March 15, 2023

Duckworth, Durbin Help Reintroduce Bipartisan Year-Round E15 Legislation

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in reintroducing the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. This legislation would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10% — ending years of regulatory uncertainty and preventing a patchwork of uneven state regulations. Increasing the availability of biofuels like E15 would benefit the economy and the environment. U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) and Angie Craig (D-MN-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“In order for our country to remain a global energy leader, we must continue to invest in renewable and clean energy so we can decrease our emissions and dependence on foreign oil,” said Duckworth. “Producing less expensive fuel choices like E15 year-round will save families money at the pump, while strengthening our nation and driving economic opportunity throughout the Midwest, and I’m proud to join my colleagues to re-introduce legislation to help make that happen.”

“E15 allows more drivers to choose biofuels at the pump, which reduces carbon emissions, dependence on foreign oil, and fuel costs,” said Durbin. “It’s good for Illinois farmers, and it’s good for rural jobs. I'm proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to ensure E15 remains for sale year-round.”

Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer and Klobuchar, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

The legislation is endorsed by: National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the America Farm Bureau Federation, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, American Petroleum Institute, SIGMA, National Association of Truck Stop Operators and National Association of Convenience Stores.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.

In the Senate, Duckworth has been a leader in supporting biofuels and helping working families save money at the pump. Recently, Duckworth reintroduced her bipartisan Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act to make it unlawful to sell gasoline at a price that is unconscionably excessive during a crisis affecting the oil market. Last year, Duckworth also helped introduce the bipartisan Next Generation Fuels Act to leverage higher-octane fuels to help lower emissions and improve engine efficiency and performance, as well as the Home Front Energy Independence Act to ban Russian oil and expand the use and production of biofuel that’s grown in the American heartland, while providing American families with a less expensive option to fuel their vehicles. Additionally, Duckworth created a pilot project in the last National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at military installations and will continue to increase these efforts to expand the use on biofuels whenever possible.

Global exports of agricultural products from Illinois totaled over $10.6 Billion in 2022 alone and in support of this major industry, Duckworth recently led a Congressional delegation to Japan to highlight how Illinois is uniquely positioned for greater investment and to encourage increased exports as a hub for corn, soybean, pork and ethanol. Senator Duckworth also helped introduce the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act of 2023, which would support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.

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