On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives was able to pass legislation that would allow E15 to permanently be sold year-round. By unleashing ethanol production, demand for corn can increase, fuel prices can go down, and America can become more energy independent. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, who earlier this year was appointed to serve as co-chair of the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, said this legislation has been in the works for a long time.
While the bill passed narrowly on a vote of 218 to 203, it did have strong bipartisan support. Feenstra said he is confident that the bill will make it out of the Senate and over to the President’s desk.
Over the past few years, consumers have been able to enjoy E15 year-round due to the issuance of summertime waivers. However, since there is generally a battle to get that waiver issued each year, ethanol producers have been forced to remain cautious with their production levels or else risk having a supply with no ability to sell it. If this legislation can be signed into law, Feenstra said ethanol producers will finally have some much-needed certainty.
The farm economy is the backbone of our state, and Feenstra said there are still plenty of things to do, like lowering fertilizer costs, in order to help out Iowa farmers.
For more information, visit feenstra.house.gov.
