Farm-state Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) unveiled a bill to allow year-round sale of E15 and other blends of ethanol higher than the traditional 10%, with a big difference: support of the oil industry. The legislation, supported by the American Petroleum Institute (API), would mark a huge win for the ethanol industry and corn farmers who have repeatedly tried to expand sales of E15 but have faced hurdles. While it is unknown if the bill has the support it needs to pass both the House and Senate to become law, the backing of the oil industry has lifted a notable political obstacle.
“We have good support,” Fischer told Reuters. “When you look at the impact it’ll have, especially on the central part of the United States, the Midwest and part of the south, I think that’s extremely important.”
“By allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide while also preserving access to lower ethanol gasoline blends, this bipartisan legislation strengthens the reliability of the fuel supply chain and ensures American consumers have access to the fuels they depend on every day,” said Will Hupman, API’s vice president of downstream policy.
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