WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement after U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA would release $537 million of funds obligated under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)—a program that makes it easier for fuel retailers to offer fuel options made with higher-ethanol blended fuels including E15, a fuel blend made with 15% American ethanol that can be used in 96% of all cars on the road today.

“The release of this [HBIIP] funding will empower retailers to offer more American-made biofuels, which drives demand for ethanol and the corn used to make it,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “More ethanol also means lower fuel costs for consumers, making the release of these funds a huge win for everyone in the biofuels supply chain, from the farm to the fuel tank. We applaud Sec. Rollins and the Trump Administration for their leadership, and for delivering on their promise to support American farmers and biofuel producers. We look forward to seeing how retailers put these funds to good use and will continue to work with the Administration as it aims to drive American energy dominance and rural growth by expanding access to homegrown biofuels.”

Sec. Rollins made the announcement while visiting Growth Energy Member Elite Octane’s plant in Atlantic, Iowa. Growth Energy Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer was on-hand with Sec. Rollins at other events throughout the day, along with other key biofuel leaders from Iowa.

Through grant writing for the HBIIP program, per-gallon incentives, and 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.

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.

Nationwide adoption of E15 would save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American families, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. GDP. Learn more about E15 here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American renewable fuels industry presented oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court today in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) v. Calumet Shreveport Refining, LLC, et al., a case that addresses where challenges to small refinery exemptions (SREs) decisions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) can be brought.

Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) jointly intervened on EPA’s behalf, urging the Court to reject an argument by refineries that would allow them to “forum shop” for more favorable venues to challenge recent SRE denials despite clear direction from Congress that those decisions should be adjudicated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

“Congress clearly intended to streamline review of SRE decisions to ensure consistency and uniformity for assessing SRE petitions,” said Growth Energy and RFA in a joint statement. “Today, the American biofuels industry came together to argue in front of the nation’s highest court, and to defend farmers and ethanol producers from the oil industry’s attempts to create an inefficient and fractured body of law governing the SRE program.”

The Supreme Court granted certiorari from an outlier ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which held that challenges to the SRE denials at issue were properly brought before it. Numerous other Circuit Courts disagreed, finding instead that the D.C. Circuit is the proper venue for these SRE challenges and creating the “circuit split” on venue that the Supreme Court is poised to resolve.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today, urging the agency to change course and either revise or remove new recently-proposed rules aimed at combating China’s efforts to dominate global shipping.

In April 2024, USTR began a Section 301 investigation into China’s practices that target the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. USTR ultimately found that China’s efforts to maintain a competitive advantage in these three sectors were “unreasonable” and that they “burden or restrict U.S. commerce.” In response to this finding, USTR proposed new fees that would increase the cost of shipping U.S. goods using Chinese vessels, and impose new restrictions on shipping that would effectively mandate that all U.S. goods be exported on U.S.-flagged, U.S. built vessels, with only limited exceptions.

“The noted fees and costs of compliance with the proposed requirements to use U.S.-flagged and operated vessels will be significant and result in higher, less-competitive prices and decreased demand for U.S. exports while also increasing the price of imported inputs for ethanol’s production. This will upend domestic supply chains while increasing port consolidation, port congestion, costs, other compliance requirements, and clearance time by customs that will add to the burden and cost of producing and exporting U.S. ethanol,” said Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley in submitted comments. “Some of our members are already experiencing reluctance from shippers to enter future transactions without shouldering the risk associated with this proposal. At the same time, other countries are taking actions to ease the cost of trade and expand their ethanol exports—most notably, Brazil is currently seeking a trade agreement with the European Union (EU) that would give their ethanol industry greater, easier access to that market.”

“As a result of the potential harm to the U.S. ethanol industry, we ask for you to remove the proposed fees and restrictions on services,” the comments concluded. “These new requirements would cause a significant upheaval that American producers can ill afford.”

Growth Energy has also signed onto other comments urging USTR to change course, including a coalition letter signed by 317 trade associations submitted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) outlining the damage the proposed fees and restrictions would do to American commerce.

Exports of U.S. ethanol set a record in 2024, shipping 1.9 billion gallons worth $4.3 billion. During the same period the American ethanol industry maintained a $3.9 billion trade surplus.

Read Growth Energy’s full comment here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, presented recommendations on how to improve and implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) interim guidelines on climate-smart, or regenerative, agriculture practices today. The agency is currently reviewing the Interim Rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. 

“This is an important opportunity for USDA to maximize the ability of farmers and U.S. biofuel producers to tap into new markets for clean fuels,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Strong guidelines will ensure that farmers can get credit for all their work to grow more crops using fewer resources, but we need to give them the flexibility to deploy innovations that make sense for their land and geography. By recognizing the full spectrum of innovations taking place on U.S. farms, and applying those standards to production incentives like 45Z, we can fast-track the production of new fuels made from American-grown feedstocks.” 

Most importantly, Growth Energy called on USDA and the U.S. Treasury to work to include CSA practices as part of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. “Although Section 45Z provides an incentive for reduced CI [carbon intensity] transportation fuel, it completely neglects the important role of CSA practices – and farmers – in reducing CI,” said Growth Energy in its comment. “In doing so it suppresses farmer interest in engaging in those practices and makes it more difficult for biofuel producers to take advantage of the Section 45Z incentive.” 

Additionally, Growth Energy called on USDA “to expand the technical guidelines to recognize a broader collection of CSA practices,” such as manure application and use of green ammonia. The association also urged USDA to streamline traceability requirements and make it easier for growers to quantify the full value of key practices.

Read Growth Energy’s full letter to USDA here.

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Yesterday in Washington, D.C., the U.S. ethanol industry – including leaders from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) – signed a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Petrolimex, the largest petroleum distributor in Viet Nam, recognizing the economic, environmental, human health, and energy security benefits of increasing the use of fuel ethanol in transportation fuel mixes.

The MOU will help Petrolimex align its business with the Government of Viet Nam’s recent directive to promote the implementation of greater ethanol usage in the country.

The U.S. ethanol industry leaders said collectively that “This event is a big first step toward building Viet Nam’s capacity to leverage fuel ethanol so the country may take advantage of all the benefits ethanol provides. It promises to deepen our bilateral economic cooperation and trade between our countries. The U.S. ethanol industry is excited to work with the leaders in Viet Nam to bolster Petrolimex’s and Viet Nam’s fuel ethanol supply chain and infrastructure.”

U.S. ethanol industry leaders signing the MOU included USGC Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, and RFA General Counsel and Vice President, Government Affairs Edward S. Hubbard, Jr.

The ceremony also included Vietnamese representatives including the Minister of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Nguyen Hong Dien, Petrolimex Vice General Director Nguyen Xuan Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dzung, and other leaders. Also present were representatives from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Energy.

The MOU follows the Viet Nam Ministry of Industry & Trade in December 2024 signing into law a directive aiming to boost fuel ethanol utilization across the country. The directive outlines steps and measures for industry and government stakeholders to promote fuel ethanol, develop new pricing mechanisms for ethanol blended gasoline, and weigh potential policy actions related to the expanded use of fuel ethanol.

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Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today after the agency announced that it would reconsider its Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, otherwise known as the tailpipe emissions rule. 

“We’re glad to see EPA reconsider this rule, which arbitrarily puts its thumb on the scale for a single vehicle technology instead of embracing homegrown renewable fuels,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We look forward to working with EPA as they restructure these standards in a way that achieves the agency’s environmental and economic goals by maximizing the use of American biofuels.” 

Growth Energy has previously submitted comments and an amicus brief objecting to the tailpipe emissions rule. As Growth said in the amicus brief, the benefits of biofuels “are readily available right now, all while enhancing energy security and supporting U.S. jobs.”  Growth observed that the rule, in its original form, was “a missed opportunity.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed a new letter from 16 state attorneys general calling on Congress to pass legislation allowing the year-round sale of E15, a higher ethanol-blended fuel that costs less than ordinary fuel and supports economic growth in rural America. 

“We’re grateful to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and her colleagues for leading the charge to finally make year-round E15 the law of the land,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “There’s no reason for delay. President Trump wants E15, and we have bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress to get this over the finish line before the summer driving season. This long-overdue fix will bring certainty to the marketplace, save consumers money, drive rural growth, and reinforce American energy dominance.” 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was among 11 leading liquid fuels trade groups that sent a letter calling on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to set “robust future renewable fuel volumes for 2026 and beyond.”

“The undersigned organizations represent a diverse group of industries, from petroleum refiners, fuel marketers and retailers, biofuels producers, and agriculture stakeholders,” they wrote. “While our organizations have not always agreed on every detail, we have joined together in recognition of the critical role liquid fuels serve in the American economy, to advance liquid fuels, and ensure consumers have a choice of how they fuel their vehicles.”

Specifically, the letter called for strong, steady volumes for conventional biofuel targets, biomass-based diesel, and advanced fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It also urged EPA to release multi-year standards that will provide greater certainty for market participants.

“This certainty is critical for business planning and compliance, as well as longer term stability to promote capital investment,” they added.

Other signatories on the letter included the Advanced Biofuels Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Petroleum Institute, American Soybean Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Association of Truck Stop Owners, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the Renewable Fuels Association. Full text of the letter is available here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, responded today to an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) giving midwestern states the option of delaying the implementation date of their petitions to circumvent outdated regulations and allow for the year-round sale of E15. 

“We applaud EPA for their support of E15 and for working to find a solution that allows each of the eight opt-out states to determine how to handle their own unique fuel market,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We appreciate the leadership of the midwestern governors who initiated the effort to secure permanent access to E15 in their states. At the same time, this announcement only further illustrates the need for a nationwide legislative fix for year-round E15. Now that we have bipartisan bills introduced in both the House and the Senate (H.R. 1346/S. 593), it’s time for Congress to take action to resolve this issue once and for all, and to finally make year-round E15 the law of the land. We look forward to working with Congress and the White House to deliver economic benefits to consumers and rural communities by expanding access to American ethanol.” 

Read the EPA E15 announcement here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed news from President Donald Trump that he would direct his administration to consider potential reciprocation on Brazilian ethanol, in response to trade barriers that effectively ban American ethanol from Brazil’s market.

“While American biofuel producers have been almost entirely blocked off from the Brazilian market, Brazilian producers have enjoyed unfettered access to the U.S. In some cases, certain policies in the U.S. even incentivize the use of imported Brazilian ethanol instead of ethanol produced here in the U.S.,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This runs contrary to putting America first, and is exactly why President Trump is taking steps to address this issue. Thank you, President Trump for taking action and pushing for a level playing field for American ethanol producers.” 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded a bipartisan group of biofuel champions in Congress today for introducing a bill that would allow the year-round sale of E15, a higher ethanol-blended fuel that costs less than ordinary fuel and supports economic growth in rural America. In response, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following remarks: 

“We applaud Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for leading the charge once again to unlock permanent, nationwide access to E15. Rural families and American consumers at large are lucky to have them in our corner, and we hope this is the bill that finally makes it over the finish line. 

“There’s good reason to be optimistic. Today, we have bipartisan, bicameral support from long-time biofuel champions who are continuing their push to bring consumer savings to drivers, and a President who has already prioritized consumer access to lower-cost fuel with E15. This bill would bring long-overdue certainty to the marketplace, save consumers money, drive growth across the heartland, and reinforce American energy dominance.   

“The American people have waited for too long to get reliable access to a fuel that can lower costs while creating jobs in rural communities. We look forward to continuing our work with our champions in Congress and the White House to finally make year-round E15 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 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. 

Nationwide adoption of E15 would save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American families, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. GDP. Learn more about E15 here. 

About E15 Restrictions and Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)  

E15 sales are restricted in the summertime in most of the country because of outdated fuel regulations on evaporative emissions that were crafted more than 20 years before EPA approved the use of E15. In an amendment to the Clean Air Act in 1990, Congress specified that fuel with 10% ethanol (E10 or regular) could be sold year-round to encourage the use of bioethanol-blended fuels, which save consumers money and provide significant reductions in tailpipe emissions. 

This Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for E10, however, predated the introduction of higher ethanol blends like E15, which have an even lower RVP. Despite having lower emissions and lower prices than E10, E15 cannot be sold in the majority of states during the summer months without the issuance of emergency waivers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A year-round E15 bill would correct this regulatory error and give fuel retailers the ability to sell E15 all year long. 

Learn more here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor congratulated President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brooke Rollins, on her confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

“USDA Secretary Rollins made it clear during her confirmation hearings that she understands the key role America’s farmers and biofuel producers will play in President Trump’s efforts to restore rural prosperity and unleash U.S. energy dominance,” said Skor. “We look forward to working with her to create jobs, rebuild farm revenues, and ensure that all Americans can save money at the pump by expanding access to homegrown biofuels.”

Learn more about how biofuels impact the rural economy here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the release of data today showing that U.S. exports of ethanol set a new record in 2024. In total, the U.S. exported 1.9 billion gallons of ethanol worth $4.3 billion in 2024, exceeding the previous record for volume set in 2018, and the previous record for value set in 2023. 

“The numbers don’t lie. The world is looking to the U.S. to meet its fuel needs and American producers are delivering in a way that supports economic growth abroad and at home in rural communities across the country,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “As the new Administration puts its new trade priorities into action, we look forward to working with President Trump and his team to ensure that we build on this momentum in a way that continues to grow the American farm economy through sales of American ethanol abroad.” 

Some highlights from the data include the following: 

• Compared to 2023, total ethanol export volume increased by 36% from 1.4 billion gallons to 1.9 billion gallons in 2024.  

• Compared to 2023, total ethanol export value increased by 13% from $3.813 billion (the previous record) to $4.311 billion in 2024. 

• The U.S. ethanol industry had a $3.966 billion trade surplus in 2024. 

• Canada remained our strongest export market for American ethanol by far, representing 35% of all U.S. global sales.  

• Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, India, Colombia, Mexico, and other top markets all had record export years as well, meaning more American ethanol was sold into those countries in 2024 than ever before. 

• The increase in exports to Colombia was driven in-part by the country returning to an E10 (10% ethanol) blending requirement. In March 2021, Colombia decreased its blending requirement from E10 to E4 (4% ethanol), and the level fluctuated over the following three years, before settling on E10 in February 2024. Unfortunately, Colombia continues to impose a countervailing duty on its imports of U.S. ethanol—without that trade barrier, it’s very likely the final export numbers to Colombia would’ve been even higher. 

• Despite 2024’s strong export performance, the industry’s figures could be even higher were it not for still-outstanding global trade impediments that restrict opportunities in places like Brazil, China, and other countries around the world. Growth Energy will continue to work with the new administration to remove these barriers and help continue to drive the farm economy.  

The export numbers can be found here. For more data on the American ethanol industry, click here. 

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

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

“Any waiver of 2024 cellulosic volume requirements should not provide precedent for the future of the RFS program or suppress RFS program goals, which are to drive production and innovation of biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels, and not to passively track a biofuels marketplace without them,” said Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley in the comment. “Furthermore, delaying the compliance deadline injects unnecessary uncertainty into the process for bioethanol producers and the entire fuel supply chain.” 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Any waiver of 2024 cellulosic volume requirements should not provide precedent for the future of the RFS program or suppress RFS program goals, which are to drive production and innovation of biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels, and not to passively track a biofuels marketplace without them. Furthermore, delaying the compliance deadline injects unnecessary uncertainty into the process for bioethanol producers and the entire fuel supply chain.
EPA faces other pressing matters related to the RFS program. EPA is already late on its next iteration of volumes under the RFS “Set” rule, in particular 2026 volumes, which EPA was required to have already set by November 1 of last year. Additionally, several other outstanding RFS issues await resolution, including updating lifecycle emissions modeling, clearing the backlog of approvals for renewable fuel pathways, including those for advanced biofuels produced from corn oil at bioethanol wet mills, bioethanol produced using carbon capture technologies, as well as pending registrations for cellulosic biofuels from kernel fiber.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The four-part roadmap is below.

Rebuild the Farm Economy

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

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

Lower Fuel Costs

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

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

Drive American Innovation

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

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

Win Global Markets

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

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

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

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuel trade association—issued the following statement after the U.S. Treasury released its long-awaited 45Z guidance (the Clean Fuel Production Credit).

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

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

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

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