The annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit was held from September 9–12, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Biofuels Summit provides an opportunity for industry stakeholders to gather to network, learn about important policy matters, and engage with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the importance of our industry to agriculture and rural communities.
Each year, the Summit kicks off with a general session on day one. Growth Energy provides programming connecting attendees with leaders from the industry, Congress, and agencies that impact policy-making decisions. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack were among the presenters during this year's general session, giving attendees firsthand exposure to key decision makers on Capitol Hill. The next day and a half are dedicated to meetings on the Hill, where Summit attendees have the opportunity to convene with legislators and their staffers face-to-face.
Four POET team members who are also POET PAC contributors — Jerry Wharton, Paulette Anderson, Lisa Thimmesch, and Justen Wittnebel — were among the attendees for this year’s Biofuels Summit. This event was a first for all four, so I took the opportunity to ask them a few questions about their experience.
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POET team members met with U.S. Congressional members
What did you find most impactful about attending the Growth Energy Biofuels Summit?
Lisa: Both the general session and the Hill meetings were equally impactful to me. I learned so much from the first day of the sessions, which enabled me to be confident at the Hill meetings and to speak knowledgeably along with the rest of my team. I was also blown away by the caliber and number of speakers that participated in the event.
Jerry: I think that sometimes people can start to feel like the people that represent them in the government don’t care about them or are apathetic — only caring about what is going to get them re-elected. Being there helps you to really see that most of that perception really boils down to exposure and education. It was striking to get to see firsthand how important it is for the POET Government Affairs Team to be able to do the work they do in D.C. and connect our representatives to the issues we care about. It reinforced why I contribute to POET PAC.
Did the trip impact the way you think about policy in relation to the work we do at POET?
Justin: Yes, it really did. I was surprised at the relationships that our POET Government Affairs Team has developed with many members of Congress. It was clear that you weren’t strangers and that the members clearly understood and supported policies that are important to the industry. To me, it really confirmed my support for POET PAC. Our policy team does a great job, and I’m happy to keep making the bioethanol and let you all do what you do!
Paulette: I saw firsthand how important it is to keep having these conversations about the importance of bioethanol. We have great biofuel champions, but there are a lot of members and staffers who still don’t know a lot about our industry.
Lisa: Absolutely! E15 is especially relevant to my position as a terminal planner in the southeast.
Jerry: It strengthened the ideals that I’ve held since I first got interested and excited about working for POET.
Would you recommend that others attend the Biofuels Summit?
Jerry: Absolutely recommend, it is an extremely rewarding experience.
Lisa: Already done. I’ve spoken to fellow team members about the benefits of attending, both from an informational standpoint and from the opportunity to engage with our lawmakers on these important issues.
Justin: I absolutely would recommend it. It was an eye-opening experience. It’s a lot to take in while you’re doing it, but it’s all worth it in the end. I would do it again.
Paulette: This was truly an experience of a lifetime. If you ever get the opportunity, you have to go!
HOW DO I JOIN?
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