Update on E15

Update on E15

With U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley

Q: How will Iowans benefit from year-round E15?

A: For more than 15 years, I've championed homegrown ethanol in the U.S. Senate. In 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of E15, a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. Since then, Americans have chosen to purchase more than eight billion gallons of E15, putting more affordable, cleaner fuel into their vehicles, driving more than 180 billion miles to get where they need to go. Outdated federal rules restrict E15 sales from June 1 to Sept. 15. For the last eight years, year-round E15 has been available by presidential waiver. While I welcome these temporary fuel waivers, it's a band-aid approach that brings uncertainty to families, farmers and fuel retailers. Without a waiver, families are forced to pay more at the pump for higher-priced fuel during the busy summer driving season. And without the certainty of federal law, fuel retailers are hesitant to invest in new infrastructure for their pumps while farmers feel the pinch of reduced corn demand.

A new report released by a grassroots rural coalition called U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action brings key facts to the policy debate. Importantly, it underscores how E15 can deliver a financial lifeline to the rural economy and help sustain the livelihoods of family farmers for generations to come. Reduced demand for corn-based ethanol would cause a damaging domino effect in rural communities, fewer agribusiness and biofuel jobs mean less paychecks and a smaller tax base to support local infrastructure, schools, hospitals and economic vitality on Main Street. The report backs up what I've been saying for years. Biofuels are good for the rural economy, good for national security, good for the environment and good for family pocketbooks. Beyond E15, the study emphasized advanced technology and innovation can boost rural prosperity and farm profitability by capitalizing on emerging markets in maritime and aviation fuels.

Now that momentum is growing to enact permanent year-round E15 into federal law, we're seeing pushback from oil refineries. The facts will help wipe away those crocodile tears. Don't forget, the sky didn't fall on the oil refineries when E15 was available for sale year-round for the last eight years. According to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, no U.S. refineries shut down because of summertime sales of E15. Instead, E15 delivered savings for families, up to 40 cents per gallon. During the 2026 summer driving season, that will add up to more than $150 million in savings on fuel purchases. I put together a comprehensive fact sheet to highlight the bushels of goodness that will come to bear if we can get year-round E15 across the finish line. For example, drivers who are able to choose E15 nationwide would save around $400 per year. Access to E15 would create 128,000 new jobs. Enacting E15 would generate an additional $25.8 billion in economic activity, including nearly $14 billion in additional corn demand. Find my Numbers to Know fact sheet on my website.

Q: Will E15 get to the president's desk this year?

A: With bipartisan passage in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 13th, now is the best opportunity we've had to get E15 signed into law. It's further than it's ever been in Congress. Plus, we've got the "full and unequivocal support" of the Trump administration. I'm urging my colleagues in the Corn Belt to act with urgency while we have the momentum and the facts on our side. There's no time for pussyfooting around. During a speech on the floor of the Senate, I explained the limited number of legislative vehicles to attach E15 in a must-pass bill before the end of the year, such as the farm bill, the defense bill and appropriations bills. If we miss this opportunity, we may never get permanent, year-round E15 enacted. That would take away a $14 billion market for corn, deal a serious blow to the rural economy and make it harder for young people to earn a living on their generational farms. That's why I'm pushing full steam ahead to get E15 to the president's desk once and for all.

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