WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed the introduction today of the Ethanol for America Act—a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would simplify labeling and infrastructure requirements for fuel retailers seeking to offer E15, a fuel blend made with 15% American ethanol that saves consumers money and can be used in more than 96% of vehicles on the road today.
“Consumer demand for E15 grows each year, but onerous labeling and underground tank requirements have prevented many retailers from expanding access to better options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud Senators Ernst and Klobuchar and Reps. Smith and Budzinski for spearheading the push to complete the work that EPA started during President Trump’s first term and eliminate needless barriers standing between U.S. consumers and lower-cost E15. This important effort will put more homegrown energy into the marketplace, reduce prices at the pump, and open critical new markets for U.S. farmers and biofuel producers.”
The Ethanol for America Act would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize proposed rulemaking from 2021 that would allow existing fuel infrastructure to be used with E15, instead of just regular E10. The bill would also require fuel retailers to use a simplified E15 label on their pumps and allow them to demonstrate partial component compatibility without having to upgrade entire systems, among other provisions.