Feb 27, 2024
By U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad
Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the long-overdue decision to allow the year-round sale of higher ethanol blends, such as E15. The good news: the summertime ban on sales of E15 will be lifted in Minnesota, along with 7 other Midwestern states. Unfortunately, due to the Biden Administration dragging their feet, farmers, families, and fuel retailers won’t be able to take advantage of its availability until summer 2025.
According to a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota, the ethanol industry is a driver for Minnesota’s economy, generating over $6.6 billion in economic activity, and supporting over 200,000 jobs. As many of us in Minnesota know, American-produced ethanol and biofuels like E15 are a more efficient, cost-effective, and cleaner source of energy and promotes competition for businesses.
Last week’s decision by EPA comes nearly two years since eight governors first asked the Biden Administration to open the door for the year-round sale of these fuel options in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The administration ignored that request and allowed the 90-day statutory deadline to pass. In response to their inaction, I led my colleagues in writing not one – but two letters requesting that the EPA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) act on the request made by the Midwest governors in April of 2022.
In true bureaucratic fashion, it took over 650 days for the EPA to issue a decision regarding the initial request. Due to their inaction, the EPA is delaying the year-round sale of E15 to 2025 – leaving the American people to shoulder the burden of their irresponsibility.
While I’m happy to see a favorable outcome, the decision to delay until 2025 continues to be a disruption for our farmers, producers, and families at the pump.
Minnesota families depend on biofuels like E15 as a low-cost fuel option. Amidst growing inflation and rising gas prices, the White House could lower gas prices immediately by making E15 available for the 2024 summer driving season – yet the administration seems intent on prolonging the strain on family pocketbooks.
To the Minnesotans I represent, E15 is a no-brainer. American-produced ethanol creates jobs, generates markets for agricultural products, and lowers the price at the pump for consumers. The fact that this Administration took nearly two years to come to this conclusion speaks volumes about its misaligned policies on domestic energy production.
In Congress, I will always work toward sensible solutions that lower gas prices while helping to end our reliance on foreign countries for our energy needs, which is why I’ve proudly supported proposals like the Fuel Choice Retailer Act and the Next Generation Fuels Act.
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