Permanent year-round E15 legislation passes U.S. House
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1346—the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. Passed on a 218-203 vote, the bipartisan bill allows for permanent year-round sales of E15 (Unleaded 88) while making reasonable reforms to the Renewable Fuel Standard’s small refinery exemption program.
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is thrilled with today’s vote, which is a win for corn farmers, rural communities, and U.S. drivers and recognizes that in order to deliver these wins, there are still legislative steps to be taken before it becomes law.
The bill will ensure drivers have permanent, uninterrupted access to E15—a homegrown biofuel blend that reduces emissions and costs at the pump by 15 to 40 cents per gallon compared to E10 (regular unleaded). It also will bolster increase American energy independence and create additional opportunities for family farmers at a time of increasing economic uncertainty in farm country.
“Passing year-round E15 is exactly the right step to reduce costs for families and create meaningful market opportunities for farmers,” MCGA President Wes Beck said in a statement. “We appreciate the House of Representatives taking this common-sense action and are extremely grateful for our champions for their tireless advocacy on this issue. We look forward to working with the Senate to secure the bill’s passage.”
Beck thanked House Majority Whip Emmer for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of family farmers. He also thanked Representative Fischbach for her leadership in the House Rules Committee and her advocacy as part of the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council.
Additionally, he thanked Representative Finstad for his continued advocacy and support of E15 as a member of the council and the House Ag Committee. He also thanked Representative Angie Craig, the ranking member on the Ag Committee, for her current and past leadership on E15. Representatives Fischbach, Finstad, and Craig were original sponsors of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.
About E15
E15 is a biofuel blend containing up to 15% ethanol by volume. Typically marketed at the pump as Unleaded 88—a nod to its 88 octane rating—the fuel is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in cars, trucks, and SUVs 2001 and newer.
First offered for sale in Minnesota in 2013, E15 saves consumers money at the pump while reducing emissions compared to regular unleaded. Currently, it can be found at more than 550 Minnesota fuel stations. The latest state data shows that, on average, E15 costs 12 cents less per gallon than regular unleaded—though many fuel stations have even bigger price spreads.
Unfortunately, an outdated federal law currently bans the sale of E15 in most of the U.S. during the summer months. (The fuel can be sold during the summer in Minnesota and six other midwestern states.) The summertime restriction has nothing to do with the safety or quality of E15 as a fuel; it’s simply a relic of Clean Air Act provisions that were enacted in 1990, which was over two decades before E15 was even available to consumers.
You can learn more about E15 and find a station offering the fuel near you at mnfuels.com.
