Congress pushes again for year-round E15

New House bill boasts more than 30 co-sponsors.

Joshua Baethge, Policy editor

September 30, 2024

3 Min Read
Fuel pump handle and corn
Getty Images/JJ Gouin

Lawmakers are once again pushing to expand E15 sales. On Friday, a bipartisan group of House Representatives, led by Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Angie Craig, D-Minn., introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

They were joined by Reps. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, Sharice Davids, D-Kan, and 30 additional co-sponsors. Their legislation would allow year-round sales of ethanol blends up to 15% nationwide. It’s a companion bill to Senate legislation previously intruded by Sen. Deb Fischer.

Rep. Smith has led past efforts to expand E15 sales. He says at a time when agricultural producers are struggling, uncertainty in the energy market is looming, and consumers are paying more at the pumps, the United States cannot afford to leave any opportunity to boost energy production on the table.

“Flexibility and greater consumer choice strengthens the U.S. fuel market, and Nebraska's farmers have the capacity to meet demand,” Smith says. “I thank Rep. Craig, Sen. Fischer, and my House colleagues for their cooperation to unlock this sustainable fuel source and provide relief for hard-working Americans at the fuel pump.”

Current regulations prohibit sales of E15 in summer months due to concerns over increased air pollution. Ethanol advocates say more recent data shows those concerns are overblown.

Related:Buhler opens Grain Innovation Center in Switzerland

Over the past few years, the Biden administration has issued “emergency” waivers allowing summer sales. Still, according to ethanol supporters, the uncertainty created by last-minute waivers hinders the industry’s ability to grow. Refiners also say they need more certainty regarding which gasoline blends they can produce during the year.

Earlier this year, a group of Midwestern state governors successfully petitioned the EPA to allow year-round E15 in their states. However, much to their chagrin, the new rules do not go into effect until next year. The rules are also only applicable to their states.

According to Rep. Budzinski, producers and consumers need more certainty. She’s confident this latest legislation will finally provide that.

“Higher blends of biofuels help folks save money at the gas pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, cut carbon emissions and support critical markets for Illinois family farmers,” Budzinski says. “I’m proud to represent one of our nation’s top corn-producing regions and to champion biofuels production on behalf of my constituents - including as a co-lead of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Related:A rapid ending to El Niño underway; La Niña development may lead to expanding heat

Industry groups praise bill

Unsurprisingly, trade groups along the ethanol supply chain applauded the proposed legislation. National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle says the current status of E15 leaves corn growers a great deal of uncertainty. He contends that uncertainty contributes to higher summer gas prices.

“This legislation would remove needless limits on the sale of ethanol, particularly during the summer months, helping us further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut prices at the pump while helping corn growers by providing a steady market for ethanol,” he says

Those sentiments were echoed by the American Coalition for Ethanol. CEO Brian Jennings called the bill “critically important legislation.” He vowed to continue working with Congressional supporters and ensure the bill passes.

Renewable Fuels Association President Geoff Cooper also concurred, adding that ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel retailers, equipment manufacturers, farmers and consumers have all rallied behind what he calls a “commonsense approach.”

While there does seem to be growing support for year-round E15, the clock is ticking for Congress to get work done. Lawmakers will be away from Washington through mid-November. When they return, they will only have a few weeks to avert a government shutdown, pass a new farm bill, and broker a new National Defense Authorization Act. Whether year-round E15 will also be on their agenda remains an open question.

Related:Technology adoption: What's on the ag tech horizon for 2025

If the bills aren’t passed this year, lawmakers will have to start over and introduce new legislation in next year’s Congressional session.

About the Author

Joshua Baethge

Policy editor, Farm Progress

Joshua Baethge covers a wide range of government issues affecting agriculture. Before joining Farm Progress, he spent 10 years as a news and feature reporter in Texas. During that time, he covered multiple state and local government entities, while also writing about real estate, nightlife, culture and whatever else was the news of the day.

Baethge earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas. In his free time, he enjoys going to concerts, discovering new restaurants, finding excuses to be outside and traveling as much as possible. He is based in the Dallas area where he lives with his wife and two kids.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Feedstuffs is the news source for animal agriculture

You May Also Like