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Growth Energy Tells House Committee
Ethanol Should Qualify as Advanced Biofuel
22 June
2023
By
Todd Neeley ,
DTN Staff Reporter
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Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor told a House subcommittee on Thursday
that corn-based ethanol should be considered an advanced biofuel.
(DTN file photo)
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) – Most studies on the carbon footprint of
corn-based ethanol show the biofuel reduces carbon emissions by 50%
compared to gasoline – meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard definition
as an advanced biofuel – yet the law does not allow corn ethanol to
qualify.
In a letter to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's
Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials,
Growth Energy CEO said her group supports the Fuels Parity Act, H.R.
3337, introduced by Iowa Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
That bill puts corn-starch ethanol on par with all other feedstocks in
the RFS, qualifying the biofuel as an advanced biofuel.
"Currently, under the RFS, biomass-based fuels can be considered as
advanced biofuels provided that they achieve a 50% greenhouse gas
reduction; however, corn starch is the only feedstock that is
prohibited from qualifying as an advanced biofuel regardless of the
GHG reduction achieved," Skor said in the letter.
"Brazilian sugarcane ethanol can be an advanced biofuel, but corn
starch ethanol cannot. The fibrous outer shell of a kernel of corn,
known as corn kernel fiber, can be an advanced biofuel, but corn
starch ethanol cannot. Sorghum, the closest plant-based cousin to corn
and a feedstock that is often processed right along with corn starch,
can be an advanced biofuel and corn starch ethanol cannot.
"The same ground that grows corn also grows things like soybeans,
wheat, and barley -- all of which can be advanced biofuels. So long as
corn starch ethanol can achieve a 50% GHG emission reduction, it
should be afforded the same opportunity to be an advanced biofuel like
every other feedstock."
The U.S. ethanol industry has the capacity to produce more than 17
billion gallons, which is above the 15 billion the EPA has set in the
RFS for 2024 and 2025. Allowing corn-based ethanol to qualify as an
advanced biofuel would create more room for ethanol blending in the
RFS.
Miller-Meeks' legislation calls on the EPA to use the U.S. Department
of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Greenhouse Gases, Regulated
Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model.
By requiring the use of GREET the bill would direct EPA to use the
best-available science to determine the greenhouse gas benefits of
biofuels. That also would ensure feedstocks are accurately judged
based on their actual carbon performance.
"While we are grateful for the discussion of the Fuels Parity Act, a
hearing on the freedom to buy affordable fuel is incomplete without
mentioning the role that higher blends of biofuel like E15, a 15%
biofuel-blended fuel, play in reducing costs at the pump," Skor said
in the letter.
"Last summer amid record-high gas prices E15 provided savings as high
as nearly $1 per gallon compared to regular E10 in some areas of the
country. This summer, we have already seen instances of
$.60-per-gallon savings at the pump thanks to E15. These are
meaningful reductions."
Skor said Americans have driven more than 75 billion miles on E15,
which is available at more than 3,000 stations in 31 states.
"Unfortunately, due to outdated federal regulations, E15 cannot be
sold year-round," Skor said.
"In order for American families to reap the benefits of these cost
savings, we urge the committee to consider and pass H.R. 1608, the
Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, legislation to make year-round
sales of E15 permanent."
Skor said a move from E10 to E15 would reduce carbon emissions by more
than 17 million tons.
"Increased blends of ethanol also mean less pollution and healthier
communities," she said.
"Let us be clear -- liquid fuels will continue to play a dominant role
in the transportation sector now and for decades to come. Therefore,
it is imperative to consider the vital role that affordable and
environmentally sustainable fuel options such as ethanol will play in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the current and future vehicle
fleet, rather than putting the thumb on the scale for one, single
technology."
In addition, Skor told the committee the final Renewable Fuel Standard
volumes released on Wednesday "undermines the potential" for growth in
low-carbon biofuels.
"While the RFS remains one of America's most successful clean energy
policies, its full potential as a climate solution remains untapped --
yet again," Skor said.
"EPA's decision to lower its ambitions for conventional biofuels runs
counter to the direction set by Congress and will needlessly slow
progress toward climate goals."
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