Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) sat down with Agri-Pulse Editor-in-Chief Philip Brasher Monday during the Ag and Food Policy Summit and explained what the real issue is with E15 legislation in Congress as he sees it.

Boozman said it started last year when Big Oil suddenly came out opposed to year-round E15. “And then they came out a few months ago, and said, we’re for it, but you’ve got to get rid of these small refineries. And I happen to have one in my state. It’s the only refinery in my state that produces gasoline and jet fuel, things like that, literally serves the entire southern part of our state, including the jet fuel for our airport in Little Rock. So it’s a big deal,” said Boozman, adding that is the case with refineries in several other states, which puts lawmakers like him in a difficult position. “So we’re very much in favor of getting E-15 done. I’m very much in favor of the Fisher Bill, you know, that does that, but I’m not in favor of somehow the big oil refineries, forcing consolidation with a smaller one, especially during this time.”

Boozman believes Congress ultimately can get it done, and it possibly can be included in the Senate version of the farm bill. “I’m also on the Environment and Public Works Committee….What we need to do is get them to sign off on it. So we’re talking to them, and ..if we can get that signed off, you know, we would be glad to stick it in there.”

Boozman added that E15 is at the top of Senator Thune’s priorities. “He understands, he wants to get these things done, and is counting on us to to push it forward.”

Listen to Sen. Boozman at the Agri-Pulse Summit:
Agri-Pulse Summit Sen. Boozman 24:16