CLINTON COUNTY – After months
of bipartisan pressure led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst
(R-Iowa), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, President Biden today
announced plans to lift the ban on sales of E15 this summer.
“I’m glad President Biden is finally
listening to what Senator Ernst and I have been saying for months. Biofuels
consistently provide consumers with a more affordable fuel option, and Iowa
producers stand ready to meet the moment and ramp up production to lower gas
prices for all Americans. Unlike tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
and begging OPEC for more dirty oil, this is a step toward energy independence,
lower gas prices and cleaner air,” said
Grassley.
“Since early last year, Senator Grassley
and I have been pushing this administration to lift the ban on E15 by the
summer driving season – and at long last, the president has relented. Home
grown ethanol is a cleaner, cheaper choice for consumers, and Iowa’s biofuel
producers are ready to meet the demand. This announcement is certainly welcome
news for Iowans,” said Ernst.
- Immediately
following a court decision last summer that temporarily struck down E15
year-round, Grassley promised to fight to restore summertime E15 sales;
- Grassley and
Ernst joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues to reintroduce the Consumer
and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow retailers across the country to sell E15 and other
higher-ethanol fuel blends year-round;
- Grassley and
senators from top biofuel-producing states repeatedly pressed President Biden
for a meeting
to discuss biofuel policy, including E15 year-round;
- Last month,
Grassley joined Ernst in introducing the Home
Front Energy Independence Act, which included a provision that would make E15 available year-round
to provide consumers with a more affordable fuel option.
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