Ernst, Grassley Push to Bring E15 Certainty to the Pump

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joined a bipartisan group of Midwest senators on a push to expand the year-round sales of E15 nationwide. The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to ethanol blends above ten percent.

Earlier this year, eight governors across the Midwest – led by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds – requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issue a permanent RVP waiver to allow their states to sell E15 year-round without restriction. As the EPA sits on their request, the senators introduced this legislation to bring a unified solution and nationwide certainty to the sale of E15.

“Homegrown ethanol is the cheaper, cleaner option to relieve pain at the pump, and we’ve seen the benefits of year-round E15 sales right here in Iowa,” said Senator Ernst. “By ensuring the year-round sale of higher blends of ethanol across the country, we will bring much-needed certainty to our corn growers, who stand ready to fulfill demands from coast to coast.”

“As gas prices remain painfully high for many Americans, we consistently see E15 provides consumers with a more affordable option for filling up their tanks. Ethanol is good for the economy, good for national security and good for the environment. In addition to benefiting consumers, it’s time to give some certainty to our farmers and producers,” Grassley said.

“Senators Ernst and Fischer have led the Senate effort for a year-round E15 fix since their time together on the Senate EPW Committee,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “IRFA members appreciate their tenacity and coalition building that has brought us closer to the finish line. Getting this legislation enacted would be a huge win for consumers and farmers alike.”

“The value of ethanol goes beyond our state lines, and we can’t thank Senator Ernst enough for her commitment to making E15 available for year-round sales nationwide,” said Denny Friest, President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “This bipartisan legislation provides the structure and certainty necessary to accelerate higher ethanol blend sales, and a collaborative solution to the continued growing demand for affordable, homegrown, cleaner-burning fuel.”

Joining Senators Ernst and Grassley on the bill, led by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), are Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The bill is supported by the American Petroleum Institute, SIGMA, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, Renewable Fuels of America, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Farmers Union, and the America Farm Bureau Federation.

For full bill text, click here.

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