Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced a new bill that puts into law a ban on Russian oil and opens up the use and production of American biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel.
The Home Front Energy Independence Act combines parts of several of the senators’ past bills that would make E15 available year round, establish an E15 and Biodiesel Tax Credit, direct EPA to finalize their E15 labeling rule, and provide for biofuel infrastructure and compatibility with retailers. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) are cosponsoring the bill.
Clean Fuels Alliance America Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik said the bill would help biodiesel and renewable diesel continue growing. “We appreciate the Senators’ continued support for a new program to match investments in biodiesel infrastructure and improve consumer access to clean fuels. Over the past decade, the contribution that biodiesel and renewable diesel have made to America‘s fuel supply has kept fuel prices down by an average of 31 cents per gallon.”
Another bipartisan group of senators led by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote a letter this week urging President Biden to permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel.
“As the United States joins global partners in seeking to hold accountable and isolate the Russian Federation for its unprovoked assault on Ukraine, we must deny Russia’s economic lifeblood of energy dominance,” the senators wrote. “This will require tapping every accessible contribution of American energy technology. As you know, American biofuels are one such readily available energy solution that offer consumers affordable and cleaner options at the pump.”
“The emergency action recommended by these Senators would remove a key roadblock that restricts consumer access to lower-priced E15, and we encourage EPA to immediately act upon this request.” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper.