E15 update: Push for legislative fix featured in regional media
In Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and its congressional champions continue the push to ensure lawmakers act on a proposal to ensure permanent, year-round E15.
Back at home, that effort is gaining notice in local and regional media.
Over the past week, two Twin Cities media outlets—Twin Cities Business and Minnesota Public Radio News—have featured articles that spotlight year-round E15. The issue also continues to receive considerable attention in state and national ag publications.
Both the MPR and Twin Cities Business articles noted how President Trump issued a rule during his first term allowing year-round E15 but that oil interests sued to overturn the rule. Both also quoted MCGA farmer-leaders explaining how E15 would support corn farmers and agricultural economies.
“For us to increase consumption of corn, that’s really what we’re looking for. So, we’re cautiously optimistic that this is really going to get over the table,” Dana Allen-Tully told Twin Cities Business.
MCGA had hoped that Congress would include a year-round E15 fix in the appropriations package that passed late last month. Unfortunately, lawmakers did not include the language in the bill, instead opting to establish a new E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council.
Richard Syverson told MPR that he’s used to being disappointed by E15 legislation being postponed. “I get frustrated, I get tired,” he said. “And yet this is America, and we have the freedom to make choices, and we have the freedom to advocate and be passionate about our point of view.”
Minnesota is fortunate to have strong representation on the council in Congressman Brad Finstad and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach. More broadly, MCGA is appreciative of our state’s congressional biofuel champions, who include Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representatives Angie Craig, Tom Emmer, Finstad, and Fischbach. We’re also appreciative of President Trump for reiterating his support for nationwide, year-round E15 during his visit to Iowa last week.
The E15 council is required by law to make a legislative recommendations to Congress by Feb. 15, and Congress must consider E15 legislation by Feb. 25. MCGA will continue to closely monitor the process as it moves forward this month.
