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 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.
