E15 bill draws applause, concerns

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House’s passage of legislation allowing nationwide, year-round use of E15 drew mixed reactions from farm and biofuel groups.

Here’s what they’re saying.

“A year-round E15 bill now needs to proceed to the Senate, where we know that Illinois farmers will find champions in U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. Passage in the Senate may be a long-distance race, but it’s one Illinois farmers and the ICGA have been training for. At the finish line lies new domestic demand for U.S. corn farmers, lower fuel prices for consumers and cleaner air for all of us.”

Mark Bunselmeyer, president

Illinois Corn Growers Association

“This is an important step for Illinois farmers, biofuel producers, rural communities and consumers who benefit from affordable, reliable and domestically produced energy solutions. Year-round E15 will provide a much-needed economic boost to corn farmers in Illinois by expanding demand for homegrown biofuel. At a time when farmers continue to face volatile markets, consistent access to E15 provides greater market stability and long-term growth opportunities for agriculture and rural communities.”

Philip Nelson, president

Illinois Farm Bureau

“This permanent solution for year-round E15 would create an immediate 2.4 billion bushels of new corn demand nationally which would support long-term farm viability and grow rural communities. We now encourage the Senate to follow suit and pass year-round E15 to ensure our farmers can continue to provide food, fuel and fiber for the world.”

Indiana Farm Bureau

“ASA continues to fully support year-round access to E15 and policies that strengthen domestic biofuels demand and create new market opportunities for farmers. However, the bill contains more than just E15 provisions. Based on the findings of the recent Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri and Congressional Budget Office analyses, which also consider the permanent small refinery exemptions included in the bill, the House-passed legislation would result in reduced net farm income and negative economic impacts for soybean growers and the broader agricultural economy. Moving forward, ASA will continue working with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance solutions that enable year-round E15 without rewarding petroleum refiners who do not comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard at the expense of a critical domestic market for U.S. soy. Year-round E15 legislation must be pursued with a collective goal of strengthening farm income and supporting markets for both soybean and corn farmers.”

American Soybean Association

“As Americans continue to face pressure from rising energy costs, this bill delivers greater certainty for consumers while expanding choices at the pump. The American Petroleum Institute joined a broad coalition of energy producers, small refiners, biofuel stakeholders, agriculture groups, fuel retailers and equipment manufacturers in urging lawmakers to advance this legislation, highlighting how a holistic and balanced approach to E15 improves consumer choice and market certainty while supporting reliable, affordable fuel supply. The legislation expands choice at the pump by enabling nationwide, year-round access to E15 and eliminating seasonal barriers and a patchwork of state requirements. It allows — but does not mandate — retailers to offer E15, while preserving E10 availability for consumers.”

Mike Sommers, president and CEO

American Petroleum Institute

“As gas prices continue to skyrocket across the United States, allowing E15 to be sold year-round is the fastest way to save consumers at the pump and help make America more energy secure in the face of the oil supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. E15 would also help American farmers coping with the worst economic conditions in a generation by increasing corn demand domestically.”

Brian Jennings, CEO

American Coalition for Ethanol

“The House delivered truly bipartisan legislation that provides meaningful benefits for family farmers, their communities and consumers. Year-round, nationwide access to E15 is a kitchen-table issue, helping families save money at the pump while creating stronger domestic market opportunities for America’s farmers. At a time when both producers and consumers are facing continued economic pressure, expanding access to E15 is a commonsense step that strengthens competition in the fuel marketplace, supports homegrown energy and agriculture and keeps more dollars circulating in rural America.”

Rob Larew, president

National Farmers Union

“The bipartisan vote to allow the sale of year-round E15 will benefit drivers and farmers at a time both are desperately in need of good news. Fuels blended with 15% ethanol will increase demand for corn, which will help a struggling farm economy. America’s drivers will also have the choice to fill their tanks with fuel that is typically 10 to 30 cents cheaper per gallon. We urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and get this to the desk of President Donald Trump, who has already signaled his support for E15. It’s a win-win for farmers and for all of America.”

Zippy Duvall, president

American Farm Bureau Federation

“SABR is a biofuel advocate, so we support E15, but this current package is not the answer. The numbers in both the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute and Congressional Budget Office estimate lay out a stark picture for soybean farmers and biodiesel producers. Rather than an E15 compromise with a side of Small Refineries Exemptions, it is more of a SRE compromise with a side of E15. We would like to engage constructively with all stakeholders to find a more measured policy that is not so disproportionately harmful to soybean farmers and biodiesel producers who do not even receive any offsetting benefits from the package.”

Tom Brooks, chair

Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners