Ernst Pushes to Remove Regulatory Roadblocks, Expand Consumer Access to Homegrown Biofuels

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is working to eliminate unnecessary barriers and make it easier for Americans to fuel their vehicles with homegrown E15.

She introduced her bipartisan Ethanol for America Act with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize rulemaking from 2021 to make the E15 fuel label clearer and more consumer-oriented. It would also confirm the compatibility of E15 with existing underground fuel storage and dispensing equipment, ensuring business owners are not required to make costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes.

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) have co-signed this bill. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House.

“It’s no secret that access to E15 creates lower prices at the pump for consumers, value added to homegrown crops, stronger rural communities, and domestic energy dominance,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m working to remove regulatory roadblocks and ensure biofuels are offered to folks filling up their cars using existing infrastructure at local gas stations across our nation. We cannot allow outdated red tape to stand in the way of unleashing the benefits of E15.”

"I’ve long been a strong advocate for year-round E15, having seen firsthand the benefits it brings to consumers at the pump and to the farmers across Central and Southern Illinois,” said Representative Nikki Budzinski. “We should be doing everything we can to expand access, not create barriers, which is why I’m proud to join Representative Smith and Senators Ernst and Klobuchar in this important push for E15 storage and availability."

“Estimates show access to E15 at the fuel pump can save consumers up to 30 cents per gallon,” said Representative Adrian Smith.“This bipartisan bill recognizes E15 compatibility with existing infrastructure and reduces red tape for retailers who wish to provide consumers with more options at the pump. I thank Rep. Budzinski and Sens. Ernst and Klobuchar for their collaboration.”

“E15 is good, good, good: good for consumers, good for the environment and good for our national security. Today, we’re sending a strong message in support of E15, urging the administration to recognize its benefits,” said Senator Grassley. “Much of our infrastructure for E10 can accommodate E15, and taking our requested actions would bolster our energy security, reduce costs for consumers and support rural America.”

“Approving the use of existing equipment for E15 is a common-sense, vital step forward. Sen. Ernst led on this issue during the first Trump Administration and IRFA members are greatly excited the Senator is pushing forward. Farmers need new markets today, and E15 is the best near-term option,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “There is no need to waste billions of dollars and several years replacing equipment that is perfectly suitable for E15 due to an outdated federal regulation. IRFA hailed President Trump’s effort 5 years ago and we were deeply disappointed when it was sidelined during the last administration. Sen. Ernst’s legislation is a great way to get this process moving again.”

“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 Senator Ernst 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.”

“We thank Sens. Ernst and Klobuchar for introducing this commonsense legislation, which would lower pump prices for American consumers, bolster our nation’s energy security, and open new markets for our nation’s family farmers,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The most effective way to keep a lid on gas prices is to expand and diversify the domestic fuel supply with higher ethanol blends like E15. Knocking down regulatory barriers and allowing E15 to be stored and distributed in existing infrastructure will lower fuel costs for Americans and strengthen the market’s resilience against global supply disruptions.”

Additionally, Ernst is leading with 16 of her colleagues in sending a corresponding letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, calling on him to deem existing fuel infrastructure compatible with E15 and outlining that:

• Research shows underground storage tanks and dispensing equipment compatible with E10 are also compatible with E15;
• E15 is approved for 96% of vehicles on the road today with over 160 billion miles driven using E15, proving it is a safe and reliable choice;
• E15 routinely offers lower prices—saving drivers 10 to 30 cents per gallon—and approving current infrastructure avoids costly upgrades for retailers; and
• Expanding E15 access boosts demand for U.S.-grown corn and strengthens farm incomes, helping create domestic markets for agricultural products.

Background:

Ernst has long championed biofuel infrastructure. She was instrumental in creating and maintaining the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) as part of her commitment to invest in renewable fuel infrastructure, rural job opportunities, and hardworking farmers. She introduced the Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Production Market Expansion Act, which was the blueprint for what would eventually become HBIIP, helping provide resources to retailers for purchasing more compatible biofuel infrastructure.

More broadly, throughout her time in Congress, Ernst has been a strong advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels. Since 2015, she has supported legislation to permanently allow the nationwide sale of year-round E15. She looks forward to continuing to work with the Trump administration to make it a permanent reality.

In April 2025, Ernst and the entire Iowa delegation urged President Trump to issue an emergency waiver, which would make E15 available across the country and utilize the strength of American agriculture to provide energy independence. In May 2025, Ernstthanked the Trump administration for delivering on their promise to support the biofuel industry and unleash E15 for the 2025 summer months.

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