NCGA support legislation extending access to higher ethanol blends

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded members of the House and Senate for introducing legislation that would extend year-round consumer access to fuels with up to 15 percent blends of ethanol, often referred to as E15. The legislation, called the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, would remove an obsolete policy that prevents the sale of E15 during the summer months. The legislation was met with praise from the nation’s corn grower leaders.

The current policy preventing summer sales of E15 has left corn growers who rely on the sale of ethanol with a great deal of uncertainty. Drivers have also been faced with higher gas prices during the summer vacation season.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued waivers over the last few years. But growers and many Midwest governors have called for a permanent fix to the problem. Today’s legislation would offer that solution. The bills are led in the House by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). Senate leads are Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill).

Language in the current legislation was originally included in a continuing resolution to fund the government in December but was struck before that legislation was passed. Corn grower leaders at the time expressed their dismay with that development but are now more optimistic about the chances of advancing this legislation.