The administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency says the most effective way to allow year-round E-15 sales is through Congressional action. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Lee Zeldin told lawmakers, “That is the most durable and easiest solution to this issue.”
Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer said her bill, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleash the power of year-round E15 and will eliminate the emergency waivers that EPA has issued the last six years. “We need to pass a permanent solution and not have your agency go through this product every single year,” according to Senator Fischer.
Zeldin said a permanent solution will allow his agency to be more efficient and focus on other issues.
When asked about improving EPA’s efficiency by passing Senator Fischer’s E-15 legislation, Administrator Zeldin said that “Yes, Senator, as the Chair pointed out, I’ve been in the position a little over 100 days, and I have had many, many, many meetings about this topic. And a lot of passionate advocacy from, including you, Senator, and your colleagues and your constituents. If Congress was to finalize a long-term, durable solution, so much of that advocacy on your part, all of your time can be better spent fighting for other priorities of your constituents.”