Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act introduced
Today, a group of Democratic and Republican members of Congress introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025. The bill would allow for nationwide, permanent year-round sales of fuel with up to 15% ethanol by volume. The fuel blend is known as E15, a nod to its 15% ethanol concentration, and/or Unleaded 88 in reference to its 88 octane rating.
The bill is sponsored in the U.S. House by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). In the U.S. Senate, it is sponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The bill also has cosponsors that include Reps. Brad Finstad and Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota.
Allowing for permanent, year-round Unleaded 88 sales is a common-sense step that would provide certainty to drivers and all U.S. residents and eliminate patchwork solutions to outdated Unleaded 88 summertime restrictions. Those restrictions have nothing to do with the safety or quality of the fuel.
“The proposed fix is a significant win for drivers, farmers, rural communities, and all consumers, given how Unleaded 88 lowers prices at the pump, reduces emissions, increases consumer choice, and bolsters rural economies,” MCGA President Jim Kanten said. “MCGA is grateful to members of both political parties for prosing this legislation, and we look forward to securing its passage.”
Unleaded 88 has been approved for use cars, trucks, and SUVs model year 2001 and newer since 2011. The fuel was first offered for sale in Minnesota in 2013 and is now available at more than 500 fuel stations in the state.
Summertime restrictions of Unleaded 88 sales are due to a quirk in 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. You can read more here about those amendments and their goals, which include reducing smog and ground-level ozone. However, the reality is that Unleaded 88 is less likely than regular unleaded to contribute to those concerns. All that restricting Unleaded 88 does is create a perception that the fuel is unsuitable for use, which simply isn’t true.
You can learn more about Unleaded 88, and find an Unleaded 88 station near you, at mnfuels.com
