Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor about converting U.S. grain into bio-friendly products.
“Growth Energy is the leading trade association representing ethanol producers across the country,” Skor said.
Skor represents 96 ethanol plants around the country, which take the abundance of grain in the U.S. and convert it into a host of bio-friendly products. One of those main products produced, Skor said, is ethanol.
“We also produce nutrient-rich animal feed, corn oil that is used to make additional biofuels, and we also capture the really clean carbon that comes out of a plant, and we can use it in wastewater treatment, we can use it in food and beverage, and increasingly, we are able to store that carbon and sequester it, thus reducing our carbon footprint,” Skor said.
Instead of using a kernel of corn for one purpose only, Skor said growth energy focuses on getting the most out of these grain products.
“You can take that kernel and isolate the fat and the fiber and the starch, and maximize the value of those individual products,” Skor said.
Regarding legislation, Skor said one important piece of legislation Growth Energy is focusing on is the Consumer Fuel Choice Legislation, which would allow consumers to buy E15 year-round.
“This is something we have been working on for many years,” Skor said. “We actually, in the previous administration, EPA changed the regulations to allow for that. They were sued in court by the oil industry.”
Skor said the only way to allow consumers the choice to use E15 year-round is through permanent legislation. While some states do allow E15 all year, Skor said the goal is to reach all 50 states with this legislation.
“We had three bills introduced in this congress, we have a lot of momentum, and a growing coalition of support, so we are working really hard to see if we can get this across the finish line,” Skor said.
“E15 is sold in 30 states,” Skor said. “Right now, because of where we stand with outdated regulations, next summer, only markets that are reformulated gas markets like the city of Chicago would be able to sell it next year.”
E15 is compatible with 96 percent of cars on the road, Skor said, which means any car made in 2001 and after.
“It burns cleaner and cooler,” Skor said. “It is actually better for the engine.”
