WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today for proposing to reallocate 100% of the difference between projected and actual exempted gallons lost to small refinery exemptions (SREs) in the 2025 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), one of America’s most vital energy programs that provides stability and growth to rural communities and biofuel producers across the U.S.  

In August, EPA announced a plan to grant 29 SREs from the 2025 RVO, threatening to undermine the economic benefits of the Trump Administration’s historic 2026-2027  RVOs, which set the number of gallons of biofuels that the nation’s oil refiners must blend into the nation’s fuel supply each year. In the same announcement, EPA pledged to fully account for any lost demand created by those SREs before the end of October.  

“With this proposal, EPA would deliver on the full potential of historic RVOs and fulfill its promise to make American farmers and biofuel producers whole,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Reallocating lost gallons would strengthen the rural economy and provide relief to farmers looking for reliable new markets that won’t be destroyed by costly exemptions. We applaud our champions in Congress for fighting tirelessly on behalf of homegrown biofuels, USDA Secretary Rollins for advocating for the nation’s rural communities, and EPA for continuing to deliver markets for America’s farmers and supporting growth and investment in liquid fuels across the country.” 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed the release today of a new report by the National Lab of the Rockies (NLR), “Evaluation of Ethanol Use in Marine Shipping,” that demonstrates ethanol’s technical, economic, and environmental potential as a viable, low-carbon fuel for ocean-going vessels.

“This report makes it clear that the American ethanol industry could have a potentially transformative impact on the maritime sector,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “The things that make ethanol such an attractive option as a fuel for ships are the same things that make it vital as a fuel for light-duty vehicles—lower emissions, cost competitiveness, and scalability. We thank NLR for its critical work outlining the ways in which ethanol can meet the needs of today’s shipping sector and look forward to working with our members and the entire industry to secure ethanol’s global future as a marine fuel.”

“Ethanol has advantages that few other potential marine fuels do. Its robust compatibility with methanol infrastructure, its overall scalability, and its environmental benefits make it uniquely suited to help the shipping sector achieve its goals,” said NLR Senior Research Fellow and author of the report Robert McCormick. “We hope this research paves the way for greater collaboration between ethanol producers and shippers, and that it encourages further study to fully grasp the impact ethanol could have in maritime applications.”

“The marine fuel market is key to new growth for ethanol,” said U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC) President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “Even modest adoption could create billions of gallons of new demand, providing another long-term market for corn growers while helping the shipping industry reduce emissions.”

The report details the many advantages ethanol offers when used as a fuel for ships, including:

• Molecular similarity to methanol: “Large dual-fuel methanol engines can operate on ethanol with no changes.”
• Lower emissions: “A cited study estimated U.S. corn ethanol at approximately 51.4 gCO_2eq/MJ, about 46% lower than petroleum fuels, with additional reductions possible through carbon capture and sequestration.”
• Lower toxicity: Ethanol has “lower human toxicity” compared to other marine fuels, and in the event of a spill, “rapid dissolution and low bioaccumulation [of ethanol] reduce long-term environmental persistence compared to conventional oil spills.”
• Abundant supply: “The United States has about two billion gallons per year of idled production capacity (nearly six million mt).”
• Energy density: “Ethanol has approximately 35% higher energy content than methanol…”

The report also identifies marine shipping as a potentially significant market for ethanol producers, estimating that the currently operating methanol dual-fuel fleet alone could consume roughly two billion gallons of ethanol annually under high-substitution scenarios.

NLR prepared the report with support from Growth Energy and USGBC. Read the full report here.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today after it voted to approve regulations that will allow the state to give its residents access to E15, a 15% ethanol-blended fuel that sells for $0.30 per gallon less on average compared to regular fuel.

“California drivers need relief at the pump and E15 is the easiest way to deliver. With this vote, CARB has cleared the way for consumers to get access to this more affordable fuel option,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “E15 saves consumers money and can be used in the vast majority of vehicles on the road, all while simultaneously lowering emissions.  We commend Chair Lauren Sanchez and the entire board for taking action on behalf of drivers looking for lower prices at the pump. As we’ve said before, our industry is eager to help get E15 into the market and we look forward to continuing our partnership with state regulators and retailers to make this happen as soon as possible.”

The vote comes on the heels of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature of SB 795, a bill that directs the state fire marshal to finalize the rules necessary to increase retail access to E15 in the state. CARB’s approval of these regulations is the culmination of years of collaboration between the agency and the ethanol industry, working through the multimedia evaluation process, which included rigorous testing to demonstrate E15’s environmental benefits. The final steps of this rulemaking were mandated and funded by the 2025-26 state budget.

Before the vote, Growth Energy Director of State Government Affair Dallas Gerber delivered remarks urging the Board to adopt permanent E15 approval. Read his testimony as prepared for delivery here.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature today on Senate Bill 795 (the “California E15 bill”). The legislation orders the state fire marshal’s office to implement regulations that ultimately will give Californians access to E15, a more affordable fuel option made with 15% ethanol that sells for $0.30 less per gallon on average and can be used in 96% of all light-duty vehicles on the road today. 

“E15 saves consumers money and California is home to some of the nation’s highest gas prices. This step is a big win for drivers in the Golden State,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “With SB 795 now signed into law, Californians are a huge step closer to more affordable fuel options. We thank Governor Newsom for his leadership and support, which were vital to this effort to clear the final regulatory hurdles that were restricting Californians’ access to this lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel choice. 

“Our industry is eager to help drivers access E15 and its benefits. We look forward to working with state regulators and retailers around the state to make this happen as quickly as possible,” she added. 

SB 795 passed the California legislature earlier this year. Specifically, the California E15 bill instructs the state fire marshal’s office to finalize the rules necessary to fully implement Assembly Bill 30 (AB 30). AB 30 unanimously passed the state legislature last year and legalized the sale of E15 in California until the California Air Resources Board (CARB) completes a permanent regulation for E15 approval. CARB was directed to complete this permanent regulation in the 2025-2026 state budget. CARB is expected to vote on this regulation during their September 24 board meeting.  

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed more than 125 biofuel and farm voices from 19 states to Washington, D.C. this week for the 17th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS), the industry’s premier advocacy event. The Summit kicks off today and will continue through Thursday.

This year’s Summit comes at a pivotal moment for American biofuels. Following historic progress on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, expanded trade opportunities, and bipartisan House passage of legislation allowing the nationwide, year-round sale of E15, attendees will call on lawmakers to finish the year strong on policies that lower fuel costs, strengthen the farm economy, drive American innovation, and expand markets for U.S. biofuels. The Summit will feature remarks from leading biofuel champions:

• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins 

• Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) 

• Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio)  

• Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.)  

“We aren’t just relevant to this moment—we are uniquely positioned to offer solutions to the greatest challenges facing our country,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor in her keynote remarks. “No other industry does what we do: reduce gas prices, unlock billions of dollars of investment to strengthen the rural economy, drive innovation to expand the bioeconomy, and harness America’s homegrown fuel to shape the global marketplace.”

In her address, Skor highlighted the industry’s top policy priorities, with an urgent focus on securing Senate passage of year-round E15. She also called on policymakers to protect and build on recent progress under the RFS, maximize the 45Z clean fuel production credit’s impact across rural America, and continue opening new global markets for American ethanol.

On securing year-round E15:

“Americans don’t need lower fuel prices someday; they need them now. The farm economy doesn’t need support someday; it needs it now. So, our nation doesn’t need year-round E15 sometime in the distant future. We need it now. We have waited long enough.” 

On protecting the RFS:

“The administration did the right thing, and we cannot let anyone talk them into backing away from the promise they made to rural America.”

On unlocking the full potential of 45Z:

“At long last, the credit is fully connected to the farm — to real on-farm practices. Now, our goal is to protect our gains as Treasury finalizes additional rules covering issues beyond the farm. 

On expanding global markets for American ethanol:

“On trade, our message is to keep building markets. This administration is focused on bilateral trade, closing the deficit country by country. Ethanol is one of the best tools they have — because it is one of the few commodities where a new market can mean hundreds of millions of dollars of new exports.

Against the backdrop of the Growth Energy Biofuels Summit, Growth Energy also launched a fresh campaign designed to rally support for Senate action on year-round E15, including television advertising and an installation on the National Mall highlighting local fuel savings offered by the higher ethanol blend. Learn more here.

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Launch includes grassroots outreach, advertising, and an installation on the National Mall that showcases E15 cost savings in the 35 states where the fuel is available

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, relaunched its “E15 Now” campaign pressing for Senate action on a nationwide, permanent legislative fix to allow the year-round sale of E15, a higher ethanol fuel blend that costs $0.30 less per gallon on average than regular fuel and that can be used in 96% of all cars on the road today.

“Permanent year-round E15 can deliver proven relief at the pump at a time when Americans need it most,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Our new campaign will ensure leaders in the Beltway witness the real-world savings that year-round access could unlock for more families across the country. The House has already approved a fix, and the Senate must not miss this opportunity to give consumers greater access to a lower-cost fuel option.”

Highlights of the campaign include a new TV ad featuring a working mother of two who explains how E15 delivers “lower costs and a little more breathing room” for American families. The ad will appear in D.C. on digital and streaming platforms through the end of the month.

Growth Energy has also created an installation on the National Mall that invites consumers, tourists, and policymakers to learn how they can save money with E15. Visitors will find a 20-foot wall of coins—one for each of the 35 states where E15 is sold—that offers a snapshot of fuel savings drivers across the country can access by filling up with E15. Learn more at growthenergy.org/e15savings.

Advertising will be running on Capitol Hill during this week’s Growth Energy Biofuels Summit, the premier advocacy conference for the American ethanol industry. During the event, biofuel and farm voices from across the country will meet with hundreds of lawmakers and reinforce how this simple policy change could expand markets for American farmers and increase consumer access to a more affordable, cleaner-burning fuel option.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the guidance it released today in conjunction with the related 45Z CF GREET Model update that clears a path for farmers and biofuel producers to further enhance the value of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. 

Specifically, the guidance stipulates that qualifying low-carbon agricultural practices consistent with the technical guidelines released earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can be used in the calculation of the 45Z credit. The guidance also provides transition rules for applying changes made to 45Z by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including a requirement that emissions rates exclude emissions attributable to flawed, outdated, and inaccurate indirect land use change (ILUC) calculations. 

“Farmers and biofuel producers asked and the Trump administration has delivered,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “The 45Z tax credit is already driving significant investments in rural communities across the U.S., but this guidance is the key to ensuring farmers reap the benefits of the credit. 

“We thank USDA, DOE, and the Treasury Department for decisively tying qualifying farm practices to 45Z and providing important clarification on ILUC. We can’t wait to see how this new guidance accelerates the credit’s impact across rural America,” she added.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the California legislature for passing Senate Bill 795, which directs the state fire marshal’s office to implement regulations that give California drivers access to E15, a more affordable, cleaner burning fuel option that sells for $0.30 less per gallon on average and can be used in 96% of cars on the road today.

“This is a great day for drivers in the Golden State. Lawmakers have opened the door for them to access E15, which sells for less and burns cleaner than other fuel options,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Last year, California lawmakers took action against high prices at the pump by unanimously approving AB 30, legalizing E15 in California. Since then, the state has worked through regulatory questions that have been addressed by SB 795. We look forward to working with state regulators and our retail partners to save drivers money by getting E15 into their fuel tanks as quickly as possible.”

Having passed the California legislature, the bill is now on its way to Governor Newsom’s desk for signature. “We thank every legislator who voted for this bill, in particular State Senator Bob Archuleta and Assemblymember David Alvarez, whose support and leadership secured a place for SB 795 in this legislative session,” she added.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following response after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a plan to grant 29 small refinery exemptions (SREs) for the 2025 plan year of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), while also pledging to fully account for any lost demand gallons toward the 2026 and 2027 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) by the end of October.

“Our position hasn’t changed—SREs should only be granted when refiners can prove disproportionate economic hardship. It’s difficult to see how these refiners have met this threshold when they’re simultaneously reporting sky-high and, in some cases, record-setting earnings.

“However, we applaud our champions on the Hill for fighting so tirelessly on behalf of homegrown biofuels; their engagement was vital to preserve the promise of the record-setting RVOs finalized earlier this year. And we appreciate the Trump administration’s continued commitment to delivering markets for farmers and biofuel producers. We will work with EPA to fully account for lost biofuel gallons and make producers and farmers whole.”

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LANSING, MICH.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the Michigan State House of Representatives today after it voted to advance HB 5359, a bill that includes an incentive for fuel retailers in the state to sell more E15, a 15% ethanol fuel blend that’s more affordable than standard fuel and that can be used in 96% of cars on the road today. 

“This E15 incentive would give Michigan drivers greater access to a more affordable fuel option,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “With fuel prices still top of mind for consumers, Michigan is just the latest state to take action in order to save constituents money with E15. We welcome this bipartisan effort and urge the state Senate to quickly move it forward. In particular we want to thank bill sponsor Matthew Bierlein (R-97); its cosponsors Jerry Neyer (R-92), Cameron Cavitt (R-106), Gregory Alexander (R-98), Tom Kunse (R-100), and Will Snyder (D-87); and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-42) and Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-24) for their leadership and persistence in getting this bill through the House.” 

Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota have also enacted E15 incentives. Learn more about E15 here. 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today for issuing a temporary emergency fuel waiver that clears the way for the continued sale of E15, a fuel blend made with 15% ethanol that costs less than standard fuel and is approved for use in 96% of cars on the road today. 

E15 requires a waiver from the EPA in order to be sold in the summer. The agency has been issuing these emergency waivers consistently since May, and today’s announcement supports continued E15 availability across the U.S. for the remainder of the summer driving season. 

“Today’s announcement aligns with this EPA’s track record of giving retailers the certainty they need to keep E15 on the market all year long,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Now we need Congress to follow suit by passing legislation to permanently allow year-round E15 every year. Retailers, farmers, and drivers shouldn’t have to rely on EPA to provide separate waivers each year in order to have access to this more affordable fuel option. We applaud EPA for taking this initiative, and hope Congress does the same when it returns from recess by getting year-round E15 to the president’s desk.” 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, issued the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decision on six small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Specifically, EPA granted one full exemption (100%) and two partial exemptions (50%) for the 2024 compliance year, and then deemed one petition for 2024 and two for 2023 ineligible.

“Small refineries should only be granted exemptions when they can demonstrate that the RFS has caused them true disproportionate economic harm,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We continue to closely evaluate these decisions to ensure they do not undermine investments made in biofuels, agriculture, and our rural economy because of the RFS. Today’s decision highlights the critical importance of SRE reallocation in any future RVOs.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) latest response to Brazil’s unfair trade practices. The decision, which imposes tariffs of 25 percent on most goods from Brazil, followed a year-long investigation into policies that effectively ban American ethanol from Brazil’s market.

“For nearly a decade, Brazil has unfairly blocked U.S. ethanol imports, while their own producers enjoy complete and unfettered access to American markets,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “That imbalance has caused extraordinary harm to U.S. farmers and ethanol producers, and today’s decision marks an important step toward repairing the damage. We aren’t looking for preferential treatment — simply a return to the mutually beneficial trade that once defined the relationship between the world’s largest biofuel producers.”

As Growth Energy has repeatedly emphasized in testimony to USTR, Brazil’s unfair trade practices go beyond tariffs as Brazil has engaged in systematic discrimination against U.S. biofuels under its clean fuel program, RenovaBio, while disguising deforestation by Brazilian producers. Those practices have stoked unfounded claims about land use change attributed to U.S. ethanol — harming U.S. exports to the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union.

“We applaud the Trump administration for standing up against Brazil’s efforts to limit U.S. ethanol’s global eligibility for new uses, such as in the maritime and aviation sectors,” added Skor. “Moving forward, we look forward to working with USTR on additional remedies to create a level playing field for America’s farm exports.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, will testify today in favor of proposed penalties for Brazil’s unfair restrictions on imports of U.S. ethanol. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is hosting a hearing on the issue following a year-long investigation into Brazil’s trade practices. Growth Energy also filed written comments earlier this month, welcoming USTR’s proposal to impose tariffs of 25 percent on all goods from Brazil and calling for additional actions to repair the harm Brazil has caused U.S. farmers and ethanol producers.

“Brazil has been systematically working to undermine the U.S. bioeconomy since 2017, all while enjoying complete and unfettered access to American markets,” explained Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs in written testimony. “We support the administration’s efforts to restore balance to our trade relationship with Brazil. To that end, we’re encouraging USTR to go beyond the proposed tariff, and take additional actions to end deceptive practices designed to disguise illegal deforestation by Brazilian producers and block U.S. products from participating in clean fuel markets.”

Among other remedies, Growth Energy is calling on USTR to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove Brazilian ethanol’s ability to generate credits under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Currently, RenovaBio, Brazil’s renewable fuel program, effectively blocks U.S. biofuels, even as Brazilian ethanol receives favorable treatment under the U.S. program.

“Brazil continues to stoke unfounded claims about land use change attributed to U.S. ethanol—yet the land use change and deforestation continue in Brazil. And remarkably, we are charged a land use change penalty by regulators both here and abroad for things that are occurring in Brazil,” Bliley will say in his verbal testimony. “These unfounded penalties directly harm our ethanol exports to the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union and are inherent barriers to the use of U.S. ethanol as a marine or sustainable aviation fuel. All while Brazil continues to seek a free pass for its own producers. It makes no sense.”

Read more about proposed remedies in Bliley’s testimony, as prepared for delivery today here.

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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 after it released its final rule on regenerative agriculture practices (the regenerative ag rule), bringing farmers one step closer to being recognized for their innovation through the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. The full text of the final regenerative ag rule—Technical Guidelines for the Production of Regenerative Agricultural Biofuel Feedstocks—and other useful information from USDA can be found here. 

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement in response: 

“Thanks to the leadership of Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA, we are one step closer to ensuring farmers are recognized for their innovation and regenerative farm practices in the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Linking this rule to 45Z is critical for delivering more value to farmers, many of whom are already using regenerative practices. We applaud the Trump administration for finalizing this rule, and we look forward to working with the Departments of Energy and Treasury to finally connect the dots and unleash new investments in rural America and homegrown biofuels.” 

Learn more about 45Z here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the Trump Administration today for issuing a call for year-round E15 in its supplemental funding request to Congress. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement: 

“We appreciate the Trump Administration demonstrating its commitment to lowering costs and strengthening rural economies by securing a year-round fix for E15. Today’s supplemental request shows how critical it is to provide certainty around this bipartisan, common-sense solution. Drivers are looking to their elected leaders for relief from higher prices, and farmers are looking for new markets to ensure they can stay in business. Congress should not miss this opportunity to deliver a permanent fix for E15, giving consumers greater access to a lower-cost fuel option and more savings at the pump.” 

Learn more about E15 here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed a motion to intervene in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) v. EPA et al. (Case No. 26-1132).

In a set of eight consolidated cases, CBD and several other organizations, including oil refiners and the Sierra Club, are challenging EPA’s most recent “Set 2” rule for the 2026-2027 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement:

“Each new RVO rule draws the same misguided set of challenges every year, and this year likely will not be any different. Let’s lay out the facts.

“Under the Set 2, the RFS continues to work as Congress intended. EPA has again finalized RVOs that advance important energy security, environmental, and economic development goals. EPA has also again finalized RVOs that pose no real threat to the continued operation of small refineries.

“Despite all this evidence, we have special interests aiming to undermine the record-setting 2026-2027 RVOs to the detriment of farmers, consumers, and the environment. However, we know we stand on firmly established legal, political, and scientific grounds—the RFS saves consumers money, helps farmers, and reduces emissions. The newest RVOs are the strongest ever, and we’re confident the court will not allow challenges to stand in the way of the benefits they can deliver to drivers, rural communities, and biofuel producers.”

Read the motion to intervene here.

Background

On March 27, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) “Set 2” Final Rule. After assessing six statutory factors relating to, among others, energy security, rural economic development, and environmental impacts, EPA established Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and 2027 at the largest levels in the nation’s history.

The EPA also finalized a 70 percent partial grant of exemptions from the 2023-2025 RVOs via the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) program and reallocated exempt gallons toward the 2026 and 2027 RVOs. EPA also projected future SRE exemptions from the 2026 and 2027 RVOs themselves and included those exempt gallons in its final RVO calculations. . EPA also issued a “may affect, not likely to affect” determination under the Endangered Species Act with respect to the potential impact of the Set 2 rule on endangered species and critical habitat, finding that such effects were extremely unlikely to occur.

EPA also finalized a proposal to remove renewable electricity as an eligible fuel under the RFS that could generate RIN credits (so-called “e-RINs”) based on its conclusion that renewable electricity did not meet the statutory definition of a renewable fuel. EPA proposed, but did not finalize, provisions aimed at boosting domestic biofuel production by limiting the ability of imported fuels and feedstocks to participate in the RFS.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed the announcement today of an update to the 45Z-CF GREET Model by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement.

“American farmers and ethanol producers are driving innovation in liquid fuels, and a strong, well-implemented 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit promises to rebuild farm income and open long-term markets for American manufacturing. This update to the 45Z CF-GREET model builds on the progress made by Congress and President Trump in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) by reaffirming the removal of flawed indirect land-use change penalties on American biofuels and supporting the eligibility of undenatured fuel ethanol for American exports. The new model marks an important step toward building a regulatory regime that unleashes the full potential of 45Z. We applaud DOE for its work and look forward to continued work by Treasury and USDA to implement final 45Z regulations that set American farmers and ethanol producers on a path toward future success.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor delivered keynote remarks at the 42nd annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), highlighting recent victories for America’s ethanol industry and outlining the path ahead for continued growth at home, overseas, and across new transportation markets.

“Ethanol means American energy dominance. Ethanol means lower gas prices and affordability. Ethanol means a stronger farm economy and rural jobs,” said Skor. “This is our time. This is our moment to step up and deliver the solutions that our country needs.”

During her remarks, Skor also pointed to recent victories across policy and market priorities, including the House passage of legislation allowing the year-round, nationwide sale of E15.

“Across our issues and priorities, we are seeing a level of unity across the entire sector that is unprecedented,” said Skor. “Ethanol producers, corn growers, and farm groups—even the oil majors—are all working together in ways we have never seen before.”

“At long last—a bill to allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 passed the House on a strong, bipartisan vote,” she added. “That took an all-out sprint on Capitol Hill unlike anything our industry had done before.”

She also highlighted continued progress expanding the retail footprint for E15, opening new export markets, and building demand for ethanol in sectors such as maritime shipping, sustainable aviation fuel, and heavy machinery.

“We aren’t just breaking down market barriers between states or between countries. We want to break down barriers between entire sectors of transportation. We want to get our molecule into engines where we’ve never been before,” said Skor. “Long gone are the days when people thought of ethanol as just for cars and trucks. Now we get to discuss and debate what brand new sector ethanol is going to dominate first—air travel, sea transport or heavy machinery. This is exciting. And it isn’t hypothetical. It’s happening. These sectors have made investments. They need more energy, and cleaner energy, and they need it fast.”

Skor concluded by urging attendees to take action, and to help Growth Energy secure continued growth for the ethanol industry.

“Keep reaching out to your local officials,” she said. “Keep hosting plant tours. And let’s think even closer to home—does your neighbor fill up with E15? Do your family members make sure to look for ethanol? We need to be our own evangelists—from the White House and Capitol Hill to the July 4th barbecues in our backyards.”

This year’s FEW is being held June 2-4 in St. Louis, Missouri. As the largest and longest-running ethanol conference in the world, FEW serves as a premier forum for showcasing new technologies, research, and innovations across the biofuels industry.

Attendees can also connect with Growth Energy throughout the conference at Booth 1119.

Skor’s keynote remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today after the agency released the initial findings of its Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s unfair treatment of American ethanol. 

USTR specifically referred to Brazil’s failure to allow U.S. producers to compete in its market, noting that “in 2017, Brazil abruptly discontinued its previously balanced tariff treatment of ethanol and has since failed to provide reciprocal tariff treatment for U.S. ethanol exports.” 

“American ethanol producers have been sounding the alarm on Brazil for years,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This is a country that has unfairly used tariff and non-tariff trade measures to severely restrict imports of U.S. ethanol, while enjoying complete and unfettered access to American markets. We appreciate USTR recognizing Brazil’s unfair trade advantage arising from its insufficient action on deforestation. We applaud USTR for continuing to press Brazil on the issue of fairness and we look forward to reviewing the determination in detail and providing further comments to support the ultimate goal of delivering a level playing field for ethanol in the western hemisphere.” 

Read Growth Energy’s previous comments on USTR’s Section 301 investigation here.  

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