Growth Energy continues its focus on matters that have been an issue for years, such as expanding the Renewable Fuel Standard and allowing the year-round sale of E15. The organization is also working on nuance issues, such as ensuring American biofuel can receive tax credits for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
In-house, Growth Energy has launched a new logo and a new brand, but they continue to do what they always have been doing – expanding America’s bioeconomy, says Joe Kakesh, general counsel at Growth Energy.
Year-Round E15
Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency advanced to the White House Office of Management and Budget a rule that would grant the request of several Midwestern governors and allow them to sell E15 all year long.
E15 is a fuel blend with 15 percent bioethanol. Ninety-six percent of cars on the road today can fuel up with E15. The Midwestern states include Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Growth Energy is urging President Biden to swiftly approve the expanded sale of E15.
SAF Tax Credits
Also this month, the U.S. Treasury issued guidance on eligibility for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act. Growth Energy says the Biden administration has recognized the merits of using the GREET model in its guidance for eligibility in the tax credit.
New investments in SAF are highly dependent on the pending GREET modeling updates, but Growth Energy says the industry needs more clarity around the proposed changes. Today, under this guidance, SAF produced from other biofuels including Brazilian cane bioethanol qualifies for the tax credit, but the path for American-made corn-based bioethanol remains unclear.
“U.S. tax policy shouldn’t advantage foreign firms over domestic ones,” says Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor.
The Department of Energy’s Argonne-GREET model is widely accepted as the gold standard carbon model by the nation’s scientists, academics, and researchers, Growth Energy explains. It already reflects the latest science showing bioethanol’s limited impact on land use and its significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Biden administration should hold fast to this widely accepted science and ignore those who seek to limit SAF opportunities by pushing an inaccurate and outdated narrative about bioethanol,” Skor says.