Illinois Congresswoman Bustos Applauds President Biden’s Action to Allow Summer Sales of E15
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s emergency action to allow summer sales of E15 to help reduce gas prices. E15 is currently selling for up to 60 cents cheaper per gallon than traditional gasoline.
“With Putin’s price hike driving high gas prices nationwide, it’s essential that we take action to cut prices at the pump. Today’s emergency action from President Biden to allow summer sales for E15 is the right choice for consumers, family farmers and our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “By blending our fuel with homegrown ethanol, this decision will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, bolster our domestic fuel supply, support jobs in the Heartland and save consumers up to 60 cents per gallon. I applaud President Biden for taking this emergency action and I’ll continue working with my colleagues on the House Biofuels Caucus to ensure year-round sales of E15 continue into the future.”
According to Growth Energy, if the entire nation moved to E15 year-round, consumers would save $12.2 billion on fuel each year. Moving to nationwide E15 would also create demand for an additional 2.4 billion bushels of corn annually, which would provide an economic lift for rural America.
Cheri Bustos
In Congress, Bustos has long worked to ensure year-round availability of E15 – and has prioritized nationwide investments in renewable biofuels that help support economic growth in rural communities. Late last month, Bustos joined nearly thirty bipartisan Members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to prioritize homegrown, renewable biofuels as a replacement for Russian energy sources – which also called for an emergency waiver to allow summer sales of E15. Bustos also introduced the Home Front Energy Independence Act, which would expand the production and availability of American biofuels in an effort to lower energy costs for working families and support economic growth in rural communities.
“Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is welcome news for all American drivers who depend on continued access to lower-cost options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Lifting outdated and unnecessary summertime restrictions on E15 will ensure year-round access to a fuel that we’ve recently seen in the marketplace saving drivers as much as 50 or 60 cents a gallon, offering working families relief at the pump at a time when they need it most. We are grateful to President Biden for this decision and for the key voices – like those of Secretary Vilsack and Representative Bustos – who have helped advocate for American biofuels as a solution to rising gasoline prices.”
“We sincerely thank Congresswoman Bustos for her consistent efforts to ensure American drivers have year-round access to E15—the lowest-cost, lowest-carbon fuel available at the pump today. Her bold advocacy was critical to securing the important actions announced today by President Biden. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Congresswoman Bustos, President Biden, and other leaders throughout Congress and the administration, drivers in Illinois and across the country will benefit from the lower prices and cleaner air provided by higher ethanol blends like E15,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper.
“Corn growers thank President Biden, Rep. Bustos and all of our congressional allies for ensuring drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice and for acknowledging how renewable ethanol helps reduce prices, lower emissions and improve our nation’s energy security,” said Iowa farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington. “Farmers are proud to contribute to cleaner, less expensive fuel choices.”
