In September, Growth Energy welcomed its members from across the U.S. to Washington, D.C., for the 14th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit, one of our industry’s most important advocacy events.While in D.C., attendees met with their elected senators and representatives to tell the industry’s story and advocate for pro-biofuels policy priorities. Their dialogue with lawmakers centered around opportunities to lower fuel prices—and, of course, carbon emissions—by securing year-round E15, building a strong sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market by using the GREET lifecycle analysis model to apply tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, and investing in infrastructure to ensure that biofuels can continue to play a role in addressing climate challenges.Attendees heard from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities for biofuels, especially those related to SAF. Throughout his remarks, Vilsack demonstrated his ardent commitment to the issues that matter most to biofuels producers and their farm partners. He talked about the diversified, profitable and sustainable future of American agriculture, and how SAF “is a critically important component of that.” He stressed that the biofuels industry needs to continue to work on finding ways to bring down the carbon intensity of its products to be attractive to the airline companies looking to expand their use of SAF. The airlines have made it clear they want SAF produced with a wide variety of feedstocks, and the Administration wants it too.&nbsp;“This is a critical moment, a make-or-break moment,” Vilsack said. “If it’s not seized and not taken full advantage of, there will be a different kind of conversation years from now.”Summit participants also heard from U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Berube, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, who, much like Vilsack, highlighted the Administration’s commitment to including biofuels in its efforts to combat climate change.It was encouraging to hear high-profile representatives of the current Administration express that biofuels have a necessary role to play in the energy transition and in meeting climate goals. Today, with the right policies, biofuels can take up a larger part of our nation’s fuel supply to lower emissions; tomorrow, with the right modeling, farm-based biofuels will serve as the cornerstone feedstock for SAF, dramatically decarbonizing the aviation sector. Vilsack, Berube and Zaidi made it clear that this Administration understands that potential.Having wrapped up another successful summit, now comes the most important step—taking concrete actions to ensure America doesn’t miss this opportunity for homegrown biofuels to lead us into a low-carbon future. The industry is ready, and we look forward to partnering with this White House, and with our champions on the Hill, to follow through on solidifying farm-based bioethanol’s place as a next-generation climate solution.Author: Emily Skor&nbsp; CEO, Growth Energy&nbsp; 202.545.4000&nbsp; eskor@growthenergy.org&nbsp;

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Attendees at the 14th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit met with their elected senators and representatives to tell the industry’s story and advocate for pro-biofuels policy priorities.

Administration’s Commitment to Biofuels On Display at Growth Energy Biofuels Summit

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