Ethanol Blog

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday to allow for permanent E15 sales nationally.

Presidential administrations for years have been granting temporary waivers to allow for summer sales of E15. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted the petitions of eight Midwest states to allow for permanent E15 sales in their states, although the agency delayed implementation of those requests to next year.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, members from Midwest states introduced the "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act." That was introduced by Reps. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Sharice Davids, D-Kansas.

On the Senate side, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, introduced Senate Bill 2707 previously. The Senate bill has 14 co-sponsors and the House bill includes 28 co-sponsors.

Fischer said in a statement that she believes the legislation will become law.

"E15 supports our farmers, is cleaner for the environment, and lowers the price of gas," she said.

"Our bipartisan legislation is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleashing the power of year-round E15. It's why we've been able to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders from the oil/gas, biofuel, ag, and transportation sectors to support our legislation. I am confident that a path forward exists in both the Senate and the House and look forward to working with Congressman (Adrian, Nebraska) Smith to ensure our bill becomes law."

The legislation is supported by a wide range of agriculture and biofuels groups.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said legislation is needed to provide consumers with the ability to choose E15 across the country.

"While the Biden administration granted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' request for year-round E15 to take effect in 2025 in eight Midwest states, consumers deserve a year-round nationwide affordable option at the pump," he said in a statement.

"We can use Iowa and these other seven Midwest states as a steppingstone to achieve nationwide E15, especially as consumers continue to demand a fuel that is the cleaner-burning, cost-effective option. It would also be a key demand driver for ethanol at a time when corn prices are generally below the cost of production for our farmers."

Renewable Fuels Nebraska Executive Director Dawn Caldwell said in a statement that making E15 available across the country would benefit farmers and consumers.

"Drivers across Nebraska deserve year-round access to E-15 fuel and thankfully, Rep. Smith is answering that call," she said.

"Families nationwide will benefit from the lower prices and lower emissions it will bring and hardworking ethanol producers here in Nebraska will gain the certainty they deserve when filling that demand."

Chris Grams, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, said providing year-round E15 access was "a practical step in saving money for consumers, reducing emissions for our environment."

Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, said lawmakers should act on the bills soon.

"With just a few months left in this Congress, we urge lawmakers to swiftly adopt this bill and deliver a win for American families seeking cleaner, lower-cost fuel options," he said.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said the bills would "finally fix the outdated law that threatens to take E15" off the market. Skor said that during the past six summers "hardworking families across America have enjoyed big summer savings on E15 ranging from 10 to 30 cents per gallon, with some locations selling the fuel for more than $1 less per gallon."

In 2023 and continuing through 2024, the Renewable Fuels Association and the American Petroleum Institute assembled a coalition of energy and agriculture organizations that called on Congress to adopt legislation to permanently resolve what they said were inconsistent fuel volatility regulations.

The RFA estimates that nearly 97% of registered vehicles on the road are legally approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use E15 and the vast majority also carry the manufacturer's endorsement to use E15.

Read more on DTN:

"E15 Year-Round Waiver Granted," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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