The renewable fuel industry saw a wave of attention on Capitol Hill this month with the House and Senate pushing year-round E15 legislation last week and the Senate reintroducing the Next Generation Fuels Act on Wednesday.
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led the reintroduction along with Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
Background on Next Gen Fuels Act
Numerous representatives backed the first Next Generation Fuels Act in 2021, which aims to “promote low-carbon, high-octane fuels, to protect public health, and to improve vehicle efficiency and performance,” according to the bill.
Related story: New Legislation Could Put E30 on a Pump Near You
Included in the legislation are requirements for:
1. Manufacturers to design vehicles with E20 blend capabilities in their non-flex fuel vehicles and E30 blends.
2. Fuel retailers to offer the respective higher-octane options as the non-flex fuel vehicles are made available to the public.
Ethanol Industry Responds
Industry stakeholders, including Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, shared a round of applause for the legislation, which would lower greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent.
Skor says the fuel industry has only “scratched the surface” of ethanol potential. She feels this act will help unleash ethanol’s capabilities.
“The Next Generation Fuels Act recognizes that ethanol is the only fuel available today that can be immediately deployed to decrease our nation’s carbon emissions, decrease our reliance on foreign oil, and decrease fuel costs for American families all at once,” said Skor in a press release.
Renewable Fuel Association’s legislative pitch is geared more toward climate, according to CEO Geoff Cooper.
“We hear a lot of talk from this administration about the need to reduce emissions from the transportation sector,” Cooper says. “We’ve been saying this legislation would help them accomplish their goals, which are our goals too. We have the, the ability to do that today with higher blends like E20 and E30.”
Related story: Is E15 Permanently Approved to be Sold Year-Round?
On the Senate floor, Grassley mirrored Skor’s comments.
“Instead of continuing to buy more oil from foreign adversaries, we should be increasing the use of ethanol made by biofuel producers right here in the United States. [This] act would help put America back on the path to energy independence while easing the pain at the pump,” said Grassley. “It’s good for consumers, good for farmers and biofuel producers, and good for the environment.”
