Growth Energy Releases Federal Policy Roadmap to Revitalize Rural America and Unleash American Energy Dominance

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Growth Energy, the nation's largest biofuel trade association, released a roadmap to revitalize rural America today, identifying specific policy goals and actions the 119^th Congress and the incoming Trump administration should take to unleash American energy dominance through the expanded use of homegrown American ethanol, which holds down gas prices, strengthens our domestic energy production, brings jobs and prosperity to rural America, and delivers cleaner air.

"President-elect Trump has made it clear that revitalizing rural America will be a priority for his administration, and biofuels are key to accomplishing that goal," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "From securing year-round E15 for all Americans and spurring new investments in aviation fuel to driving innovation and unleashing American energy dominance in the global market, these policy recommendations align with President-elect Trump's agenda, and we look forward to working with his administration and with our champions in Congress to bring jobs and prosperity to rural America."

The four-part roadmap is below.

Rebuild the Farm Economy

Only biofuels can unlock the investments and jobs needed to revitalize rural America. We cannot allow regulatory uncertainty to hold back billions of dollars of investment into rural communities.

• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Set timely, ambitious biofuel requirements under the RFS to spur continued growth and investment in rural communities.
• Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs): Continue to limit SREs and ensure SREs are reallocated to prevent biofuel demand destruction.
• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)/Permitting: Meet permitting timelines for carbon sequestration projects and support innovative transportation and storage technology.
• New Markets: Promote investment in a fast-growing ecosystem of bioproducts, from Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to green chemicals to bio-based solutions for marine and freight transport.

Lower Fuel Costs

E15 reduces fuel prices - but only when federal regulations don't block consumer access. It's time to lift the needless regulations standing between U.S. consumers and lower-cost E15, so all Americans can make their own fuel and vehicle choices.

• E15: Restore permanent, unrestricted access to E15 for all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.
• Retail Expansion: Promote programs designed to fast track the investments needed to offer better options at the pump.
• Marketing Barriers: Streamline regulations that impose onerous labeling and underground tank requirements on existing infrastructure.
• Vehicle/Fuel Standards: Ensure engine performance and fuel standards harness the full power of American bioethanol to reduce tailpipe and carbon emissions.

Drive American Innovation

Pro-growth tax policy can unlock billions of dollars in new investments in U.S. energy innovation. With proper implementation, new tax credits could be the starting pistol to revitalize rural American, support rural communities waiting to access new economic opportunities, and deliver on the promise of climate-smart agriculture.

• Low-Carbon Solutions: The U.S. Treasury Department must provide clear and timely tax guidance that accurately rewards all available decarbonizing strategies at on the farm and at the biorefinery.
• Modeling: Ensure fuel standards and tax policy are guided by Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model, which is the gold standard for measuring the emissions-reducing power of farm-based feedstocks and biofuels.
• SAF/Flexibility: Ensure regulations give farmers the flexibility they need to adopt low-carbon strategies that work best for their farm.
• Clean Fuels Tax Extension: Extend a pro-growth 45Z so biofuel producers and our farm partners have the long-term certainty needed to accelerate innovation in America's bioeconomy.

Win Global Markets

America is the world's largest producer and exporter of biofuels. With fair access to foreign markets, American producers will dominate the global bioeconomy.

• Fair Trade: U.S. trade diplomats must combat unfair trade barriers and tariffs imposed by competitors in Brazil, China, India, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
• Expanding Markets: Open new export opportunities for low-carbon biofuels by supporting higher blends in Canada, Japan, India, Mexico, and across the globe.
• Domestic Feedstocks: Advance fuel policies that do not advantage foreign feedstocks over low-carbon commodities harvested on American farms.

The roadmap to revitalize rural America is available online at growthenergy.org/roadmap. Learn more about Growth Energy's policy priorities here.

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