Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, joins Jim Lenz, Director of Education and Training at GEAPS, to share a powerful vision for expanding ethanol markets through permanent E15 access — and the tremendous impact it would have on the grain industry.
The recent EPA summer waiver for E15 marks a significant victory, but Emily explains why congressional action is essential to make year-round E15 sales permanent. Full E15 adoption could drive demand for 2 billion more bushels of corn annually and strengthen America’s rural economy. Key Takeaways:
- Growth Energy’s Reach
Represents biofuel producers and the ethanol value chain across 16 states, purchasing 20% of U.S. corn annually. - E15 Brings Real Benefits
This 15% ethanol blend saves drivers 10–30 cents per gallon and more and offers improved engine performance. - Economic Powerhouse
Full E15 adoption could create 188,000 new U.S. jobs and deliver an enduring boost to rural economies. - All-American Industry
Ethanol is produced entirely on U.S. soil and employs more military veterans than any other energy sector. - Policy Urgency
Temporary summer waivers create market uncertainty. Only Congress can secure permanent, year-round E15 access. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate. - How You Can Help
Grain professionals can contact their representatives using growthenergy.org/e15now to advocate for E15. - Unity Makes an Impact
Success will come when farmers, grain handlers and processers, and others in agriculture unite their voices and support legislation that builds ethanol demand.
Stable Markets in Uncertain Times
Ethanol provides a reliable domestic market for grain, especially when international trade is unstable. Resources & Links:
- Growth Energy Website
- Support Year-Round E15 – Take Action
- Growth Energy Policy Roadmap: Revitalizing Rural America
- Latest News from Growth Energy
Reflection Questions for Listeners:
- What role does ethanol play in the grain supply chain where you work?
- How would permanent E15 legislation affect your business, co-op, or community?
- What actions can you or your organization take to support biofuels advocacy?
Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (00:05):
This is the show where we bring you fresh
ideas, smart perspectives andforward-thinking leaders from
across the grain handling andprocessing industry.
Today's episode brings energy,literally and figuratively.
We're joined by one of the mostinfluential voices in
agriculture and energy policytoday, Emily Skor, CEO of Growth
Energy.
We're talking E15, ethanol andthe future of agriculture.
(00:28):
What's next, why it matters andhow you and Congress can help.
You'll want to share thisepisode with your colleagues in
greater grain industry network.
Stay tuned.
Hello and welcome to the show.
Welcome to the Whole GrainPodcast.
My name is Jim Lenz, your hostand producer of the show and the
(00:50):
director of global educationand training at GEAPS where the
mission of the Grain Elevatorand Processing Society is to
champion, connect and serve theglobal grain industry and our
members.
At GEAPS, we work to be theglobal community and thought
leader for the grain industry,which feeds and fuels the world.
Thanks for listening today andfor joining the network of
thousands of other grainhandling and processing
(01:11):
professionals from across theglobe taking strategic steps to
grow professionally.
The Whole Grain Show will giveyou the competitive advantage to
win at work so you can makemore of an impact.
We've got a powerhouse guestjoining us Emily Skor, CEO of
Growth Energy.
Skor has dramatically expandedGrowth Energy's influence,
footprint and membership, whichincludes the majority of US bio
(01:32):
refineries.
She has secured legislation andregulatory victories during
both the Trump and Bidenadministrations.
Under her leadership, GrowthEnergy has helped open new doors
for the ethanol industry,expanded access to cleaner
burning fuel and championedyear-round sales of E15, a move
with powerful implications forthe grain industry and corn
(01:53):
producers alike.
Emily Skor was recently namedone of Washington's most
influential people shapingpolicy in 2025 by Washington
Magazine.
We're going to explore what'snext for E15, why it matters to
grain industry professionals,and how policy and innovation
are reshaping our role infueling America's future.
Let's dive into theconversation.
(02:14):
All right, we have Emily Skor,CEO of Growth Energy, on the
show.
Emily, thank you for joining uson the Whole Grain Podcast.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (02:32):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited to be with you.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (02:35):
As are we on behalf of the GEAPS organization
and the board, we thank you somuch for joining us here today.
This is an exciting time andwe'll get into why that is, and
the future, I think, looksreally bright.
But there are some bighappenings that have just
occurred now and so I'd love tostart there.
But I think, just from a largeperspective, for those who may
be unfamiliar with the work ofGrowth Energy, can you share a
(02:56):
bit about Growth Energy and themission behind your work?
Emily Skor, Growth E (03:00):
Absolutely so.
We are an advocacy organization, no-transcript membership, from
(03:31):
16 different states in thecountry.
It's all US manufacturers andthe size of my member it ranges
from a company that is a singleplant that is owned by Farmer
Co-op and maybe they produce 40million gallons of ethanol a
year.
My biggest member is aprivately held company, POET.
They're based in Sioux Falls,South Dakota.
They have 34 biorefineries thatproduce 3 billion gallons of
(03:53):
bioethanol a year and everybodyin between Our members
collectively purchase 20% ofcorn grown in this country and a
little bit of the sorghum aswell.
So that's them on themanufacturing side.
But we really also representeverybody in the value chain.
So over 130 companies thatrange from enzyme producers to
carbon capture technologyproviders to one of our most
(04:15):
recent member additionsequipment manufacturers like
John Deere.
John Deere recently joinedGrowth Energy and I'm really
proud of that because of course,that's an American iconic brand
and it's a testament to theirbelief in the importance of what
ethanol will do for USagriculture.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (04:30):
Great summary.
You met recently with SecretaryRollins and you're busy working
and having great conversationsout there.
I would love for you to carrysome of those conversations over
to our Whole Grain listenersrepresenting the grain handling
and grain processing industry.
Can you tell them a little bitmore about some of the other
facts that are related to theethanol industry, the growth
(04:52):
we're seeing from production totransportation or anything else
you think would be high levelimpact?
That's going on.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (04:59):
So let me start with something that
we've been talking to theadministration a lot about.
The ethanol industry is auniquely American industry.
Our value chain starts andstops on US soil, and so we
don't need to import a lot to beable to manufacture our product
.
We use power and we useAmerican crops, and those are
the primary inputs.
(05:19):
So we're very proud of that,and that's particularly relevant
in today's conversation whenwe're focused on American energy
dominance and US manufacturing,jobs and so forth.
The origin of the industry wasabout building markets for US
farmers, finding markets for USgrain, and we consume about a
third of the corn grown in thiscountry, so it's a very
(05:40):
important marketplace for corngrowers and, of course, grain
handlers and processors.
Therefore, therefore, as well,70% of what we produce is
shipped via rail around thecountry.
It's very impressive in termsof the logistics.
We barge, we ship, we truck.
We export about 12% of theethanol that we produce.
The biggest trading partner isour neighbor to the north,
(06:02):
canada.
They have been our biggestpartner, and we're going to talk
about E15 today.
Well, canada is very keen onE15 as well, and you know what I
love our partner to the north,but I don't want them to beat us
to the punch.
We're the biggest producer ofbioethanol in the globe.
We should also be the biggestconsumer.
We should be very proud of that.
You know one other thing that Ithink people may or may not
know, but we employ moreveterans than any other sector
(06:25):
within energy.
It's something we're very proudof, and if you go back to kind
of some of the laws andregulations passed in the early
2000s, very specific to blendingmore US bioethanol, it's
because we don't want to rely onforeign entities for our liquid
fuels.
We want to have homegrownenergy, and so we're very proud
of that.
So if you talk about somethinglike energy security, that means
(06:45):
that hits home for us.
We're very proud that we are anAmerican industry, american
manufacturing Americanfeedstocks, and we want that to
be consumed in the US as well.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (06:58):
Very good points to be made.
I think that might be somerefreshing for some of the
listeners out there.
Now let's talk about this bigwin that just happened.
Let's provide some contextabout the recent waiver and what
it means for agriculture.
Emily, for those in the grainindustry who may not be so
closely tracking ethanol policy,can you briefly explain what
the recent E15 summertime waivermeans and why is it such a
(07:20):
significant milestone?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (07:22):
So let's start with why we should
care about E15, why it'sfantastic and every driver
should want to be putting E15 intheir gas tank.
Our cars and trucks they fuelwith a gasoline blend that's 10%
ethanol.
Today, most people don't evenknow that we would like
everybody to be using a 15%ethanol blend.
That is increasingly availableacross the country.
In 33 states it's typicallysold as unleaded 88.
(07:45):
And here's why a 15% ethanolblend is great.
First and foremost, if you'reusing more ethanol, you're
grinding and processing more UScorn, so we love it for that
reason.
But here's why the Americandriver should like it.
You will save 10 to 15 centsper gallon.
In some instances 30 cents agallon when you have spikes in
gas prices up to a dollar pergallon.
A dollar per gallon.
And this is a fuel thatactually cleans better and
(08:12):
cleaner in your engine.
So it's better for the engine.
It's an 88 octane instead of an87.
It's less expensive.
It's better for the environmentbecause it's cleaner burning.
It's good for the engine.
It's like the trifecta.
It's this great value fuel.
It probably wouldn't shock youto know that the only state in
the country that doesn't allowit to be sold right now is
California.
We're working on it, but youknow it is California, so that's
the upside of E15.
So what are we talking aboutthis waiver?
(08:32):
Well, 35 years ago, congresspassed a law in 1990.
And in that law they weretalking about clean air and fuel
emissions.
And this is before E15 evenexisted, so we hadn't
contemplated a 15% ethanol blend.
Because of the way the law waswritten 35 years ago, the
regulations are more stringenton E15 in the summer than a 10%
(08:54):
blend, even though E15 is betterfor the environment and better
savings.
So it's one of those situationswhere gee Washington thanks for
screwing up the marketplace,this bureaucratic red tape.
So because of that, epa since2022, has been issuing a
summertime waiver and everyspring they have to come out and
say we're going to waive theregulations, we're going to
allow the sales of E15.
And they've done that year overyear, and that's a good thing.
(09:18):
But this is kind of a Band-Aidapproach.
So we'll talk about what theultimate solution is.
But the good news for 2025 isthat, as everybody is hitting
the road for the summer familyroad trip that I'm going to do
with my family, we're going tobe able to fuel up with E15.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (09:32):
That's fantastic.
It's a big win.
You call this a win not justactually for biofuels, but you
also call this a win for all ofagriculture.
Can you unpack that a bit?
How does this decision rippleout to the farmers of
agriculture?
Can you unpack that a bit?
How does this decision rippleout to the farmers, to the grain
?
Emily Skor, Growth Ene (09:47):
handlers and beyond.
Well, if this is about drivingdemand for US agriculture, the
more ethanol that you blend, themore corn we will consume.
That we will have to processand handle and grind.
If every car in this countrythere are 270 million cars on
the road if we all drove on E15,that would be 2 billion bushels
of additional demand for UScorn.
That's a pretty phenomenaldemand driver.
(10:10):
Right there, that's 7 billiongallons of ethanol.
And, by the way, I should havesaid this before.
E15 is approved by EPA.
For every car made 2001 andnewer, that's 96% of the cars on
the road.
So we can use this.
We just need access to it.
That's why we need to changethe regulations, so we can
access this and not worry aboutit 12 months of the year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (10:31):
So this is exciting time, something else
I'd love to see if you couldaddress.
We are talking about emergenceof this processing industry, and
let's talk about the workforce.
What would this mean?
Having E15 go well beyond whatwe're talking about, temporary?
What does this mean long-termin terms of the workforce?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (10:50):
Well, let's talk about jobs creation.
If we drove on 15% ethanol inall the cars and trucks and
that's very doable that would bean additional 188,000 jobs that
we would be creating, and theseare well-paying jobs.
Say that one more time, please188,000 new jobs, and these are
(11:11):
American jobs, well-paying jobsthroughout rural communities,
urban and rural, because we'vegot to do logistics and
transport and all kinds ofthings.
But that's what's at stake,that's the opportunity, that's
what we can achieve here.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:24):
That is big.
That's got to be part of theconversations as well.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (11:28):
Yeah, it is, and in particular, with
this administration, because wehave to tie every policy ask
back to what does this do for USjobs creation, for US energy,
for US fuel prices?
Now, the good news for us is wehave great answers for all of
those concerns, and so we justhave to shout it from the
rooftops and we have to makesure our own industry
(11:50):
understands the potential sothat they can get motivated and
excited and galvanized.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:56):
So we've got this great opportunity right now
happening.
There's more work to do, but Iwant to know what role did
Growth Energy play in makingthis happen?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (12:05):
Well, you know, our job is to make
our members' voices heard.
At the end of the day, that'sour job.
I'm going to give credit to ourlawmakers and regulators and to
the administration andbipartisan support in Congress.
You know their understanding ofthe importance of A15, that's
what helped encourage this.
So I will give them creditbecause we couldn't do it
without them.
But really our job is toeducate, to advocate, to make
(12:29):
sure that lawmakers andregulators continue to have us
top of mind.
They get very busy, they getvery distracted, rightly so.
So we are constantly in theiroffices, building relationships,
sharing information with themon things like market impact.
What does this do for theAmerican farmer?
So that, as they are lookingfor opportunities and policies
that will help US manufacturing,that will help US jobs creation
(12:51):
, that will help rural economies, they understand E15 is what we
need and we can point them tothe exact policy changes that
they need to make to be able todo that.
So that's our job.
But here's what's great aboutthis particular policy
conversation we have reallybroad bipartisan support for the
reasons that I talked about.
It's hard to be opposed togiving drivers and consumers the
(13:13):
choice for a fuel where they'regoing to save money, it's going
to be better for the engine andyou're driving growth in the
rural economy.
Tell me who would possibly notbe supportive of that?
So we're proud and I will.
And I will say you know, one ofthe things that we did that's
really important with with thisadministration is the president
has a history on E15.
He we know how much he supportsAmerican farmers and his
(13:36):
fondness for American farmers.
So we worked with a team asthey came into office in the
transition, reminding them ofthe president's commitments.
He talked about E15specifically on the campaign
trail, reminding them of how ourindustry helps this
administration advance theiragenda and their goals.
And what did we see?
Day one, among the executiveorders, the president included
(13:58):
biofuels in his call for energydominance.
He included E15 specificallyand he forecasted I'm going to
be giving you guys a waiver thissummer.
That's never happened before.
We've never had anadministration day one that
recognized this industry and theimportance to the American
economy.
So that's a good start.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:17):
Absolutely so.
This isn't just about fuel,it's about rural prosperity.
Big impact there, consumerchoice, american innovation as
well.
Emily Skor, Growth E (14:26):
Absolutely .
That's the trifecta.
You said it right there ruralprosperity, consumer choice and
absolutely American innovation.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:35):
So let's talk about the fight for year-round
E15.
Clarify the policy path aheadand mobilize awareness.
This waiver is temporary, sowhat needs to happen to make
year-round E15 permanent?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (14:47):
We need a change in the law, and
only Congress can do that.
So EPA has done its job.
Thank you, president Trump,thank you, administrator Zeldin.
You issued the waiver for 2025.
But this is a Band-Aid approach, and the problem with that is
you have market uncertainty forconsumers, for fuel retailers
and for farmers.
And, yes, there's a history ofgetting the waiver, but we
(15:09):
always have to wait and advocateare we going to get it?
When are they going to announceit?
Well, that's not good forbuilding investments in
infrastructure, and so we needCongress to pass the law.
We've got really good momentum,but that's ultimately what we
have to do.
So now our attention has gonefrom EPA directly to the halls
of Congress.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (15:27):
And where do we stand with Congress today?
What are the key hurdles andopportunities?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (15:31):
here.
We have good opportunities andwe have some hurdles too.
Now the good news is we havebroad bipartisan support,
Republicans and Democrats in theHouse and the Senate.
They recognize this is a prettyeasy fix.
It's a bit of a no-brainer.
We should do this.
So we have bills have beenintroduced.
Our sponsors in the Senate,Senator Deb Fisher from Nebraska
(15:52):
and Tammy Duckworth fromIllinois, a Republican and a
Democrat working together.
We have Representative AdrianSmith from Nebraska and Angie
Craig from Minnesota, anotherRepublican and Democrat.
You know the Republicans andthe Democrats on biofuels policy
actually work together prettywell.
They've introduced legislation.
And here's the interesting thing.
I know this is a long time ago,the end of December, as
(16:16):
Congress was trying to pass acontinuing resolution and a
budget bill, a funding bill.
This E15 legislation was in thefirst compromise.
So we had gotten the politicalwill, we had gotten the
political compromise, theparties and the leadership to
agree.
Ultimately they passedsomething that was a little
skinnier and they were kickingsome stuff out, including us.
So we know there's an appetite.
(16:36):
We know there's a politicalwill.
What we need this year is, asCongress is contemplating these
really big bills like budget andtax code, that they find an
opportunity to just insert E-15into that, and that's what we're
actively talking about here inWashington.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (16:52):
It is such a big deal and work needs to
continue, so let's bring thisdown to those who work in.
I mean, the impact on the valuechain of the grain industry is
immense.
It's all in the line right now.
How can members in the grainindustry who may not think of
themselves as policy advocatesshow support for this effort?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (17:11):
Well, I would say you are the most
important voice.
What members of Congress, whatlawmakers?
They want to hear from theirconstituents.
They want to hear from the menand women in their districts and
in their states.
They hear from us and we talkto them.
But I would say, you know youcan go to my website,
growthenergyorg backslash E15now.
That's a portal where we allowyou to engage.
(17:33):
So I would encourage people togo there and you can send a
message to your member ofCongress, to your senator, about
why this is important for you,for your industry, for your
business.
You want to be able to growyour business.
E15 is how we're able to dothat for the economy.
So make your voice heard,because this administration is
responsive when it hearsdirectly from US agriculture and
(17:54):
the rural economy and the menand women who support those
industries, like grainprocessing and handling, and
talk to both sides.
We need Republicans andDemocrats, so it doesn't matter
who your elected official is.
They need to hear from you.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (18:06):
That's right.
So we've made major strides,but to make this permanent we
need Congress to step up andfinish the job, and those in the
grain industry.
There are opportunities toadvocate for themselves and for
the industry.
So I will leave a link that youjust described in the show
notes of this so people can gothere directly and make their
voices known.
Thank you for sharing that.
So let's talk about connectingthe dots.
(18:26):
We got demand corn and we gotthe grain industry.
Let's make a strong case forlisteners out there about market
impact.
From your perspective, how doesE15 expansion influence corn
demand and long-term grainmarkets?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (18:44):
There is a direct line between
blending more Americanbioethanol and increasing demand
for US grain 100%.
The more E15 we sell, thebigger the benefits to corn
growers and those throughout thevalue chain.
And it's critically importantthat we connect those dots in
Washington so that lawmakers, sothat Congress, understands if I
(19:06):
do this, this will.
It's not just a ripple effectlike, it's a straight line and
in particular at this moment intime when there is a lot of
uncertainty, when the ruraleconomy and the farm economy is
facing some pretty strongheadwinds, when we are looking
at some turbulence in terms ofUS trade, all the more reason
that we need to be looking forall right, how do we create US
demand for US agriculture?
(19:26):
And in our conversations and wehave members from all
throughout the bioeconomy, allthroughout the value chain and
the consensus is the fastest wayto drive demand for US grain is
going to be through more use ofUS ethanol.
There's a real consensus there.
I said it before but I'll say itagain Two billion bushel of US
corn.
That's what's at stake.
(19:47):
That's the opportunity here.
Find me any other marketopportunity that has that
potential.
There isn't one, not in theimmediate term here, and this is
something that we can containand control within the US.
We aren't reliant on foreigngovernments for this one.
We can do this just here withinthe US.
We have the capacity.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:04):
Yeah, what should grain and country
elevators and grain processorsbe watching for as demand shifts
?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (20:10):
Well, I mean talking to your
customers, talking to yourpartners in the value chain, so
you can anticipate, so you knowthe ebb and the flow in terms of
kind of fuel demand.
But I would say the bigopportunity is I won't say if
I'm going to say when whenCongress makes this change,
that's when we have theopportunity to see a potential
kind of hockey stick in terms ofdemand.
And that's what they should bewatching for is when Congress
(20:32):
makes that fix.
And they can help us do that bymaking sure their voice is
heard too.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:36):
Yeah, it's a move and a drive for growth,
stability, understanding ofmarkets ahead.
Such an important time rightnow.
Is there a role forcollaboration between biofuel
producers and the grain handlingsector going forward?
Emily Skor, Growth E (20:53):
Absolutely 100%, Because ultimately we're
all on the same team.
We want the same things.
We want more homegrown biofuelsin the fuel tank, we want more
income and prosperity forfarmers and rural communities.
And I will say we won't say howlong I've lived and worked in
Washington DC, We'll just sayit's been a while.
Jim, you get more when you worktogether.
(21:15):
Okay, we achieve policy success.
That's going to help themarkets.
When we are united and whenthere's a united voice and a
united chorus of voices, becausewe have to break through a lot
of noise.
And so when you can say I'vegot the farmers, I've got the
grain processors and handlers, Ihave the equipment
manufacturers, I have all of thecompanies that are going to be
providing technology to theethanol manufacturers, and I've
(21:36):
got labor too.
I've got rail and truck, whenwe are all asking for the same
thing, that's when we have thebest chance of being successful.
So we have to link armstogether on this one hope and
(22:01):
direction.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (22:01):
You've done that for sure already.
You've led growth energythrough major growth and
influence.
What leadership lessons standout to you from this journey?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (22:07):
The importance of unity.
We have to do this together Onthe big fights, the big moments
where we have been successfuland we've had good success with
Republican administrations andDemocratic administrations and
different composition of USCongress we are successful when
we are working together, when myorganization is working
alongside the National CornGrowers Association, when we can
(22:31):
demonstrate that what we'reasking for does indeed have a
ripple effect throughout thefarm economy economy.
So the importance of coalitionwork, the importance of
operating with professionalismand integrity, and I would say
you know success can be aself-fulfilling prophecy.
It's really important for us toproject confidence, especially
when you talk about somethinglike E15, right, Well, who's not
(22:52):
in favor of E15?
Of course you're going to besupportive of it.
You're going to save money,it's better for the engine we're
driving, US American jobs.
So it's important to beoptimistic and to be nimble in
this town, because things aren'tgoing to move in a linear path.
You have to be nimble.
But really we have had successon the biofuel side when we work
with our partners, our brothersand sisters and our stakeholder
(23:13):
partners, like you all.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (23:16):
Yeah, great words of wisdom there.
Appreciate that.
We appreciate you being veryhopeful and energized.
Your whole entire organization,this industry, as you said,
needs to work together and be apartner in support of each other
.
What message do you want toleave with those working every
day in the grain industry?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (23:35):
know.
Be active in your industryassociation.
Yours is the voice that mattersmost.
It's the voice that lawmakersand policymakers want to hear.
But you may not know how todeliver.
That that's okay.
You're not an expert in that weare.
That's where we tradeassociations come in.
Our job is to help organizeyour voice and your perspective
(23:56):
and articulate that andeffectively channel it at the
right moments to the rightpeople who are making decisions.
So be active in yourorganization and just understand
.
You are such an importantconstituency and the littlest
thing that you can do you can goto my website click, click,
click.
Send a message that counts whenthey hear from constituents, if
(24:16):
it's an email, a letter, aphone call, you sign on to a
petition all of those thingsmatter.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:21):
We could leave here, Emily, by providing a
place of action to learn more.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (24:26):
You know, I'll just give you.
I'll make it simple, I'll giveyou one link growthenergyorg
backslash E15 now, and that'sgoing to be the portal to be
able to be active in terms ofmaking your voice heard and
through that you'll have accessto more information and
statistics about how this isgoing to benefit American
drivers, the American economy.
What I want your listeners toknow more than anything is that
(24:47):
together we have a roadmap for astronger America.
I firmly believe this and I seethis play out Our goals, what
we need.
It doesn't change fromadministration to administration
.
How we engage with them willchange.
What part of our valueproposition we lead with.
That will change.
But biofuels deliver for theAmerican people, no matter who's
in power, and that's what wewere saying to ourselves as an
(25:09):
industry this fall when we werewaiting for the election
outcomes.
And that's true because you seebipartisan support for the
industry, because you've gotbipartisan support for the rural
economy and not leaving therural economy behind.
So I'm very excited about wherewe are and where we're going.
I really am.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (25:25):
It is an exciting time.
We are so grateful for you toshare the recent EPA decision,
what that means for the futureof ethanol, why it matters to
our industry and how agriculturecan unite to move policy
forward.
Thank you so much, emily, forbeing a guest on the Whole Grain
Show my pleasure.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (25:40):
This was forward.
Thank you so much, Emily, forbeing a guest on the Whole Grain
Show.
My pleasure, this was fun.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (25:43):
Thank you.
Thank you, Emily.
Thank you for sharing yourvision and for being a
relentless advocate foragriculture, energy independence
and rural prosperity.
It's clear that the work GrowthEnergy is doing is paving the
way for a more connected andsustainable future, and we're
grateful for your leadership Toour listeners.
(26:06):
E15 is more than a fuel.
It's an opportunity for farmers, for industry, for rural
America.
But to keep the momentum going,it's going to take action,
policy partnerships and peoplewho understand what's at stake.
I encourage you to share thisepisode with your teams.
And here's a reflectionquestion what role can you or
your organization play inadvocating for policies that
grow demand for the grain youhandle every day?
Let's keep the conversationgoing, because the future of
(26:29):
fuel is growing right in ourfields podcast app.
I encourage you to do so, asthe podcast episodes will drop
on your phone or your device assoon as it is released.
Plus, you can easily catch upon all past episodes.
Whole Grain is found on ApplePodcasts, Google Music, Spotify,
Amazon Music, Podbean, Pandoraand more.
(26:51):
The Whole Grain Show connectswith grain industry
professionals like yourself from88 countries from around the
world.
Be sure to share this episodeand the news of the Whole Grain
Show as an easy to access andeasy to share educational
resource with your network.
By doing so, it really helpsour industry communicate the
various perspectives that areout there by our guests, and by
sharing this with five otherpeople you know, you help grow
(27:13):
this industry.
One can also find the show onthe GEAPS website at www.
geaps.
jeepscom slash whole grain.
If you would like a topic topicaddressed on the show, or if
you'd like to leave a comment onwhat you think of the show, or
perhaps you'd like moreinformation on how the grain
elevator and processing societycan support you with education
and training needs, please reachout to me directly.
I'm Jim Lenz, Director of GlobalEducation and Training at GEAPS
(27:36):
.
My email is james@g eaps.
com, J-a--m-e-s.
At G-E-A-P-S dot com.
We look forward to connectingwith you.
To learn more about being amember of the Grain Elevator and
Processing Society.
Please visit www.
geaps.
com, G-E-A-P-S dot com.
Until next time, keep learning,keep innovating and keep moving
(27:56):
the industry forward.
Have yourself a great day andthanks for listening to the
Whole Grain Show.
This is the show where we bring you fresh
ideas, smart perspectives andforward-thinking leaders from
across the grain handling andprocessing industry.
Today's episode brings energy,literally and figuratively.
We're joined by one of the mostinfluential voices in
agriculture and energy policytoday, Emily Skor, CEO of Growth
Energy.
We're talking E15, ethanol andthe future of agriculture.
(00:28):
What's next, why it matters andhow you and Congress can help.
You'll want to share thisepisode with your colleagues in
greater grain industry network.
Stay tuned.
Hello and welcome to the show.
Welcome to the Whole GrainPodcast.
My name is Jim Lenz, your hostand producer of the show and the
(00:50):
director of global educationand training at GEAPS where the
mission of the Grain Elevatorand Processing Society is to
champion, connect and serve theglobal grain industry and our
members.
At GEAPS, we work to be theglobal community and thought
leader for the grain industry,which feeds and fuels the world.
Thanks for listening today andfor joining the network of
thousands of other grainhandling and processing
(01:11):
professionals from across theglobe taking strategic steps to
grow professionally.
The Whole Grain Show will giveyou the competitive advantage to
win at work so you can makemore of an impact.
We've got a powerhouse guestjoining us Emily Skor, CEO of
Growth Energy.
Skor has dramatically expandedGrowth Energy's influence,
footprint and membership, whichincludes the majority of US bio
(01:32):
refineries.
She has secured legislation andregulatory victories during
both the Trump and Bidenadministrations.
Under her leadership, GrowthEnergy has helped open new doors
for the ethanol industry,expanded access to cleaner
burning fuel and championedyear-round sales of E15, a move
with powerful implications forthe grain industry and corn
(01:53):
producers alike.
Emily Skor was recently namedone of Washington's most
influential people shapingpolicy in 2025 by Washington
Magazine.
We're going to explore what'snext for E15, why it matters to
grain industry professionals,and how policy and innovation
are reshaping our role infueling America's future.
Let's dive into theconversation.
(02:14):
All right, we have Emily Skor,CEO of Growth Energy, on the
show.
Emily, thank you for joining uson the Whole Grain Podcast.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (02:32):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited to be with you.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (02:35):
As are we on behalf of the GEAPS organization
and the board, we thank you somuch for joining us here today.
This is an exciting time andwe'll get into why that is, and
the future, I think, looksreally bright.
But there are some bighappenings that have just
occurred now and so I'd love tostart there.
But I think, just from a largeperspective, for those who may
be unfamiliar with the work ofGrowth Energy, can you share a
(02:56):
bit about Growth Energy and themission behind your work?
Emily Skor, Growth E (03:00):
Absolutely so.
We are an advocacy organization, no-transcript membership, from
(03:31):
16 different states in thecountry.
It's all US manufacturers andthe size of my member it ranges
from a company that is a singleplant that is owned by Farmer
Co-op and maybe they produce 40million gallons of ethanol a
year.
My biggest member is aprivately held company, POET.
They're based in Sioux Falls,South Dakota.
They have 34 biorefineries thatproduce 3 billion gallons of
(03:53):
bioethanol a year and everybodyin between Our members
collectively purchase 20% ofcorn grown in this country and a
little bit of the sorghum aswell.
So that's them on themanufacturing side.
But we really also representeverybody in the value chain.
So over 130 companies thatrange from enzyme producers to
carbon capture technologyproviders to one of our most
(04:15):
recent member additionsequipment manufacturers like
John Deere.
John Deere recently joinedGrowth Energy and I'm really
proud of that because of course,that's an American iconic brand
and it's a testament to theirbelief in the importance of what
ethanol will do for USagriculture.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (04:30):
Great summary.
You met recently with SecretaryRollins and you're busy working
and having great conversationsout there.
I would love for you to carrysome of those conversations over
to our Whole Grain listenersrepresenting the grain handling
and grain processing industry.
Can you tell them a little bitmore about some of the other
facts that are related to theethanol industry, the growth
(04:52):
we're seeing from production totransportation or anything else
you think would be high levelimpact?
That's going on.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (04:59):
So let me start with something that
we've been talking to theadministration a lot about.
The ethanol industry is auniquely American industry.
Our value chain starts andstops on US soil, and so we
don't need to import a lot to beable to manufacture our product
.
We use power and we useAmerican crops, and those are
the primary inputs.
(05:19):
So we're very proud of that,and that's particularly relevant
in today's conversation whenwe're focused on American energy
dominance and US manufacturing,jobs and so forth.
The origin of the industry wasabout building markets for US
farmers, finding markets for USgrain, and we consume about a
third of the corn grown in thiscountry, so it's a very
(05:40):
important marketplace for corngrowers and, of course, grain
handlers and processors.
Therefore, therefore, as well,70% of what we produce is
shipped via rail around thecountry.
It's very impressive in termsof the logistics.
We barge, we ship, we truck.
We export about 12% of theethanol that we produce.
The biggest trading partner isour neighbor to the north,
(06:02):
canada.
They have been our biggestpartner, and we're going to talk
about E15 today.
Well, canada is very keen onE15 as well, and you know what I
love our partner to the north,but I don't want them to beat us
to the punch.
We're the biggest producer ofbioethanol in the globe.
We should also be the biggestconsumer.
We should be very proud of that.
You know one other thing that Ithink people may or may not
know, but we employ moreveterans than any other sector
(06:25):
within energy.
It's something we're very proudof, and if you go back to kind
of some of the laws andregulations passed in the early
2000s, very specific to blendingmore US bioethanol, it's
because we don't want to rely onforeign entities for our liquid
fuels.
We want to have homegrownenergy, and so we're very proud
of that.
So if you talk about somethinglike energy security, that means
(06:45):
that hits home for us.
We're very proud that we are anAmerican industry, american
manufacturing Americanfeedstocks, and we want that to
be consumed in the US as well.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (06:58):
Very good points to be made.
I think that might be somerefreshing for some of the
listeners out there.
Now let's talk about this bigwin that just happened.
Let's provide some contextabout the recent waiver and what
it means for agriculture.
Emily, for those in the grainindustry who may not be so
closely tracking ethanol policy,can you briefly explain what
the recent E15 summertime waivermeans and why is it such a
(07:20):
significant milestone?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (07:22):
So let's start with why we should
care about E15, why it'sfantastic and every driver
should want to be putting E15 intheir gas tank.
Our cars and trucks they fuelwith a gasoline blend that's 10%
ethanol.
Today, most people don't evenknow that we would like
everybody to be using a 15%ethanol blend.
That is increasingly availableacross the country.
In 33 states it's typicallysold as unleaded 88.
(07:45):
And here's why a 15% ethanolblend is great.
First and foremost, if you'reusing more ethanol, you're
grinding and processing more UScorn, so we love it for that
reason.
But here's why the Americandriver should like it.
You will save 10 to 15 centsper gallon.
In some instances 30 cents agallon when you have spikes in
gas prices up to a dollar pergallon.
A dollar per gallon.
And this is a fuel thatactually cleans better and
(08:12):
cleaner in your engine.
So it's better for the engine.
It's an 88 octane instead of an87.
It's less expensive.
It's better for the environmentbecause it's cleaner burning.
It's good for the engine.
It's like the trifecta.
It's this great value fuel.
It probably wouldn't shock youto know that the only state in
the country that doesn't allowit to be sold right now is
California.
We're working on it, but youknow it is California, so that's
the upside of E15.
So what are we talking aboutthis waiver?
(08:32):
Well, 35 years ago, congresspassed a law in 1990.
And in that law they weretalking about clean air and fuel
emissions.
And this is before E15 evenexisted, so we hadn't
contemplated a 15% ethanol blend.
Because of the way the law waswritten 35 years ago, the
regulations are more stringenton E15 in the summer than a 10%
(08:54):
blend, even though E15 is betterfor the environment and better
savings.
So it's one of those situationswhere gee Washington thanks for
screwing up the marketplace,this bureaucratic red tape.
So because of that, epa since2022, has been issuing a
summertime waiver and everyspring they have to come out and
say we're going to waive theregulations, we're going to
allow the sales of E15.
And they've done that year overyear, and that's a good thing.
(09:18):
But this is kind of a Band-Aidapproach.
So we'll talk about what theultimate solution is.
But the good news for 2025 isthat, as everybody is hitting
the road for the summer familyroad trip that I'm going to do
with my family, we're going tobe able to fuel up with E15.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (09:32):
That's fantastic.
It's a big win.
You call this a win not justactually for biofuels, but you
also call this a win for all ofagriculture.
Can you unpack that a bit?
How does this decision rippleout to the farmers of
agriculture?
Can you unpack that a bit?
How does this decision rippleout to the farmers, to the grain
?
Emily Skor, Growth Ene (09:47):
handlers and beyond.
Well, if this is about drivingdemand for US agriculture, the
more ethanol that you blend, themore corn we will consume.
That we will have to processand handle and grind.
If every car in this countrythere are 270 million cars on
the road if we all drove on E15,that would be 2 billion bushels
of additional demand for UScorn.
That's a pretty phenomenaldemand driver.
(10:10):
Right there, that's 7 billiongallons of ethanol.
And, by the way, I should havesaid this before.
E15 is approved by EPA.
For every car made 2001 andnewer, that's 96% of the cars on
the road.
So we can use this.
We just need access to it.
That's why we need to changethe regulations, so we can
access this and not worry aboutit 12 months of the year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (10:31):
So this is exciting time, something else
I'd love to see if you couldaddress.
We are talking about emergenceof this processing industry, and
let's talk about the workforce.
What would this mean?
Having E15 go well beyond whatwe're talking about, temporary?
What does this mean long-termin terms of the workforce?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (10:50):
Well, let's talk about jobs creation.
If we drove on 15% ethanol inall the cars and trucks and
that's very doable that would bean additional 188,000 jobs that
we would be creating, and theseare well-paying jobs.
Say that one more time, please188,000 new jobs, and these are
(11:11):
American jobs, well-paying jobsthroughout rural communities,
urban and rural, because we'vegot to do logistics and
transport and all kinds ofthings.
But that's what's at stake,that's the opportunity, that's
what we can achieve here.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:24):
That is big.
That's got to be part of theconversations as well.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (11:28):
Yeah, it is, and in particular, with
this administration, because wehave to tie every policy ask
back to what does this do for USjobs creation, for US energy,
for US fuel prices?
Now, the good news for us is wehave great answers for all of
those concerns, and so we justhave to shout it from the
rooftops and we have to makesure our own industry
(11:50):
understands the potential sothat they can get motivated and
excited and galvanized.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:56):
So we've got this great opportunity right now
happening.
There's more work to do, but Iwant to know what role did
Growth Energy play in makingthis happen?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (12:05):
Well, you know, our job is to make
our members' voices heard.
At the end of the day, that'sour job.
I'm going to give credit to ourlawmakers and regulators and to
the administration andbipartisan support in Congress.
You know their understanding ofthe importance of A15, that's
what helped encourage this.
So I will give them creditbecause we couldn't do it
without them.
But really our job is toeducate, to advocate, to make
(12:29):
sure that lawmakers andregulators continue to have us
top of mind.
They get very busy, they getvery distracted, rightly so.
So we are constantly in theiroffices, building relationships,
sharing information with themon things like market impact.
What does this do for theAmerican farmer?
So that, as they are lookingfor opportunities and policies
that will help US manufacturing,that will help US jobs creation
(12:51):
, that will help rural economies, they understand E15 is what we
need and we can point them tothe exact policy changes that
they need to make to be able todo that.
So that's our job.
But here's what's great aboutthis particular policy
conversation we have reallybroad bipartisan support for the
reasons that I talked about.
It's hard to be opposed togiving drivers and consumers the
(13:13):
choice for a fuel where they'regoing to save money, it's going
to be better for the engine andyou're driving growth in the
rural economy.
Tell me who would possibly notbe supportive of that?
So we're proud and I will.
And I will say you know, one ofthe things that we did that's
really important with with thisadministration is the president
has a history on E15.
He we know how much he supportsAmerican farmers and his
(13:36):
fondness for American farmers.
So we worked with a team asthey came into office in the
transition, reminding them ofthe president's commitments.
He talked about E15specifically on the campaign
trail, reminding them of how ourindustry helps this
administration advance theiragenda and their goals.
And what did we see?
Day one, among the executiveorders, the president included
(13:58):
biofuels in his call for energydominance.
He included E15 specificallyand he forecasted I'm going to
be giving you guys a waiver thissummer.
That's never happened before.
We've never had anadministration day one that
recognized this industry and theimportance to the American
economy.
So that's a good start.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:17):
Absolutely so.
This isn't just about fuel,it's about rural prosperity.
Big impact there, consumerchoice, american innovation as
well.
Emily Skor, Growth E (14:26):
Absolutely .
That's the trifecta.
You said it right there ruralprosperity, consumer choice and
absolutely American innovation.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:35):
So let's talk about the fight for year-round
E15.
Clarify the policy path aheadand mobilize awareness.
This waiver is temporary, sowhat needs to happen to make
year-round E15 permanent?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (14:47):
We need a change in the law, and
only Congress can do that.
So EPA has done its job.
Thank you, president Trump,thank you, administrator Zeldin.
You issued the waiver for 2025.
But this is a Band-Aid approach, and the problem with that is
you have market uncertainty forconsumers, for fuel retailers
and for farmers.
And, yes, there's a history ofgetting the waiver, but we
(15:09):
always have to wait and advocateare we going to get it?
When are they going to announceit?
Well, that's not good forbuilding investments in
infrastructure, and so we needCongress to pass the law.
We've got really good momentum,but that's ultimately what we
have to do.
So now our attention has gonefrom EPA directly to the halls
of Congress.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (15:27):
And where do we stand with Congress today?
What are the key hurdles andopportunities?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (15:31):
here.
We have good opportunities andwe have some hurdles too.
Now the good news is we havebroad bipartisan support,
Republicans and Democrats in theHouse and the Senate.
They recognize this is a prettyeasy fix.
It's a bit of a no-brainer.
We should do this.
So we have bills have beenintroduced.
Our sponsors in the Senate,Senator Deb Fisher from Nebraska
(15:52):
and Tammy Duckworth fromIllinois, a Republican and a
Democrat working together.
We have Representative AdrianSmith from Nebraska and Angie
Craig from Minnesota, anotherRepublican and Democrat.
You know the Republicans andthe Democrats on biofuels policy
actually work together prettywell.
They've introduced legislation.
And here's the interesting thing.
I know this is a long time ago,the end of December, as
(16:16):
Congress was trying to pass acontinuing resolution and a
budget bill, a funding bill.
This E15 legislation was in thefirst compromise.
So we had gotten the politicalwill, we had gotten the
political compromise, theparties and the leadership to
agree.
Ultimately they passedsomething that was a little
skinnier and they were kickingsome stuff out, including us.
So we know there's an appetite.
(16:36):
We know there's a politicalwill.
What we need this year is, asCongress is contemplating these
really big bills like budget andtax code, that they find an
opportunity to just insert E-15into that, and that's what we're
actively talking about here inWashington.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (16:52):
It is such a big deal and work needs to
continue, so let's bring thisdown to those who work in.
I mean, the impact on the valuechain of the grain industry is
immense.
It's all in the line right now.
How can members in the grainindustry who may not think of
themselves as policy advocatesshow support for this effort?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (17:11):
Well, I would say you are the most
important voice.
What members of Congress, whatlawmakers?
They want to hear from theirconstituents.
They want to hear from the menand women in their districts and
in their states.
They hear from us and we talkto them.
But I would say, you know youcan go to my website,
growthenergyorg backslash E15now.
That's a portal where we allowyou to engage.
(17:33):
So I would encourage people togo there and you can send a
message to your member ofCongress, to your senator, about
why this is important for you,for your industry, for your
business.
You want to be able to growyour business.
E15 is how we're able to dothat for the economy.
So make your voice heard,because this administration is
responsive when it hearsdirectly from US agriculture and
(17:54):
the rural economy and the menand women who support those
industries, like grainprocessing and handling, and
talk to both sides.
We need Republicans andDemocrats, so it doesn't matter
who your elected official is.
They need to hear from you.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (18:06):
That's right.
So we've made major strides,but to make this permanent we
need Congress to step up andfinish the job, and those in the
grain industry.
There are opportunities toadvocate for themselves and for
the industry.
So I will leave a link that youjust described in the show
notes of this so people can gothere directly and make their
voices known.
Thank you for sharing that.
So let's talk about connectingthe dots.
(18:26):
We got demand corn and we gotthe grain industry.
Let's make a strong case forlisteners out there about market
impact.
From your perspective, how doesE15 expansion influence corn
demand and long-term grainmarkets?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (18:44):
There is a direct line between
blending more Americanbioethanol and increasing demand
for US grain 100%.
The more E15 we sell, thebigger the benefits to corn
growers and those throughout thevalue chain.
And it's critically importantthat we connect those dots in
Washington so that lawmakers, sothat Congress, understands if I
(19:06):
do this, this will.
It's not just a ripple effectlike, it's a straight line and
in particular at this moment intime when there is a lot of
uncertainty, when the ruraleconomy and the farm economy is
facing some pretty strongheadwinds, when we are looking
at some turbulence in terms ofUS trade, all the more reason
that we need to be looking forall right, how do we create US
demand for US agriculture?
(19:26):
And in our conversations and wehave members from all
throughout the bioeconomy, allthroughout the value chain and
the consensus is the fastest wayto drive demand for US grain is
going to be through more use ofUS ethanol.
There's a real consensus there.
I said it before but I'll say itagain Two billion bushel of US
corn.
That's what's at stake.
(19:47):
That's the opportunity here.
Find me any other marketopportunity that has that
potential.
There isn't one, not in theimmediate term here, and this is
something that we can containand control within the US.
We aren't reliant on foreigngovernments for this one.
We can do this just here withinthe US.
We have the capacity.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:04):
Yeah, what should grain and country
elevators and grain processorsbe watching for as demand shifts
?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (20:10):
Well, I mean talking to your
customers, talking to yourpartners in the value chain, so
you can anticipate, so you knowthe ebb and the flow in terms of
kind of fuel demand.
But I would say the bigopportunity is I won't say if
I'm going to say when whenCongress makes this change,
that's when we have theopportunity to see a potential
kind of hockey stick in terms ofdemand.
And that's what they should bewatching for is when Congress
(20:32):
makes that fix.
And they can help us do that bymaking sure their voice is
heard too.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:36):
Yeah, it's a move and a drive for growth,
stability, understanding ofmarkets ahead.
Such an important time rightnow.
Is there a role forcollaboration between biofuel
producers and the grain handlingsector going forward?
Emily Skor, Growth E (20:53):
Absolutely 100%, Because ultimately we're
all on the same team.
We want the same things.
We want more homegrown biofuelsin the fuel tank, we want more
income and prosperity forfarmers and rural communities.
And I will say we won't say howlong I've lived and worked in
Washington DC, We'll just sayit's been a while.
Jim, you get more when you worktogether.
(21:15):
Okay, we achieve policy success.
That's going to help themarkets.
When we are united and whenthere's a united voice and a
united chorus of voices, becausewe have to break through a lot
of noise.
And so when you can say I'vegot the farmers, I've got the
grain processors and handlers, Ihave the equipment
manufacturers, I have all of thecompanies that are going to be
providing technology to theethanol manufacturers, and I've
(21:36):
got labor too.
I've got rail and truck, whenwe are all asking for the same
thing, that's when we have thebest chance of being successful.
So we have to link armstogether on this one hope and
(22:01):
direction.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (22:01):
You've done that for sure already.
You've led growth energythrough major growth and
influence.
What leadership lessons standout to you from this journey?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (22:07):
The importance of unity.
We have to do this together Onthe big fights, the big moments
where we have been successfuland we've had good success with
Republican administrations andDemocratic administrations and
different composition of USCongress we are successful when
we are working together, when myorganization is working
alongside the National CornGrowers Association, when we can
(22:31):
demonstrate that what we'reasking for does indeed have a
ripple effect throughout thefarm economy economy.
So the importance of coalitionwork, the importance of
operating with professionalismand integrity, and I would say
you know success can be aself-fulfilling prophecy.
It's really important for us toproject confidence, especially
when you talk about somethinglike E15, right, Well, who's not
(22:52):
in favor of E15?
Of course you're going to besupportive of it.
You're going to save money,it's better for the engine we're
driving, US American jobs.
So it's important to beoptimistic and to be nimble in
this town, because things aren'tgoing to move in a linear path.
You have to be nimble.
But really we have had successon the biofuel side when we work
with our partners, our brothersand sisters and our stakeholder
(23:13):
partners, like you all.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (23:16):
Yeah, great words of wisdom there.
Appreciate that.
We appreciate you being veryhopeful and energized.
Your whole entire organization,this industry, as you said,
needs to work together and be apartner in support of each other
.
What message do you want toleave with those working every
day in the grain industry?
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (23:35):
know.
Be active in your industryassociation.
Yours is the voice that mattersmost.
It's the voice that lawmakersand policymakers want to hear.
But you may not know how todeliver.
That that's okay.
You're not an expert in that weare.
That's where we tradeassociations come in.
Our job is to help organizeyour voice and your perspective
(23:56):
and articulate that andeffectively channel it at the
right moments to the rightpeople who are making decisions.
So be active in yourorganization and just understand
.
You are such an importantconstituency and the littlest
thing that you can do you can goto my website click, click,
click.
Send a message that counts whenthey hear from constituents, if
(24:16):
it's an email, a letter, aphone call, you sign on to a
petition all of those thingsmatter.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:21):
We could leave here, Emily, by providing a
place of action to learn more.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (24:26):
You know, I'll just give you.
I'll make it simple, I'll giveyou one link growthenergyorg
backslash E15 now, and that'sgoing to be the portal to be
able to be active in terms ofmaking your voice heard and
through that you'll have accessto more information and
statistics about how this isgoing to benefit American
drivers, the American economy.
What I want your listeners toknow more than anything is that
(24:47):
together we have a roadmap for astronger America.
I firmly believe this and I seethis play out Our goals, what
we need.
It doesn't change fromadministration to administration
.
How we engage with them willchange.
What part of our valueproposition we lead with.
That will change.
But biofuels deliver for theAmerican people, no matter who's
in power, and that's what wewere saying to ourselves as an
(25:09):
industry this fall when we werewaiting for the election
outcomes.
And that's true because you seebipartisan support for the
industry, because you've gotbipartisan support for the rural
economy and not leaving therural economy behind.
So I'm very excited about wherewe are and where we're going.
I really am.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (25:25):
It is an exciting time.
We are so grateful for you toshare the recent EPA decision,
what that means for the futureof ethanol, why it matters to
our industry and how agriculturecan unite to move policy
forward.
Thank you so much, emily, forbeing a guest on the Whole Grain
Show my pleasure.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy (25:40):
This was forward.
Thank you so much, Emily, forbeing a guest on the Whole Grain
Show.
My pleasure, this was fun.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (25:43):
Thank you.
Thank you, Emily.
Thank you for sharing yourvision and for being a
relentless advocate foragriculture, energy independence
and rural prosperity.
It's clear that the work GrowthEnergy is doing is paving the
way for a more connected andsustainable future, and we're
grateful for your leadership Toour listeners.
(26:06):
E15 is more than a fuel.
It's an opportunity for farmers, for industry, for rural
America.
But to keep the momentum going,it's going to take action,
policy partnerships and peoplewho understand what's at stake.
I encourage you to share thisepisode with your teams.
And here's a reflectionquestion what role can you or
your organization play inadvocating for policies that
grow demand for the grain youhandle every day?
Let's keep the conversationgoing, because the future of
(26:29):
fuel is growing right in ourfields podcast app.
I encourage you to do so, asthe podcast episodes will drop
on your phone or your device assoon as it is released.
Plus, you can easily catch upon all past episodes.
Whole Grain is found on ApplePodcasts, Google Music, Spotify,
Amazon Music, Podbean, Pandoraand more.
(26:51):
The Whole Grain Show connectswith grain industry
professionals like yourself from88 countries from around the
world.
Be sure to share this episodeand the news of the Whole Grain
Show as an easy to access andeasy to share educational
resource with your network.
By doing so, it really helpsour industry communicate the
various perspectives that areout there by our guests, and by
sharing this with five otherpeople you know, you help grow
(27:13):
this industry.
One can also find the show onthe GEAPS website at www.
geaps.
jeepscom slash whole grain.
If you would like a topic topicaddressed on the show, or if
you'd like to leave a comment onwhat you think of the show, or
perhaps you'd like moreinformation on how the grain
elevator and processing societycan support you with education
and training needs, please reachout to me directly.
I'm Jim Lenz, Director of GlobalEducation and Training at GEAPS
(27:36):
.
My email is james@g eaps.
com, J-a--m-e-s.
At G-E-A-P-S dot com.
We look forward to connectingwith you.
To learn more about being amember of the Grain Elevator and
Processing Society.
Please visit www.
geaps.
com, G-E-A-P-S dot com.
Until next time, keep learning,keep innovating and keep moving
(27:56):
the industry forward.
Have yourself a great day andthanks for listening to the
Whole Grain Show.
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