Johnson Strengthens Fuel Supply Chain with Vote to Secure Year-Round E15 Sales

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to secure the sale of year-round E15 nationwide, strengthening fuel supply chain stability. The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan 218-203 vote.

"Year-round E15 sales is a big win for farmers and consumers," said Johnson. "For years, I've been working to reach a deal that gives consumers a cheaper option at the pump, supports American agriculture producers, and increases homegrown energy production. I hope the Senate will act soon and send this bill to President Trump's desk."

Johnson is a member of the Rural Domestic Energy Council, which was tasked with bringing E15 legislation to the floor. He is an original cosponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Click here to watch Johnson's remarks.

Background:

• Current law requires states to opt out of the E10 waiver to allow E15 sales during summer months, creating uncertainty and dysfunction in the gasoline market, driving up gasoline prices.
  • Refiners begin manufacturing fuel in February to meet federally-required summer gasoline specifications and begin shipping it. Temporary emergency waivers can provide short-term relief in some circumstances but have historically come too late given the significant lead time required to make and deliver summer gasoline. These emergency waivers can only be provided in 20-day increments, which adds an additional level of complexity and uncertainty.
• U.S. sales of E15 hit a record 1.52 billion gallons in 2025, an increase of 23% over 2024 sales.
• Drivers typically save 10-30 cents per gallon when filling up with E15 compared to E10.
• E15 is suitable for cars model year 2001 and newer.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:

• Allows the year-round sale of E15 fuel nationwide.
  • Doing so prevents a patchwork of unique state requirements while not impacting the supply of E10.
• Defines small refining companies as those that do not exceed 75,000 barrels per day of crude oil, per company, rather than per facility (current law).
  • This ensures large companies cannot claim "small" status to not comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard law.
  • Provides small refining companies with an automatic 75% exemption starting in 2028.
• Terminates the current small refinery exemption process on July 1, 2028, and prohibits the reallocation of exempted volumes starting in compliance year 2028, ensuring other refiners are not affected by these exempted volumes.
• Provides an additional emergency exemption pool for refineries at risk of imminent closure, permanent idling, or conversion to a renewable fuel production facility due to the cost of compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Click here for bill text.