Smith, Craig, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Codify Year-Round E15

Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) along with Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends up to 15 percent. Smith, Craig, and Johnson are co-chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus.

The bill is the House companion to the Senate bill S. 2707 introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE).

"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," said Rep. Smith. "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," said Rep. Craig. "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."

"E15 supports our farmers, is cleaner for the environment, and lowers the price of gas. 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 Smith to ensure our bill becomes law," said Sen. Fischer.

"Securing year-round availability of E15 would provide certainty to the fuel sector, improve the production and supply of American-made fuel, and help drive down the prices at the pump," said Rep. Johnson. "I am proud to help lead this effort and will continue working to get year-round E15 signed into law."

"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," said Rep. Nikki Budzinski. "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. Producers and consumers need more certainty and I’m confident that this legislation can take us across the finish line to secure year-round E-15."

"The EPA’s temporary waivers allowing the sale of E15 in the summer are not a viable long-term solution for Iowa’s energy leadership," said Rep. Miller-Meeks. "This legislation will allow for permanent, nationwide sales of E15 which will lower costs for Americans at the gas pump, reduce emissions, and put an end to fuel supply disruptions. I urge the House and Senate to pass our bipartisan bill to unleash our domestic energy potential."

"I'm proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill that would enable permanent, nationwide sales of E15, helping families save at the gas pump while supporting our agricultural community and enhancing our nation's energy security. This is how Congress should function: both parties coming together to address the most pressing challenges facing everyday folks," said Rep. Davids.

In the House, additional cosponsors of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act include Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Mike Flood (R-NE), Sam Graves (R-MO), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Mary Miller (R-IL), Mark Alford (R-MO), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Ron Estes (R-KS), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Greg Pence (R-IN), Max Miller (R-OH), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Robin Kelly ( D-IL), Mike Bost (R-IL), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Michael Guest (R-MS), Don Bacon (R-NE), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), and Buddy Carter (R-GA).

Sen. Fischer’s Senate companion to the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Thune (R-SD), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Dick Durbin (D-IL).

BACKGROUND:

In Congress, Rep. Smith has long championed the issue of year-round availability of E15. This past year, he pushed the administration to extend the availability of E15 during the summer to provide American consumers with access to an affordable biofuel alternative at their local gas station.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act has broad support from stakeholders. Below are statements in support of the bipartisan legislation:

"Drivers across Nebraska deserve year-round access to E-15 fuel — and thankfully, Representative Smith is answering that call. 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. We appreciate Representative Smith and his colleagues for taking up this bill in the House, and we call on every member of Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation in both chambers as soon as possible," said Renewable Fuels Nebraska Executive Director Dawn Caldwell.

"Providing for year-round access to E15 is a practical step in saving money for consumers, reducing emissions for our environment and is approved for 95% of the vehicles on the road today," said Chris Grams, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. "We deeply value and appreciate the continual leadership of Representative Smith in his efforts to introduce this much needed approach to advance the use of ethanol across the United States. Year-round E15 creates a positive impact and develops demand for farmers locally, statewide and nationally."

"We thank our renewable fuel supporters in the House for introducing this bipartisan legislation and continuing to fight for fair market access for E15 and 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," said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

"E15 is one of the best ways to lower costs for consumers while also reducing our carbon emissions. 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," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "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. With bipartisan bills now introduced in both chambers of Congress, this is our chance to finally get this commonsense legislation across the finish line."