Ernst Demands Biden Prioritize E15 Before Summer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined a bipartisan group of members of the Senate Agriculture Committee in urging President Biden to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel. The senators note that American biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that will help drive down fuel costs for consumers.

“We must pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which includes leveraging domestic biofuels,” wrote the senators. “As your previous temporary waivers have proven, permitting the sale of higher blends of biofuels like E15 through the summer driving season bolsters the domestic fuel supply, lowers consumer costs, and promotes the environmental benefits of American biofuels and modern agriculture.”

Read the letter, led by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), here.

Background:

Throughout her time in Congress, Ernst has been a strong advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuel. In addition to supporting the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act since 2017,  Senator Ernst also joined a bipartisan group of Midwest senators in an effort to expand the year-round sales of E15 nationwide in November 2022.

In February 2023, Senator Ernst and the entire Iowa delegation demanded the EPA remove regulatory barriers for gasoline-ethanol blends—like E15—and implement the long-awaited request of Midwest governors, including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

In December 2023, Ernst led her colleagues in urging the Office of Management and Budget to work quickly to finalize its waiver, allowing retailers enough time to prepare for 2024 summer sales.

At a recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Ernst questioned USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on when we can expect to see an emergency waiver to allow for nationwide sales of E15. In his response, Vilsack was confident we would again see a waiver in April 2024.

In March 2024, Ernst and the entire Iowa delegation once again urged President Biden to immediately issue an emergency waiver, which would make E15 available across the country and utilize the strength of American agriculture to provide energy independence.

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