U.S. senators introduce invoice to broaden E15 gasoline gross sales, with assist from oil group By Reuters

By Stephanie Kelly

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. senators from Nebraska and Minnesota launched laws on Tuesday that may broaden nationwide gross sales of E15, a gasoline with a better mix of ethanol, after gaining assist for the invoice from an oil business commerce group for the primary time, Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska instructed Reuters.

The laws, launched by Fischer and Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota and supported by the American Petroleum Institute (API), would mark an enormous win for the ethanol business and corn farmers who’ve repeatedly tried to broaden gross sales of E15 however have confronted hurdles.

Whereas it’s unknown if the invoice has the assist it must go each the Home and Senate to change into legislation, the backing of the oil business has lifted a notable political impediment.

U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) anti-smog laws presently prohibit summertime gross sales of E15, regardless that analysis has proven the upper proportion mix could not enhance smog relative to the ten% mix known as E10 that’s now offered year-round.

Reuters reported this month that the API started cooperating with biofuel business teams about laws after governors from main corn-producing Midwestern states earlier this yr requested the EPA enable for expanded gross sales of E15 in their very own states. The governors’ proposal raised oil business issues about gas laws differing from state to state.

“We’ve got good assist,” Fischer instructed Reuters. “Once you take a look at the influence it will have, particularly on the central a part of america, the Midwest and a part of the south, I believe that is extraordinarily essential.”

Fischer and Klobuchar’s laws, if handed, would nullify the governors’ request and keep away from patchwork E15 growth, Fischer stated.

“By permitting for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide whereas additionally preserving entry to decrease ethanol gasoline blends, this bipartisan laws strengthens the reliability of the gas provide chain and ensures American shoppers have entry to the fuels they rely upon every single day,” stated Will Hupman, API’s vp of downstream coverage.

The laws additionally has the assist of Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota, a co-sponsor of the invoice. Cramer’s assist is critical, as North Dakota is likely one of the prime oil-producing states, Fischer stated.

Organizations together with the API, the Renewable Fuels Affiliation (RFA) and the Nationwide Farmers Union wrote to congressional leaders this month to induce them to undertake laws to broaden nationwide E15 gross sales.

“We thank Sens. Fischer, Klobuchar, and different renewable gas supporters within the Senate for introducing this laws, which brings much-needed consistency and stability to {the marketplace},” stated RFA President Geoff Cooper, after Tuesday’s laws announcement.