More than 30 organizations representing farmers and renewable fuel producers called on the U.S. House of Representatives on April 28 to include a nationwide, year-round E15 provision in the upcoming Farm Bill. The request was made in a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson.
The letter emphasizes that permanent access to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) is essential for supporting rural economies, creating jobs, reducing emissions, and helping manage energy costs for consumers. The groups stated: “As organizations representing renewable fuel producers and feedstock growers, we are writing to express our strong support for a bipartisan amendment proposed to the House Farm Bill (H.R. 7567) that would permanently allow retail gas stations the option to sell gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) year-round.” They added that “year-round E15 has been a top priority – if not the top priority – for our organizations for many years… We have undertaken these efforts because year-round E15 access is a critical component to providing enhanced agricultural market support to rural farm economies, creating jobs through rural economic development and biomanufacturing, reducing harmful emissions through the use of cleaner fuels, and helping blunt the impact of high energy costs on consumers in a more dangerous geopolitical world.”
The proposed amendment comes from work by the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council co-chaired by Iowa Representative Randy Feenstra. Supporters hope it will be considered by the House Rules Committee as debate over amendments moves forward.
Monte Shaw, Executive Director of Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), said: “IRFA is proud to be part of this letter that spans farmers from Texas to North Dakota, and from Nebraska to Ohio. We are confident of bipartisan support on the House floor if E15 is allowed a vote. One way or the other, it is beyond time to unleash E15 to reduce gas prices while boosting farmer income and enhancing U.S. energy security.” IRFA represents Iowa’s liquid renewable fuels industry—a sector with an economic contribution exceeding $5.7 billion according to its official website.
The association operates out of West Des Moines at 5550 Wild Rose Lane according to its official website. IRFA works closely with local ethanol and biodiesel producers as well as national groups like the American Coalition for Ethanol according to its official website. The industry includes 42 ethanol plants producing more than five billion gallons annually along with eight biodiesel facilities capable of producing over four hundred million gallons each year according to its official website.
IRFA’s efforts focus on promoting biofuels growth through education initiatives, advocacy work, infrastructure support according to its official website, and strengthening Iowa’s position as a leader in renewable fuels production according to its official website.
