The 2022 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS) returned to in-person hill meetings at a critical moment for the biofuels industry, as lawmakers are focused on affordable and accessible fuel, energy independence, and a thriving middle America.

Meeting attendees discussed our industry’s renewed push for a stronger Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – one that ensures ethanol continues to play a growing role in meeting our nation’s climate needs and energy demands.

GEBS also coincided with the end of the 2022 summer driving season, which allowed attendees in over 150 Capitol Hill meetings promote the meaningful cost-savings higher blends offer consumers – with an ask that Congress provide a permanent, federal fix so drivers can access lower-cost E15 year-round, nationwide, and in the summers to come.

Setting the Stage

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor kicked 2022 GEBS by applauding the Biden Administration’s summer waiver for E15, allowing American drivers to save nearly a dollar per gallon in some markets. She also acknowledged the hard work of congressional champions who secured key biofuel provisions in the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act and expressed support for the EPA’s decision to set forward-looking Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) for 2022.

Skor also marked the end of the summer driving season on September 15th, noting that a permanent fix for E15 is vital before the next summer driving season.

Hearing Directly from the Biden Administration

Following Skor’s speech, attendees heard from EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who emphasized the importance of biofuels to meeting our nation’s climate and energy security goals. Administrator Regan also laid out EPA’s priorities for America’s biofuels industry. GEBS was Administrator Regan’s first in-person biofuels event as a member of the Biden Administration.

Attendees also heard from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh who championed the role that America’s rural communities play in a clean energy future. GEBS was also Deputy Secretary Bronaugh’s first in-person biofuels event.

Thanking Our Champions

Meeting with congressional offices on key policy issues is the primary goal of the Biofuels Summit, but so is thanking our congressional biofuels champions for everything they do to support our industry. As members conducted almost 150 Hill meetings, they presented Fueling Growth Awards to those elected officials from across the country who have championed the RFS and homegrown biofuels to support ethanol producers and the rural economy.