By Jamie Martin
A large coalition of trade groups from the agriculture, energy, and fuel retail sectors is calling on Congress to take immediate action to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel across the United States. The request was made in a letter sent to leaders of the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council.
The organizations stressed that the timeline for action is very short. The council is expected to present legislative recommendations to the U.S. House by mid-February. At the same time, fuel producers and retailers are making decisions for the upcoming year, and farmers are planning what crops to plant.
The coalition explained that year-round E15 availability would help lower fuel prices for consumers while improving stability in the fuel marketplace. They also highlighted that predictable fuel policies are important for long term planning and investment across the transportation fuel industry.
To reach a solution quickly, the groups urged lawmakers to use existing legislation as a foundation. The proposed bill focuses on updating outdated regulations that limit summer E15 sales and addressing market disruptions caused by certain refinery exemptions under renewable fuel laws.
According to the coalition, the legislation has strong backing from agriculture groups, ethanol producers, fuel retailers, and oil refiners. They believe it offers the most complete and balanced approach to resolving long standing E15 policy challenges.
The letter was signed by organizations representing corn growers, ethanol producers, fuel marketers, and state agriculture agencies. Together, they emphasized that prompt congressional action would benefit consumers, strengthen rural economies, and provide clarity for the nation’s fuel system as the summer driving season approaches.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-dickgage
Categories: National