A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Tuesday that would remove regulatory barriers preventing wider availability of E15, a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol that proponents say saves consumers money at the pump.
The Ethanol for America Act would require the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize proposed rulemaking from January 2021 that streamlines E15 labeling requirements and confirms compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure.
“Consumer demand for E15 grows each year, but onerous labeling and underground tank requirements have prevented many retailers from expanding access to better options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This important effort will put more homegrown energy into the marketplace, reduce prices at the pump, and open critical new markets for U.S. farmers and biofuel producers.”
The bill, introduced as S. 2591 in the Senate and H.R. 4864 in the House, would allow retailers to use existing equipment for E15 without costly upgrades and simplify pump labeling.
“The most effective way to keep a lid on gas prices is to expand and diversify the domestic fuel supply with higher ethanol blends like E15,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Geoff Cooper. “Knocking down regulatory barriers will lower fuel costs for Americans and strengthen the market’s resilience against global supply disruptions.”
Lead sponsors include Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), along with Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.).
Industry advocates note E15 can be used in 96% of vehicles on the road today, but many retailers mistakenly believe they must replace equipment despite research showing existing infrastructure is compatible.
