Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, welcomed its members from across the U.S. to Washington, D.C. last week for the 14th-annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit—the American biofuels industry’s premier advocacy event.

While in D.C., the attendees met with their elected senators and representatives to tell the industry’s story, and advocate for pro-biofuels policy priorities like lowering fuel prices and 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 (IRA), and investing in infrastructure to ensure that biofuels can continue to play a role in addressing the nation's climate challenges, among other issues. 

Before spending a day and a half on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers, summit attendees enjoyed an executive-level conference program—the centerpiece of which was a suite of presentations by three Biden administration officials who each spoke to the White House’s commitment to supporting domestic, farm-based biofuels as a climate solution. Specifically, attendees heard from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation and Fuels Michael Berube, and White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. 

After the summit, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement:

“Biofuels have a necessary role to play in the energy transition and in meeting the nation’s climate goals. It’s encouraging to see that this administration understands that fact.

“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 that dramatically decarbonizes the aviation sector. The remarks from Secretary Vilsack, Deputy Assistant Secretary Berube, and National Climate Advisor Zaidi make clear that when it comes to biofuels, this administration understands their potential. 

“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 and cement farm-based bioethanol’s place as a next generation climate solution.”

For more highlights from the 2023 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit, watch this video and follow Growth Energy on X.