By American Coalition for Ethanol – March 31, 2022
oday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig led the six bipartisan Co-chairs of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus and 23 additional Members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to prioritize homegrown, renewable biofuels as a replacement for Russian imports.
“ACE members are incredibly grateful for the leadership being demonstrated by Rep. Angie Craig to spearhead this bipartisan letter urging the President to act now to allow E15 year-round and get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track,” said Brian Jennings, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO. “Ensuring year-round access to domestically-produced E15 for all parts of the country is the quickest way to address pain at the pump and make the U.S. more energy secure.”
Taken together, these actions would significantly increase U.S. energy independence, lower prices at the pump and ensure the continued success of our sanctions on the Russian economy, the letter states.
- Permanently reinstate the year-round availability of E15 by directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its authority pursuant to Section 211(c)(4)(C)(ii) of the Clean Air Act or by taking executive action to respond to a potential energy crisis triggered by Russian aggression on the international stage.
- Support ethanol and biodiesel by directing the EPA to reverse its course on the proposed retroactive reduction to 2020 and 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and adhere to the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) statutory obligations.
This letter follows other calls to action from members of Congress in March. Iowa’s congressional delegation urged EPA to expand the production and potential export of ethanol and biodiesel. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced the Home Front Energy Independence Act in the Senate, and Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) introduced the bill in the House, which includes provisions to increase the use of ethanol, including making E15 available year round and directing EPA to finalize its E15 labeling rule. Further, a bipartisan group of 16 senators, led by John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), sent a letter to President Biden urging him to enable year-round sales of E15 over the 2022 summer driving season.