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ACE CEO says biofuels bill introduced in House checks a lot of boxes

The CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol says legislation introduced in the House covers a laundry list of biofuel priorities.

Brian Jennings tells Brownfield the Homefront Energy Independence Act would ensure E15 could be sold year-round in all parts of the country.

“That’s critically important to us. But (the bill) would also establish tax credits for E15 and higher blends, it would direct the EPA to finalize an E15 rulemaking that was initiated under the Trump administration, and help with some infrastructure assistance for higher blends.”

A companion bill was recently introduced in the Senate, and while Jennings doubts the legislation will be signed into law in time for the summer driving season, he says it sends a strong message.

“That there are a growing number of Republicans and Democrats in Congress who are not happy with the fact that we’re staring at the possibility of losing the E15 market in the conventional gasoline areas and want to do something about it.”

Current EPA regulations prohibit the sale of E15 in about 70 percent of the U.S. between June and mid-September.

The bill was introduced by Representatives Angie Craig of Minnesota, Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Randy Feenstra and Ashley Hinson both of Iowa.