Sep 27, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced bipartisan legislation to make year-round access to E15 permanent nationwide – expanding market access for Minnesota farmers and lowering costs for drivers at the gas pump.
The bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act is the latest step in Rep. Craig’s efforts to increase investment in domestic biofuels production. In Congress, Rep. Craig has worked across the aisle for years to promote homegrown biofuels and stood up to the Biden Administration when they missed the mark on new sustainable aviation fuel guidance earlier this year.
“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.”
Rep. Craig introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act alongside a bipartisan coalition of House Members – U.S. Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-IA).
U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“The Minnesota Biofuels Association applauds Rep. Craig for introducing bipartisan legislation to provide permanent year-round access for E15 nationwide. The EPA shouldn’t have to issue annual emergency waivers for a fuel that results in fewer evaporative emissions, lower costs at the pump, and added economic value for farmers. We appreciate the Congresswoman’s work to deliver long-term regulatory certainty for this critical Minnesota-made renewable fuel,” said Brian Werner, Executive Director of the Minnesota Biofuels Association.
“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,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “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.”
“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 Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “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 Craig (D-Minn), Representative Smith (R-Neb.), 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."
Click here to read the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.
Read the original press release here.