Hawkeye Reporter

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have introduced the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act, which aims to expand consumer access to E15, a biofuel blend. The legislation seeks to address regulatory hurdles by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to complete rulemaking from 2021 that would update labeling requirements for E15 fuel and clarify its compatibility with existing underground storage and dispensing equipment.

According to the bill's sponsors, these changes would prevent business owners from facing unnecessary infrastructure costs when offering E15 at their stations. Senator Grassley stated, “E15 is good, good, good: good for consumers, good for the environment and good for our national security. Today, we’re sending a strong message in support of E15, urging the administration to recognize its benefits. Much of our infrastructure for E10 can accommodate E15, and taking our requested actions would bolster our energy security, reduce costs for consumers and support rural America.”

Senator Ernst added, “It’s no secret that access to E15 creates lower prices at the pump for consumers, value added to homegrown crops, stronger rural communities, and domestic energy dominance. I’m working to remove regulatory roadblocks and ensure biofuels are offered to folks filling up their cars using existing infrastructure at local gas stations across our nation. We cannot allow outdated red tape to stand in the way of unleashing the benefits of E15.”

The bill has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. In addition to Grassley, Ernst, and Klobuchar, it is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) are leading companion legislation in the House.

Grassley, Ernst, and Klobuchar also led a group of 17 Members of Congress in sending a letter urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to confirm that current fuel infrastructure is compatible with E15. They cited research indicating that underground storage tanks designed for E10 can also handle E15 safely. The letter notes that E15 is approved for use in 96% of vehicles on U.S. roads today with over 160 billion miles driven using this fuel blend.

Supporters argue that expanding access to E15 could save drivers between 10 and 30 cents per gallon at the pump while avoiding costly upgrades for retailers. They also emphasize that increased use of E15 would boost demand for domestically grown corn and help strengthen farm incomes by creating more robust markets for agricultural products.