MARCH 23, 2023:
The National Corn Growers Association urged EPA officials to implement a petition from Midwest governors that would remove barriers to higher blends of ethanol and avoid further delay. EPA’s public hearing reviewed the agency’s recent proposal to implement a plan from eight Midwest governors to require lower-volatility gasoline so drivers in those states continue to have year-round access to fuel with 15 percent ethanol, often marketed as Unleaded 88. EPA has proposed delaying implementation of the governors’ plan until 2024.
NCGA President Tom Haag took issue with the delays to date and urged EPA to avoid further delays in implementation. He also highlighted the emissions reduction benefits of E15 and the current cost savings of up to 20 cents or more per gallon when drivers choose E15. Haag says, “we now strongly urge EPA to implement this rule with an effective date of April 28, 2024 — as proposed –without further delay.”
MARCH 22, 2023:
Governors from four Corn Belt states– including South Dakota– are asking US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan for an emergency waiver to allow E15 blended gasoline to be used during this summer’s driving season.
Regan approved a petition last year (April 28, 2022) to allow for year-round sales of E15, but the Biden Administration has delayed issuing the proposal. Now, the EPA wants to delay implementation until April next year (April 28, 2024).
The governors requested that the EPA use its emergency authority to ensure that E15 remains available in the marketplace this summer. They say the agency used this authority last summer (2022) and the market conditions that justified emergency actions last summer still exist today.
Governors who have signed the letter to the EPA are South Dakota’s Kristi Noem, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds, Minnesota’s Tim Walz and Nebraska’s Jim Pillen.
Governor Kristi Noem says postponing implementation of their request could result in higher prices at the pump during the summer 2023 driving season because consumers would lose access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15.
MARCH 17, 2023:
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) in reintroducing the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10 percent. If passed into law, this bill would end years of regulatory uncertainty and prevent a patchwork approach of uneven state regulations. Increasing the availability of biofuels like E15 would benefit the economy, environment and consumers.
“Securing year-round access to E15 is common sense, and this bill is the best way to achieve that goal,” said Rounds. “This bipartisan legislation not only supports South Dakota producers and consumers, it also provides our country with stability in the market and greater energy independence. I am pleased to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make this a permanent, lower-cost option for drivers in South Dakota and across the country.”
“American drivers have enjoyed year-round access to cleaner and more affordable E15 fuel for four years, and it’s time to make this permanent,” said Thune. “I’m proud to support this legislation that would give South Dakota farmers and fuel retailers the certainty they need to offer E15 fuel without seasonal disruption and provide consumers with this lower-cost fuel option.”
“Our bipartisan legislation is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleashing the power of year-round E15,” said Fischer. “It’s why we’ve been able to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders from the oil/gas, biofuel, ag, and transportation sectors to support our legislation. Negating the need for a patchwork of regulations will ensure all Americans can enjoy lower costs at the pump. With this unique coalition of support, I’m more optimistic than ever that we can make year-round E15 a reality.”
The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act is endorsed by the National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the America Farm Bureau Federation, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, American Petroleum Institute, SIGMA, National Association of Truck Stop Operators and National Association of Convenience Stores.
This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).
Companion legislation was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.).
Click HERE for full bill text.
JANUARY 31, 2023:
Last week (Jan. 23-27, 2023), Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led a bipartisan coalition of seven Attorneys General urging the Biden Administration to follow the law and allow the sale of year-round E-15. Federal law permits Governors to request that the EPA issue the regulations allowing E15 and requires the EPA to issue the regulations within 90 days. The sale of E15 has been restricted during the summer peak-driving months due to an outdated provision of the Clean Air Act.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds led a bipartisan coalition of Governors making the request on April 22, 2022, but the EPA still has not issued the regulation as required by law. Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds, again wrote to the Biden Administration reiterating her request that the mandatory regulations be issued in response to their request.
Attorney General Bird and the Attorneys General of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota (Marty Jackley) and Wisconsin signed the letter to the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Comments