She said the following in a letter today to Alexandria's Osakis Review:
Agriculture is an issue that commonly joins all political parties for the benefit of all Minnesotans. It's why I am glad to see some of our Minnesota delegation supporting a bipartisan solution in Congress that could help bring certainty and stability to a key part of our energy infrastructure — cleaner, greener American-made biofuels like ethanol.
I am an advocate for ethanol, as my March letter to the editor made clear, ethanol should have its chance to fully compete in the fuel marketplace. Cleaner American made fuel is the way forward. Lucky for us in Minnesota, we already have E15 and E85 distributors spread across the state.
These higher biofuel blends reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the price at the pump. Not to mention that ethanol is already present in 97 percent of all U.S. gasoline, typically sold as 10 percent ethanol blend. On top of that, E15 is fit for nine out of 10 vehicles on the road today!
Unfortunately, due to an antiquated regulation, retailers across the country are not allowed to sell environmentally-friendly E15 during the summer months. This bill will fix this error. Let's allow Minnesotans at the pump to decide, rather than the U.S. government.
Congress should pass the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and advance free-market principles and U.S. energy independence.
State Rep. Mary Franson
Alexandria, MN