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US Senators reintroduce a bill that would allow nationwide, year-round E15 sales

On Thursday, U.S. Senators reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would allow year-round nationwide sales of gasoline containing a higher percentage of ethanol. The plan has the backing of an influential oil trade group.

Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska introduced the bill along with Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. She said that it would eliminate patchwork regulations which would restrict the availability of E15 blends in some areas.

Biofuel producers and corn farmers have long sought year-round E15 sales. They would both benefit from a larger market.

Fischer and Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota introduced the first bill in 2023. The government restricts the sale of E15 in summer due to concerns about smog. However, biofuels say that these are unfounded.

If passed, the legislation would nullify a request by governors in the Midwest that would have allowed expanded sales of E15 to their states later this year. This request, which was approved by the Biden Administration in February 2024, is less attractive to industry players than a nationwide legislation. Some groups are concerned that it could lead to localized fuel prices spikes and supply problems.

The American Petroleum Institute (API), an oil trade association that has sometimes been at odds with biofuels, supported Fischer's bill.

Will Hupman is the vice president for downstream policy at API. He said that year-round nationwide E15 sales would prevent a confusing patchwork state regulations, and provide consumers with reliable access to fuels they use daily.

Biofuels industry is pleased

Emily Skor is the CEO of Growth Energy, the U.S. trade association for biofuels. Reporting by Stephanie Kelly, New York; editing by Nia William)

(source: Reuters)