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

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

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

Read Growth Energy’s brief here.

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

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

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

Background 

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

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

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

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

Background

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

About E15 

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

Learn more about E15 here.

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

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

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

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

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

About Growth Energy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Two prominent biofuel groups—Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)—commented on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to grant certiorari on petitions pertaining to the administration of small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), issuing the following joint statement:

“The Fifth Circuit was clearly an improper venue to hear challenges on small refinery exemptions (SREs). Because the Fifth Circuit opinion set up a clear split with several other Circuit courts on the question of venue, this is precisely the sort of issue that the Supreme Court is meant to resolve. The Court has agreed, and we look forward to participating in the case and having this issue settled once and for all.

“The refining community’s abuse of small refinery exemptions destroys demand for biofuels nationwide, which negatively impacts farmers and bioethanol producers regardless of where they operate. The economic and environmental impact of this abuse does not recognize state lines. The decision in this case should strengthen the RFS by giving biofuel producers and their farm partners the certainty they deserve.”

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 (like biofuels) 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.

About Growth Energy and RFA’s Petition

In May 2024, Growth Energy and RFA jointly petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn an opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding EPA’s denials of several SREs under the RFS. In their petition, Growth Energy and RFA argued that challenges to those denials should be adjudicated solely in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, not in regional circuits like the Fifth, which only covers Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. In contrast to all other U.S. Courts of Appeals that evaluated this venue issue, the Fifth Circuit concluded that it was the proper venue to hear and rule on these challenges, despite the fact that EPA’s SRE policy is “nationally applicable” and “based on a determination of nationwide scope or effect.” 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, provided testimony to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today about the importance of giving farmers flexibility when it comes to implementing and incentivizing practices that lower the carbon intensity (CI) of renewable fuel production, including climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices. 

Speaking at USDA’s Public Consultation on Climate-Smart Agriculture Biofuel Feedstocks, Growth Energy General Counsel Joe Kakesh called on USDA, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to give farmers and renewable fuel producers credit for every CI-reducing technology they implement at the plant and on the farm, specifically when administering the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. 

“Robust decarbonization cannot be achieved unless the full range of CI-reduction technologies – both on-farm and at the plant – is recognized, and unless farmers and biofuel producers are provided the flexibility to implement CI-reduction technologies that reflect current practices and spur future innovation,” Kakesh said. “45Z provides an opportunity to do this. We urge USDA, Treasury, EPA, and other agencies working on Section 45Z guidance to expand options to realize the full CI-reduction potential of biofuels under Section 45Z, and to provide guidance before January 1, 2025, to allow stakeholders to take full advantage of the credit from day one.” 

Kakesh noted that agriculture represents more than 50 percent of bioethanol’s CI score, and that CSA is integral to reducing the carbon footprint of all crop-based biofuels. He highlighted recent research by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) Foundation that showed that on-farm practices can reduce the CI of bioethanol by up to 56 percent. In conjunction with at-plant CI reduction technologies, CSA can play a powerful role in the decarbonization of the entire transportation fuel sector. 

Read the full testimony as prepared here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuel trade association—celebrated completion of the fifth and final round of applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) by releasing new figures that demonstrate how Growth Energy has helped retailers install equipment to offer higher biofuel blends like E15 and E85. 

In total, Growth Energy facilitated 54% of grant applications for the last five rounds of HBIIP resulting in 1,173 total sites adding higher bioethanol-blended fuels. With these additions, our retail partners will generate 100 million gallons of additional bioethanol demand annually. Through grant writing, per-gallon incentives, and even direct financial support, Growth Energy has driven more than $1 billion in investments in new biofuels infrastructure since 2011, the year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Growth Energy’s waiver request that ultimately allowed the sale of E15 in cars made in 2001 or newer.  

“Over the past few summers, E15 has been saving drivers 10 to 30 cents per gallon, and our leaders in Congress are rallying bipartisan support to make those savings a permanent, year-round feature of the marketplace,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We are committed to increasing consumer access to this more affordable, lower-carbon fuel option. With every new pump that offers E15, we’re increasing American energy security, reducing emissions, and holding down prices for hardworking families.” 

“We are thrilled with the outstanding results we’ve seen so far, from HBIIP and the programs that preceded it, and, as always, are grateful to our retail partners and USDA Secretary Vilsack for making it possible,” Skor added.  

“We invite drivers from all across Florida, Texas, and Georgia to visit one of our locations that offers E15 and try it out for themselves. This is a fuel option that’s compatible with 96% of the cars on the road, better for the environment, and easier on their wallets,” said Steve Walk, COO of Protec Fuel. “We’re excited to see what the future holds for our stores and their customers as they offer this more affordable fuel option, and we thank the team at Growth Energy for their support throughout the grant process–without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.” 

The success of HBIIP illustrates the growing demand for more affordable, lower-carbon fuel options among retailers and their customers. Growth Energy will continue to build on this momentum so that consumers across the country have access to the cleaner burning, cost-lowering fuel option.

The post Growth Energy Facilitated Over Half of HBIIP Grant Applications, Surpassed $1 Billion in Retailer Investment Since 2011 appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended a bipartisan group of House lawmakers for introducing a bill today that would allow for the year-round nationwide sale of E15—a fuel blend made with 15% American bioethanol that’s more affordable and better for the environment than standard gasoline.

“E15 is one of the best ways to lower costs for consumers while also reducing our carbon emissions. For the past six summers, hardworking families across America have enjoyed big summer savings on E15 ranging from 10 to 30 cents per gallon, with some locations selling the fuel for more than a dollar less per gallon,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “But over the last three summers, those savings were only possible thanks to last-minute intervention by EPA. This bill will finally fix the outdated law that threatens to take E15 off the market when consumers need it most during the busy summer driving season.

“We thank Representative Smith (R-Neb.), Representative Craig (D-Minn), and the bipartisan group of cosponsors for their leadership to ensure we preserve consumer access to lower-carbon, more-affordable fuel options nationwide all year round. With bipartisan bills now introduced in both chambers of Congress, this is our chance to finally get this commonsense legislation across the finish line.”

The E15 fix introduced today is the House version of S. 2707, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The legislation would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%, provide limited retroactive relief to small refiners, and supersede a recent effort to ensure year-round access to E15 in eight Midwest states.

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 3,400 gas stations in 31 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.

Learn more about E15 here.

The post Biofuel Champions Introduce Bipartisan E15 Fix in House of Representatives appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Growth Energy praised the introduction of new legislation that would extend the 45Z clean fuels credit, which is currently slated to expire at the end of 2027.

The 45Z extension bill, the Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act, is sponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), with companion legislation introduced by Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) in the House of Representatives. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) also cosponsored the legislation. The current tax credit would be extended for seven years, and new requirements would prioritize domestic feedstocks for low-carbon fuels, like bioethanol.

“This important bill sends a strong signal that the 45Z extension is going to be a top, bipartisan priority in this Congress and the next,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud Senators Brown, Marshall, and all our rural champions for working to give biofuel producers and our farm partners the long-term certainty we need to accelerate innovation in America’s bioeconomy.

“With a longer runway from Congress, and clear, flexible, and timely guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, we’ll have the pieces in place to unlock billions of dollars in new clean energy investments across rural America.”

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

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WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Energy Futures Initiative Foundation (EFIF), led by Ernest J. Moniz, the 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy, today released a new study detailing pathways to further decarbonize ethanol to reach near net-zero carbon intensity by 2035 and negative carbon intensity by 2050.

“Low-carbon liquid fuels will be essential for decarbonizing transportation, and ethanol has been the leader in the move to affordable low-carbon fuels,” said Ernest J. Moniz, the 13th Secretary of Energy and EFIF President and CEO. “Through this research, we identified a portfolio of relatively low-cost solutions that can take ethanol close to a net zero fuel by 2035. In addition to being the most effective, scalable, and affordable low-carbon fuel today for vehicles, decarbonized ethanol also has the potential to help provide Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This market can help sustain the ethanol supply chain as a major driver of the rural economy.”

The EFIF research found nine currently available and affordable measures, which together could lower the carbon intensity (CI) score of renewable vehicle fuels to near-net-zero by 2035 and to net-zero or negative emissions by 2050. Effective measures included:

• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) of the fermentation process;
• Low carbon energy use at biorefineries including using combined heat and power generation with biomass and using carbon-free electricity;
• Climate smart agriculture practices, including planting cover crops, no-till farming, using enhanced efficiency fertilizers, and fertilizer management practices.

Copyright © 2024 EFI Foundation (EFIF). All rights reserved.

The EFIF report shows the impact of various measures for reducing the carbon intensity (CI) of ethanol to reach net-to-negative carbon emissions by 2050. At left, ethanol CI decreases from 53.6 gCO₂e/MJ today to 6.2 gCO₂e/MJ by 2035 and to net-zero or negative emissions by 2050. 

To accelerate adoption of these practices, the report outlines policy recommendations such as a call for timely guidance on the 45Z clean fuels production tax credit slated to take effect in 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The research also looks at the potential of lower-carbon ethanol to help reduce emissions for on-road fuels as well as to close the “emissions gap” in hard-to-abate sectors like aviation.

The research, sponsored by Growth Energy, included months of research by EFIF staff to analyze the carbon intensity reduction potential, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of a total of 21 different measures taking place on farms and at biorefineries across the U.S. All of the nine initiatives ultimately recommended are currently in use at select facilities and farms.

“EFIF’s recommendations are as practical as they are robust, reflecting innovations our members and their farm partners are already embracing,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, the largest ethanol trade association in the country. “We are proud of our industry’s progress to date and look forward to seeing biofuels continue to deliver on ambitious carbon reduction goals.”

The full EFIF study will be released in conjunction with the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Summit during Climate Week NYC.

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About the EFI Foundation:

The EFI Foundation (EFIF) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on ways to harness the power of technology and policy innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition. The EFI Foundation builds on the work of the Energy Futures Initiative, established in 2017 by Ernest J. Moniz, the 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy.

The post EFIF Study Showcases Ethanol Industry’s Central Role in Decarbonizing the Transportation Sector appeared first on Growth Energy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, today highlighted a number of issues currently plaguing the nation’s rail service—which have resulted in delayed shipments, longer wait times, and higher costs for America’s ethanol producers.  

In testimony delivered to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) at a D.C. hearing today, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley outlined the scale of the problem. “With drivers facing high fuel prices and ethanol consistently trading significantly less than unfinished gasoline, at perhaps no other time has the need for timely and efficient ethanol rail service been more important,” said Bliley. “Unfortunately, just two years ago, our members saw the most disrupted and inconsistent rail service since the weather-related service disruptions of the ‘Polar Vortex’ in 2014. Data posted by the STB shows that, in 2022, average dwell time for ethanol unit trains increased, average rail speed decreased, and average number of ethanol-loaded cars not moved increased—all negative trends that contribute to added costs and other negative consequences throughout the entire biofuel supply chain.” 

Bliley cited increasing rail rates, unfair dispute resolution practices, and unpredictable scheduling issues as major concerns for the American ethanol industry, which ships nearly 70% of what it produces via rail. In his testimony he said that timely and efficient rail service is essential to potential growth opportunities for the industry, as well as for freight rail. 

“Looking ahead as an industry, we see tremendous potential for use of higher ethanol blends such as E15, E85, and midlevel ethanol blends like E30. We also see long-term opportunities to decarbonize the aviation sector through use of sustainable aviation fuel,” said Bliley. “These growth opportunities for biofuels and American agriculture can also offer tremendous growth opportunities for freight rail as well. However, that is all dependent on timely and efficient rail service being able to deliver significant increases in rail traffic.” 

Find a copy of Bliley’s remarks here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, filed an amicus brief today in a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, otherwise known as the “tailpipe emissions rule.” In the amicus brief, Growth Energy noted that EPA’s rule was a missed opportunity to recognize the positive impact biofuels can have on reducing tailpipe emissions. 

“As Congress recognized when it enacted the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) almost twenty years ago, biofuels offer numerous climate and other benefits. When compared with petroleum, corn ethanol emits only about half as much greenhouse gases (GHGs), and cellulosic ethanol, made from the waste components of crops, emits even less,” Growth Energy said in the amicus brief. “Ethanol and other biofuels also emit less particulate matter and other pollutants harmful to human health. And all these benefits are readily available right now, all while enhancing energy security and supporting U.S. jobs.” 

In EPA’s rule, which is designed to reduce emissions of GHGs and other pollutants in vehicles for model years 2027 and later, the agency ignored biofuels and their enormous, congressionally recognized benefits.  

“EPA’s analyses treated vehicles that operate on biofuels the same as vehicles that operate exclusively on fossil fuels. EPA failed to consider using or incentivizing higher biofuel blends in vehicles as a way to reduce emissions. And EPA’s cost-benefit analysis looked only at the employment and energy security impacts of the petroleum industry, disregarding the biofuels industry entirely,” the amicus brief said. “For the agency that Congress entrusted to promote biofuels, EPA’s total failure to acknowledge biofuels in the Rule is arbitrary and capricious.” 

Read Growth Energy’s full amicus brief here. 

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WASHINGTON D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed industry leaders from across the U.S. to Washington, D.C. this week for the 15th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS). The summit kicked off today and will continue through Thursday.  

GEBS is the premier advocacy event for advancing biofuels policies and securing America’s energy future. This year, attendees will participate in more than 100 meetings on Capitol Hill, giving lawmakers and rural champions the information and support they need to drive change and progress in the bioeconomy. The event program also features a lineup of influential guest speakers, including keynotes from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and other sessions featuring government officials and energy industry leaders: 

• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will provide insights into the Administration’s vision for biofuels in its broader decarbonization strategy. 

• EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor will engage in a conversation about the successes and challenges facing the biofuel industry today.  

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

“You aren’t just representatives of a crucial sector,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor in her welcoming remarks to the biofuels summit this morning. “You are ambassadors for the future that our nation deserves … Because 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.” 

In her keynote, Skor focused on policy priorities that deliver on values shared across the political spectrum. Those include finalizing timely and accurate guidance for the 45Z tax credit, setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that align with current market conditions, and securing a permanent, year-round solution for E15 access nationwide. 

On driving investment in America’s rural communities: 

“If growers and producers can count on RFS requirements that are timely, ambitious, and reliable, that economic stability ripples out into entire communities … RFS, SREs, carbon capture: These aren’t wish list items to help an industry. It’s a platform to secure and strengthen the rural economy.” 

On giving American consumers greater choice and lower prices: 

“Inflation and the cost of living are dominating kitchen-table conversations around the country — and biomanufacturers deliver relief straight to Americans’ pocketbooks. Drivers across America deserve the freedom to maximize their savings at the pump. That means E15 access should be permanent, year-round, and nationwide. Period.” 

On accelerating innovation in America’s bioeconomy: 

“We are just scratching the surface of the new bioeconomy. We aren’t competing over scarcity. We’re unleashing abundance. We can’t let 21st-century innovation be held back by messy bureaucracy or special interests pushing inaccurate science.” 

On securing American dominance in hard-to-electrify sectors: 

“Air travel. Marine and freight transportation. These markets need different solutions … Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is key to decarbonizing the skies. Both Republicans and Democrats understand this. The United States can choose to lead or choose to follow.” 

On unlocking foreign markets for American bioproducts: 

“It won’t be enough to bolster our bioeconomy here at home if we lack access to global markets. America is home to the most innovative biomanufacturers in the world. We need to be proactively knocking down barriers and opening new opportunities for them to compete and win.” 

Skor’s full biofuels summit speech, as prepared for delivery, is available here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, filed two petitions for rehearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit regarding the Court’s decision – unsealed in August – on small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The first petition seeks to have the court correct errors that led to its rejection of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to deny several oil refiners’ SRE petitions. The second petition asserts Growth Energy’s standing to challenge EPA’s decision to excuse some of those same refiners from RFS biofuel blending obligations.

“These petitions are consistent with how the RFS should work,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Congress clearly intended for SREs to provide rare relief for refineries, and only those seeking to comply in good faith with their RFS blending obligations. If the D.C. Circuit’s opinion stands, guardrails to ensure good faith compliance will disappear, allowing refineries to gamble on RIN markets, pocket any windfalls, and lean on the U.S. government when those gambles don’t go their way.”

Skor stated further that it’s clear that Growth and other biofuels producers have standing to participate in RFS disputes, including disputes about SREs. “Every SRE granted by EPA directly and negatively impacts biofuels blending, biofuels production, and our industry’s bottom line,” she added. “That type of competitive injury can’t be ignored, and we deserve to be able to protect our members’ interests in court.”

Read the first petition here and the second one here.

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