Duckworth, Durbin Join Fischer, Klobuchar to Introduce Bipartisan Year-Round E15 Legislation with Landmark Support
[WASHINGTON, D.C]—U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to introduce the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022. The bipartisan legislation would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%. Increasing the availability of biofuels like E15 would benefit the economy and the environment. This federal legislation would also end years of regulatory uncertainty and prevent a patchwork of uneven state regulations.
“Our country is a global energy leader, but we need to continue investing in renewable and clean energy so we can remain one and decrease our dependence on foreign oil,” said Senator Duckworth. “Producing less expensive fuel choices like E15 year-round will save families money at the pump, while strengthening our nation and driving economic opportunity throughout the Midwest, and I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce legislation to help make that happen.”
“The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act will allow E15 to be sold all year,” said Senator Durbin. “More Illinois drivers will save money at the pump by choosing lower-carbon, home-grown ethanol, reducing our dependence on OPEC and helping Illinois farmers.”
“We’ve long known that unleashing the full power of ethanol saves consumers money at the pump, supports family farmers, and boosts U.S. energy security,” said Senator Fischer. “Now, however, we’ve been able to bring critical oil/gas, biofuel, ag, and transportation stakeholders to the table around a common-sense solution. With this strong coalition of support, it’s time Congress act to make year-round E15 a reality.”
“I have long pushed to make E15 available year-round because investing in affordable, readily-available biofuels produced in the U.S. is good for drivers and farmers alike,” said Senator Klobuchar. “By ensuring consumers can access E15 gasoline throughout the year, our bipartisan legislation will benefit our economy, decrease prices at the pump, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It’s critical that we diversify our fuel supply and invest in affordable energy solutions. I look forward to working with Senator Fischer to pass this bipartisan bill.”
Importantly, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022 has support from an unprecedented mix of stakeholders, including the National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels of America, Growth Energy and the American Petroleum Institute.
Additional cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Earlier this year, Duckworth helped introduce the Home Front Energy Independence Act to help make E15 fuel available year-round and establish an E15 and Biodiesel Tax Credit. Duckworth also helped lead a bipartisan push to prioritize the year-round sale of E15 fuel and utilize American agriculture as a less costly energy solution.
The full list of bill endorsements includes:
Agriculture: National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the America Farm Bureau Federation, National Sorghum Producers, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Biofuels: Renewable Fuels of America, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol
Oil/Natural Gas Sector: American Petroleum Institute
Transportation: SIGMA, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, National Association of Convenience Stores
Full text of the bill can be found here.
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