Fischer questions EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on her Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Fuel Choice Act, which would allow for the year-round sale of E15.

Download video of Fischer’s questioning here

Download audio of Fischer’s questioning here

FISCHER: Is my bill or the actions you have taken at EPA in any way a mandate for a gas station to sell or an American consumer to buy E15?

ZELDIN: No, Senator.

FISCHER: Is it also accurate that we have had year-round E15 through a patchwork of regulations since 2019 – meaning this will be the eighth year that we have had E15 year-round?

ZELDIN: That is accurate, since 2019, yes.

FISCHER: And during these past eight years, are you aware of any refiners that have closed because consumers had a choice to purchase E15 year-round?

ZELDIN: I am not aware of any refinery that closed because of that. 

FISCHER: So, we basically had E15 year-round for eight years and the sky did not fall. Thank you, Administrator. It is about time to make permanent nationwide year-round E15 because consumers do deserve to have a choice at the gas station and an opportunity to save money.

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