Corn, Cars and Cheaper Gas: Lawmakers Push for Year-Round E15

Representative Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) is pushing for year-round E15 biofuel availability after evaluating the biofuels policy's impact on local agriculture.

E15 is a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol, making it a domestically produced yet lower-cost fuel option that is not yet available year-round. During an event at John Deere’s Power Electronic Systems facility, Rep. Fedorchak heard from farmers, ethanol producers, fuel retailers, and industry leaders to discuss how increasing access would help state economies.

“Year-round E15 would create additional demand for North Dakota corn, support good-paying jobs, strengthen American energy security and give families a lower-cost choice at the pump,” Rep. Fedorchak said.

According to a joint study from the biofuels and corn industry, year-round E15 will add $25.8 billion to the U.S. economy and create 128,000 jobs. Rep. Fedorchak said these economic benefits prove that expanding access to year-round E15 is an important opportunity for farmers, workers, and consumers.

“North Dakota farmers are the best in the world, but they need strong, reliable markets for what they produce,” Rep. Fedorchak said.

But year-round use of E15 biofuel would not just help North Dakota.

Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) has advocated for this since May, arguing in a Washington Examiner opinion piece that Congress must consider how this fuel option could directly benefit consumers. But he said restrictions on E15 must be removed and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) reformed in order to do so.

“This fight to allow year-round E15 and reform the RFS has festered for over 20 years, with biofuels producers, large refineries and small refineries all fiercely defending their interests,” Rep. Arrington said. “As a result, restrictions on E15 remain in place, and the cost of the RFS keeps ballooning.”

Rep. Moran and Rep. Fedorchak have both introduced similar legislation to achieve this, but nothing has been signed into law. The two members of Congress said they will continue fighting for this cause until legislation passes both chambers.

“It’s a win for the biofuel industry. It’s a win for refiners of all sizes,” Rep. Moran said. “But, most importantly, it’s a win for the free market and the American people who are paying more at the pump. Now is the time to work together to bring a sensible solution.”