Sen. Smith Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permit Year-Round Sale of Higher Blends of Ethanol

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Tina Smith joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced a bipartisan bill to permit the year-round sale of E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. This legislation follows the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruling against year-round sales of E15. Original bill cosponsors also include Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Thune (R-SD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Roger Marshall (R-KS).

"I'm very disappointed in the D.C. Court ruling to overturn year-round sales of E-15," said Smith. "Our country needs smart climate solutions like E-15--an affordable, cleaner fuel that lowers carbon emissions. The court's decision is also a major blow to Minnesota's farm economy, where ethanol made from corn creates an estimated $6.7 billion in economic output. I'm going to fight to restore year-round sales of E-15 as soon as possible."

"We must work to diversify our fuel supply and invest in affordable, environmentally-friendly solutions for consumers. For the past three years, we've seen that making E15 gasoline accessible to drivers year-round is good for drivers, farmers, and the environment. It's critical that we pass this bipartisan legislation to continue this progress and stay on the path to a greener future," said Klobuchar.

"The recent D.C. Circuit Court ruling was a major blow to farmers and ethanol producers, and further highlighted the need to provide them with certainty. My legislation will ensure consumers continue to have access to higher ethanol blends at the pump and that E15 can be sold year-round. It will create significant economic opportunities for the hardworking men and women in rural America who are providing the country with a low-carbon solution," said Fischer.

"E15 and higher blend biofuels expand markets for family farmers, support economic growth in rural America and cut down on dangerous pollutants released into the air we breathe," said Craig. "It's long past time that the year-round sale of these renewable fuels was made permanent, expanding the market for lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel choices all across America. I'm proud to work with Representative Smith on this critical legislation to support our biofuels producers and family farmers, while expanding options at the pump for consumers across the country."

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