USA : Smith introduces bill to enable year-round sales of E15
Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) introduced the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act on Sept. 27, enabling year-round E15 sales. The bill aims to extend the Reid vapor pressure waiver to allow nationwide sales of gasoline blends with up to 15% ethanol. Supporters believe it will boost the U.S. fuel market, benefit agricultural producers, and provide consumers with cleaner, cost-effective fuel options. A companion bill was introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer in July 2023.
Reps. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., Angie Craig, D-Minn., and more than 30 of their colleagues on Sept. 27 introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The bill aims to enable year-round sales of E15 nationwide.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to gasoline blends containing up to 15% ethanol. The regulatory change would allow E15 to be sold year-round across the country.
“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,” Smith said. “Since I first introduced similar legislation, I have been pushing EPA to allow the uninterrupted sale of E15. Flexibility and greater consumer choice strengthens the U.S. fuel market, and Nebraska’s farmers have the capacity to meet demand. 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.”
“Homegrown biofuels are tools we have right now to address climate change, strengthen our nation’s energy infrastructure and lower costs for Americans at the gas pump,” Craig said. “This bill is the kind of commonsense legislation we need more of in Washington and I’m proud to be a part of the bipartisan coalition fighting for year-round E15 in the House.”
In addition to Smith and Craig, the bill is cosponsored by Reps. Darin LaHood, R-Ill.; Eric Sorensen, D-Ill.; Mike Flood, R-Neb.; Sam Graves, R-Mo.; Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Dan Kildee, D-Mich.; Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; Mary Miller, R-Ill.; Mark Alford, R-Mo.; Jake LaTurner, R-Kan.; Ron Estes, R-Kan.; Greg Landsman, D-Ohio; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Mike Carey, R-Ohio; Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn.; Greg Pence, R-Ind.; Max Miller, R-Ohio; Tracey Mann, R-Kan.; Ann Wagner, R-Mo.; Robin Kelly, D-Ill.; Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Zach Nunn, R-Iowa; Michael Guest, R-Miss.; Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo.; Buddy Carter, R-Ga.; and Jason Smith, R-Mo.
The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed the introduction of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. “This bipartisan legislation would finally bring nationwide consistency and stability to the marketplace and eliminate the need for last-minute emergency waivers,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “Ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel retailers, equipment manufacturers, farmers, and consumers have all rallied behind this commonsense approach. We thank Reps. Adrian Smith, Craig, Miller Meeks, Budzinski, Johnson and Davids, and their fellow renewable fuel supporters in the House for continuing to fight for fair market access for our nation’s farmers and ethanol producers. 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.”
The American Coalition for Ethanol also applauded the legislation. “We’re grateful to bipartisan leaders in the House for introducing this critically important legislation which would once and for all ensure nationwide and permanent E15 availability,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of ACE. “This bipartisan House companion legislation demonstrates support for year-round E15 is growing in Congress. We will continue working with our Senate and House supporters to push for enactment of this legislation.”
Growth Energy noted the bill would help save consumers money. “E15 is one of the best ways to lower costs for consumers while also reducing our carbon emissions,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “For 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 a dollar less per gallon.But over the last three summers, those savings were only possible thanks to last-minute intervention by EPA. This bill will finally fix the outdated law that threatens to take E15 off the market when consumers need it most during the busy summer driving season.
“We thank Representative Smith (R-Neb.), Representative Craig (D-Minn), and the bipartisan group of cosponsors for their leadership to ensure we preserve consumer access to lower-carbon, more-affordable fuel options nationwide all year round,” Skor continued. “With bipartisan bills now introduced in both chambers of Congress, this is our chance to finally get this commonsense legislation across the finish line.”
Source Link : https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/smith-introduces-bill-to-enable-year-round-sales-of-e15
