(WASHINGTON D.C.) — As lawmakers rolled out a continuing resolution on Tuesday evening that included $10 billion in farm aid, an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill and more, the bill also included legislation to make E-15 sales year round.
“We are very pleased to see that the long-awaited fix allowing year-round E15 is included in this package,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This language would finally remove an outdated, red-tape regulatory barrier, and we remain hopeful that the continuing resolution will move swiftly through Congress and to the president’s desk for signature. Allowing year-round sales of E15 will benefit farmers, fuel retailers, and—most importantly—consumers seeking lower-cost, cleaner fuel options at the pump.”
According to the RFA, at an average price of $2.62 per gallon nationwide, E15 is currently selling at an 8.7% discount to E10, saving drivers an average of 26 cents with each gallon.
“E15 lowers emissions, saves drivers money, and increases American energy dominance,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Giving consumers the chance to choose this fuel year-round would be an early Christmas present to American drivers, the nation’s rural communities that depend on a strong renewable fuels sector, and to the environment. We are grateful for the tireless work of our numerous Congressional champions to get this bill included, and that Congressional leadership has endorsed this commonsense, bipartisan, bicameral energy solution, and encourage Senators and Representatives to vote in favor of this package so that year-round E15 becomes the law of the land.”
Numerous Midwestern lawmakers have been pushing for year-round E-15 sales for many years now, including Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer. In a statement, Senator Fischer said in part that “my legislation is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleashing the power of year-round E15. This will once and for all solidify President Trump’s pledge to allow the sale of year-round E15—giving America’s producers and consumers the certainty they deserve. This will put an end to years of patchwork regulations and finally make nationwide year-round E15 a reality.”
According to Growth Energy, E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 3,400 gas stations in 31 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.
Learn more about E15 here.