 and ensuring that America’s farmers and biofuel producers have the regulatory certainty under the Renewable Fuel Standard to plan and invest in rural growth. We thank Administrator Zeldin for agreeing to work alongside Senator Pete Ricketts and other rural champions on Capitol Hill to deliver a much-needed boost to the farm economy and greater fuel savings for hardworking Americans with homegrown ethanol.”

The post Growth Energy Welcomes New EPA Chief appeared first on Growth Energy.

Chairman Smith,

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 cleaner-burning, renewable fuel, including five of Kanas’ twelve biorefineries. We also represent 123 businesses—including six associate members in Kansas—associated with the production process; and tens of thousands of biofuel supporters around the country. Together, we remain committed to bringing better and more affordable choices at the fuel pump to consumers, helping our country diversify our energy portfolio in order to grow more energy jobs, sustaining family farms, and driving down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.

Today, 98 percent of all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10 percent bioethanol. E15, a fuel containing up to 15 percent bioethanol, is now available at more than 3,700 retail locations in 33 states, and higher bioethanol blends such as E85 are available at nearly 6,000 sites around the country. In Kansas, there are 72 retail locations selling E15 and 90 locations selling E85.

E15 is approved for all 2001 and newer vehicles, more than 96 percent of all light duty vehicles on the road today. Most vehicles require a minimum octane rating of 87. Bioethanol, with an octane rating of 113, helps meet that in modern cars. Bioethanol is a cleaner, renewable, and cost-effective alternative to toxic chemicals like lead and MTBE. Consumers have now driven more than 140 billion miles on E15, and retailers have conducted millions of transactions with this fuel. There have been no adverse reports of fuel quality experienced with E15 since first being approved 13 years ago.

Growth Energy appreciates this opportunity to support House Bill 2012, which would provide an important tax credit for bioethanol fuel blends from 15 to 85 percent. Specifically, this legislation would provide a non-refundable 5 cent per gallon tax credit to fuel retailers for every gallon of higher bioethanol fuel blends sold. This credit is important as retailers in Kansas continue to build out the market and invest in additional infrastructure to offer these higher bioethanol blends.

Bioethanol blends such as E15 and E85 also give consumers more affordable choices at the pump. During the summer of 2023, Kansans saved an average of 11 cents per gallon on E15 compared to E10. Providing a 5 cent per gallon tax credit to incentivize a higher bioethanol blend helps hardworking Kansans save on fuel costs without any impact to the state’s fuel tax revenue.

This credit will also help Kansas bioethanol producers, corn growers and sorghum producers, and livestock farmers. At a time when American farmers are facing a 25% decrease in farm incomes, Kansas corn growers and sorghum producers can benefit from the increased demand for their crop. The tax credit could result in the purchasing of as much as 1.7 million additional bushels of Kansas corn annually to produce an additional 5 million gallons of bioethanol. This increased production in bioethanol also results in the availability of an additional 29 million pounds of nutrient-rich animal feed, an important co-product in the bioethanol production process, for Kansas livestock farmers.

When considering the consumer savings, the benefits to the agriculture and bioethanol industries, and noting no impact on Kansas’ fuel tax revenue, the proposed retail tax credit doesn’t affect the state’s bottom line. Several Midwestern states have successfully implemented similar tax incentives for higher bioethanol blends. As more states consider incentives, Kansas should ensure its product made from Kansas-grown corn and sorghum benefits Kansas drivers.

Given our experience with retailers around the country offering bioethanol blends, we are happy to assist the committee with technical questions as they consider this important legislation. We look forward to working with you to finalize this important benefit for Kansas drivers, fuel retailers and farmers. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

The post Growth Energy Testimony in Support of Kansas E15 Legislation appeared first on Growth Energy.

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.

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.—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.  

The post Growth Energy Warns EPA against Lowering Cellulosic Volumes appeared first on Growth Energy.

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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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,

The post Growth Energy Joins Trade Letter Urging Port Labor Negotiations appeared first on Growth Energy.

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.

The post Growth Energy Submits Testimony on Ohio Class VI Primacy appeared first on Growth Energy.

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.

The post Growth Energy Provides Testimony on Dispenser Labeling in Michigan appeared first on Growth Energy.

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.  – 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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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.”

The post Growth Energy Statement on California Governor Newsom’s Directive on E15 appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuel trade association, continued to urge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today to follow the best available science when crafting its long-awaited guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Specifically, Growth Energy called on the U.S. Treasury Department to quickly issue guidance, 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).

Growth Energy called on the IRS to provide flexibility for biofuel producers to integrate climate-smart technologies.

“For the 45Z credit to function properly, the IRS should reward renewable fuel producers that maximize their GHG reductions through the full scope of lower-carbon production processes,” wrote Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Fortunately the GREET model includes a broad range of at-the-plant technologies that should be incorporated into any 45Z model used in the SAF context and the emissions rate table used for 45Z on-road eligibility. At a minimum, any model or emissions rate table designed to estimate carbon intensity using best available practices must include adjustments for biomass power or heat, corn stover to process heat, combined heat and power, wet distiller’s grains, membrane dehydration, vapor recompression, advanced yeasts and enzymes, energy storage, and zero-CI electricity from solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass facilities.”

With regard to climate-smart farming practices, “there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to CSA,” wrote Skor. “Farmers should be encouraged to adopt as many CSA practices as possible, with the flexibility to choose the CSA practices that work best for the specific circumstances at their farms. Farmers across the country face distinct challenges and advantages based on the location of their farm, types of crops grown, soil health, weather patterns, local equipment costs, and individual risk tolerance, among many other factors.”

Finally, Growth Energy reminded Treasury officials that time is of the essence and called on IRS to work quickly before October ends to take the critical first step of proposing a rulemaking with guidance for 45Z.

“At a minimum, the IRS should issue a proposed rule no later than November 1, 2024, including any proposed new models or model upgrades,” wrote Skor.

Read the letter here.

The post Growth Energy: 45Z Tax Credit Guidance Must Be Scientific, Flexible, and Timely appeared first on Growth Energy.

Emergence of Ethanol as a Key Enabler of the Transition to Low-Carbon Fuels

The U.S. clean energy transition requires a transition to both carbon-free electricity and clean fuels. Ethanol has been the leader in the move to low-carbon fuels, as long-standing attempts to develop other advanced low-carbon liquid fuels (cellulosic biofuels, algae derived fuels, e-fuels, etc.) have not succeeded in achieving scalable production at an acceptable cost.

Since 2005, the overall carbon intensity (CI) a of ethanol has decreased by 23%. Ethanol’s CI today is 53.6 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of ethanol produced (gCO2e/MJ), 42% lower than unblended gasoline. This has enabled blends of ethanol and gasoline to reduce on-road vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 544 million tons of CO2.

This reality leads the EFI Foundation (EFIF) to present in this report a strategic roadmap to further decarbonize the U.S. ethanol industry through a portfolio of actions that can help it reach a goal of net-zero carbon intensity by midcentury, and several additional options that can achieve net-negative carbon intensity. The strategic roadmap will enable ethanol to play a central role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, which accounted for 29% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2021.

Continued decarbonization of ethanol, combined with higher blend levels, can complement the shift to electrification of light-duty vehicles—both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)—in achieving further reductions in 2030 and beyond. Conversion of ethanol into aviation fuel will allow blends of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a significant scale. Further decarbonization of the U.S. ethanol industry also will strengthen its contribution to the U.S. economy, particularly to the rural economy.

In 2023, the United States produced 15.6 billion gallons of ethanol, making it the world’s leading producer and exporter of ethanol, responsible for producing over half of the global supply. The ethanol industry accounted for 28% of farm GDP, contributing $57 billion to total U.S. GDP in 2022. The ethanol industry supports more than 420,000 jobs.

Corn production for ethanol is a high value-added proposition—ethanol producers use about 30% to 40% of the U.S. corn crop, spending $38 billion, but require only about 1.5% of total U.S. farmland (an estimated 13.9 million acres). Since 2001, the U.S. food crops industry overall has maintained relatively consistent land use for planting while yields have continued to increase, indicating that corn is not in direct competition for acreage with other food crops. This report does not assume any increase in corn planting for ethanol production.

The post A Strategic Roadmap for Decarbonizing the U.S. Ethanol Industry appeared first on Growth Energy.

Last week, biofuels advocates and champions from across the country convened in Washington, D.C., for the 15th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS).

Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO, and Tom Willis, Growth Energy Chairman and President and CEO of Conestoga Energy Holdings, opened the summit by highlighting the critical role of biofuels and setting the tone for the week ahead.

“GEBS really is a remarkable gathering,” said Willis, “Leaders and champions for homegrown biofuels from all across the country, descending on our nation’s capital to make our presence felt, our voices heard, and our needs and priorities crystal clear.”

In her opening remarks, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor emphasized, “What’s good for biofuels, producers, and the entire bioeconomy is good for working families on a budget; good for energy security and independence; good for environmental stewardship and decarbonization; and good for economic development in communities that need it most.”

GEBS—the premier advocacy event for biofuels—featured prominent keynote speakers such as U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), among other energy industry leaders and government officials.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s remarks highlighted exciting updates from the Biden administration.

“We’re working to create systems that will allow us to have our farmers be able to participate fully and completely in ecosystem service markets, which creates another new revenue source for them,” said Vilsack.

Ernest Moniz, 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy and CEO and founder of the Energy Futures Initiative Foundation (EFIF), previewed research on exciting opportunities to further decarbonize bioethanol.

“I would just note that the reality is, when you think about low carbon fuels, we have for decades been pursuing a variety of approaches towards low carbon fuels,” said Moniz. “The only one that to date has been found to be effective, scalable and affordable, frankly, has been ethanol production…And we can’t just sit around and pray. What we can do is work at this in the ethanol-approved, proven approach that can get us there.”

During more than 160 meetings with Congressional member offices, attendees stressed the importance of prioritizing policies such as a permanent solution for nationwide, year-round access to E15, accurate and timely guidance for the 45Z tax credit and setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that align with current market conditions, among other issues.

The post Biofuels Summit 2024: Policy Priorities that Deliver on Shared Values appeared first on Growth Energy.