Ernst: E15 Helps Keep Gas Prices Affordable, Creates Market Demand for Farmers

WASHINGTON – Today during a Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) called to expand domestic markets and increase consumption of homegrown biofuels by making permanent, year-round E15 a reality.

As a long-time supporter of E15, Ernst emphasized that Congress “should be looking at every opportunity” to expand American biofuel consumption, noting that “energy security is national security, and higher ethanol blends can help keep gas prices affordable here at home.”

Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks  here.

Following Ernst’s questioning, President of the National Corn Growers Association Jed Bower agreed with her by saying, “This is a prime time to bring that strength and domestic production up so we're less reliant on all the foreign countries. It's so much better. We grow a product here. We can produce it here. We can burn it here. It's a perfect opportunity for the American farmer and the American people.”

President of the American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall also supported Ernst by saying,“E15 is a no brainer. It's a win, win, win. It's a win for consumers. Win for the farmer.”

Ernst continued to highlight her efforts to fully unleash homegrown American biofuels through 45Z, urging the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture to work together on a final rule that recognizes a wide array of on-farm practices and truly puts farmers first.

Background:

Ernst’s bipartisan Ethanol for America Act would remove regulatory roadblocks and ensure E15 can be offered to folks filling up their cars using existing infrastructure at local gas stations across our nation.

Ernst has continued to work to secure permanent year-round E15 following President Trump’s announcement in Iowa earlier this year.

###