Importantly, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023 has support from a wide mix of stakeholders, including the National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the American Petroleum Institute.
Additional cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), 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.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), 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.).
“Our bipartisan legislation is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleashing the power of year-round E15. 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,” said Senator Fischer.
The full list of bill endorsements includes:
Agriculture: National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the America Farm Bureau Federation, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Biofuels: Renewable Fuels Association, 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
Click here to read the text of the bill.
Click here to read more information on the bill and past Fischer actions on biofuels.
U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) introduced companion legislation in the House.
State Stakeholder Support:
“Senator Fischer’s diligence to achieving passage of legislation to allow year-round sales of E 15 is greatly appreciated by Renewable Fuels Nebraska’s membership. This common-sense legislation would allow for surety for fuel retailers and ethanol producers and corn farmers alike, while offering consumers meaningful savings at the pump during peak driving season. We look forward to supporting Senator Fischer in getting this important bill across the finish line,” said Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska.
“Allowing for the nationwide sale of E-15 year-round is long overdue. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer’s Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act will provide common sense regulatory changes that will allow American consumers the opportunity to purchase higher blends of ethanol at any time during the year. Sen. Fischer’s leadership on this issue, one which is so vital to the future growth of the ethanol industry and Nebraska’s economy, has brought both the ethanol and petroleum industries together in support of this legislation. It is because of her steadfast support and determination we are hopeful the Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act finally becomes law. Now is the time to finally get this legislation to the President’s desk,” said Mark McHargue, President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
“Nebraska Corn Growers Association thanks Senator Fischer for leading the efforts to allow year-round sales of E15. Allowing year-round access to E-15 reduces the cost for consumers, leads to cleaner air and paves the way for longer term opportunities for the Next Generation Fuels Act,” said Chris Grams, President of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.
“Nebraska Farmers Union applauds Senator Fischer’s efforts to resolve a longstanding technical issue of conflict between ethanol supporters and the petroleum industry with the introduction of her amendment to the Clean Air Act. Sen. Fischer’s compromise enjoys support from both the ethanol and petroleum sectors and will produce a national solution that will allow E-15 and higher blend ethanol products to be sold year around. The result of this long overdue compromise will lower fuel prices, carbon dioxide and cancer-causing tailpipe emissions, support family farmers, corn producers, and rural communities while dramatically improving air quality. House and Senate passage of Sen. Fischer’s legislation would be welcome economic shot in the arm for rural America and all fuel users,” said John Hansen, President of the Nebraska Farmers Union.
National Stakeholder Support:
“The choice of low-cost, low-emission E15 at the pump saves drivers millions of dollars a year and increases the fuel supply to improve our energy security. We thank Sens. Fischer and Klobuchar and their bipartisan cosponsors for again leading on this needed solution to resolve an outdated barrier to consumer choice. There’s no reason for market access for a safe, clean and affordable fuel option to be in question, and we urge Congress to pass this commonsense legislation,” said Tom Haag, President of the National Corn Growers Association.
“Securing national and permanent market access for E15 year-round is best done through Congress and we are enormously grateful for the leadership of Sens. Fischer, Klobuchar, and other Senators for introducing this legislation to clarify the statute once and for all. Given the urgency to ensure uninterrupted market access for 2023, ACE is pushing for passage of this legislation and other options to unleash the cost saving benefits of E15 this summer,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).
“We applaud Senators Fischer and Klobuchar for introducing legislation that strengthens the reliability of the fuel supply chain and ensures American consumers have access to the fuels they depend on every day. By allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide while also preserving access to lower ethanol gasoline blends, this bipartisan legislation brings much-needed consistency and long-term certainty to the marketplace. We’re hopeful that Congress will recognize the broad and diverse support that this bill has already received and work quickly to pass it into law,” said Will Hupman, Vice President of Downstream Policy at the American Petroleum Institute.
“We thank Sen. Fischer, Sen. Klobuchar, and other renewable fuel supporters in the Senate for introducing this legislation, which brings much-needed consistency and stability to the marketplace. Ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel retailers, equipment manufacturers, and farmers have all come together to support this commonsense legislation that ensures year-round availability of lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 at the pump. As war in Ukraine continues to wreak havoc on global energy markets, this bill helps keep gas prices in check and extends the U.S. fuel supply. We are highly encouraged by the diverse support this effort is receiving, and we urge Congress to move quickly to adopt this legislation,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.
“Without action, the fast-approaching summer driving season could be the first since 2019 without lower-cost E15 blends. This legislation represents an immediate solution that will deliver savings for drivers, lower carbon emissions, and offer greater protection from the global turmoil that continues to cast a shadow over our energy security. There is no reason to keep biofuels from America’s heartland bottled up, especially based on an outdated regulation. We are grateful to Senator Klobuchar, Senator Fischer and their bipartisan allies who continue to fight for rural families and American drivers. The clock is ticking, but we have outstanding champions in Congress working to ensure that working families don’t lose access to their favorite lower-carbon, lower-cost option on June 1,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy.
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