Smith bill would allow nationwide sale of E15 fuel year-round

In order to lower fuel costs and create stability in the marketplace, U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would allow for year-round availability of E15 fuel.

“Year-round E15 is a win-win as it boosts American energy independence and ensures greater affordability and opportunity for consumers as well as producers,” Rep. Smith said.

The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, H.R. 9455, was introduced on Dec. 7 by Rep. Smith and sponsored by Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN). It would extend the Reid vapor pressure volatility waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent to allow for the year-round nationwide sale of E15. In addition, it would prohibit the removal of the 1-psi waiver for E10 ethanol, the congressman’s office said, which would limit disruptions across the fuel supply chain.

Other original cosponsors of H.R. 9455 include U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Sam Graves (R-MO), and Ron Estes (R-KS).

H.R. 9455 is companion legislation to a Senate bill U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced, S. 5145, with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in November.

“E15 benefits the agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors,” Rep. Smith said. “There’s no reason not to extend to E15 the same regulatory relief currently provided to E10, and I thank Senator Fischer for her leadership on this in the Senate and Rep. Craig for her partnership on our bill in the House.”

Rep. Craig added: “I’m proud to have worked with Representative Smith on this bill to support our biofuel producers and farmers – and look forward to getting over the finish line.”

Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, said allowing for the nationwide sale of E-15 year-round is long overdue.

“The state of Nebraska is fortunate to have both Congressman Smith and Senator Fischer leading the bipartisan charge to make that happen,” McHargue said. “With the introduction of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act in both the House and the Senate, we are hopeful this issue will finally have the momentum it needs to become law.”