The letter comes more than 300 days after Finstad and Ernst’s initial letter requesting the EPA and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) act on a request made by several Midwest governors to lift restrictions on the year-round sale of ethanol, and more than 500 days since the statutory deadline of the governors’ April 2022 request.

Other signatories of the letter included Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota Representatives Angie Craig, Michelle Fischbach and Tom Emmer. 

In the letter, the lawmakers said the EPA's publication of a final rule on the governors request was expected in June 2023 but the rule has yet to be published.

"Furthermore, on November 24, 2023, it was reported that action on our Midwest governors' request has been stalled at the White House due to unfounded oil industry claims that implementation would cause supply disruptions at the pump. However, refiners are already required to produce fuel in this manner for specialized markets in non-attainment areas," the lawmakers said.

They said recent analyses shows the cost to refiners and fuel suppliers associated with lower reid vapor pressure (RVP) fuel would be minimal (0 to 3 cents) while the existing infrastructure in the Midwest would be equipped to accomodate the switch.

"As we approach the 2024 summer driving season, it is critical that the Biden Administration works swiftly to finalize the Governors’ requests, bringing much-needed certainty to our corn growers, fuel retailers, and consumers to enjoy the clean-burning, lower cost benefits of year-round E15," they said.