Smith Sets the Record Straight on Nationwide, Year-Round E15

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), co-chair of the biofuels caucus, joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues at a press conference urging Congress to lower prices at the pump for consumers and increase much-needed market access for ag producers by passing his Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

During his remarks, Smith set the record straight by debunking E15 opponents' false claims while encouraging his colleagues to support commonsense policy as opposed to political gamesmanship. Smith was joined by National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower, along with U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Shontel Brown (OH-11).

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On Supporting Commonsense Policies:
"The American people deserve access to affordable, reliable fuel options, and American producers deserve policies grounded in commonsense-not political gamesmanship. That is exactly what nationwide, year-round E15 delivers.

Unfortunately, there has been a smear campaign full of misinformation aimed at preventing nationwide, year-round E15 from becoming a reality. Now more than ever it is important for me to set the record straight."

On Expanding Choices for Consumers:
"Our opponents claim this legislation is an unfunded mandate. That is simply false. My Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailers Choice Act does not require retailers to sell E15, nor does it force anyone to blend or market a new fuel product. What it does is provide certainty and flexibility for retailers who choose to offer E15 during the remaining three months of the year. It expands consumer choice-it does not impose government mandates."

On Lowering Prices at the Pump:
"They say 'E15 raises prices for consumers.' When in reality, E15 does the opposite. In fact, it has proven to lower prices at the pump by 30 cents per gallon on average. At a time when families are already stretched thin, lower fuel costs matter, and that is exactly what E15 delivers."

On Increasing Market Access for Biofuels Producers:
"Corn prices remain under pressure, and if Congress fails to create stronger domestic markets, we may once again be forced into expensive ad-hoc disaster assistance.

Nationwide, year-round E15 is expected to increase corn demand by more than two billion bushels annually, creating stronger markets for producers while reducing the likelihood of future taxpayer-funded bailouts. This is not wasteful spending-it is smart policy."

On Achieving American Energy Independence:
"This debate comes down to a simple question: do we want more affordable fuel, stronger energy independence, and expanded markets for American agriculture-or do we want to continue allowing uncertainty and politics to stand in the way?

I believe the answer is clear. Nationwide, year-round E15 is good for consumers, good for producers, and good for America."