WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said he intends to sign a rule this week allowing year-round sale of E-15:

“I’m happy to see the rulemaking for year-round E-15 move forward as we approach the summer driving season. However, I’m leery of what the EPA will do when it comes to RINs. It’s hard for ethanol producers to have faith in a fair deal from the EPA after deeply disturbing revelations last week regarding small refinery waivers. While I support transparency in the RIN market, I am concerned that the agency’s future actions could negate the positive results of year-round E-15 and negatively impact Nebraska’s farmers and ethanol producers.”

Last week Reuters reported that under former Administrator Scott Pruitt, the EPA acted to help big refineries profit. Click here to read Senator Fischer’s statement in response to that news, where she says she “intends to pursue legislative options to address abuse in the small refinery exemption process.”

Senator Fischer has long been an advocate for year-round sale of E-15 and was a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. It would have allowed retailers across the country to sell E-15 and other higher-ethanol/gasoline fuel blends year-round, increasing regulatory certainty and eliminating confusion at the pump.