After two years of meetings, negotiations, and legislating, the Biofuels Access Bill is ready to be signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. This legislation is offering more access to E15 to consumers. Now the bill was not without its opposition, but Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says that in the end, it is just about being able to offer a choice to consumers.
Shaw says that he is pleased to see Iowa take the lead on biofuels policy. He breaks down what this bill does to help retailers around the state, and how it will offer a choice at the pump.
Like with any legislation there was opposition. Organizations countered that this would put an undue burden on smaller retailers. Shaw argues that it is simply not the case. He adds that having retailers close means fewer sales of E10, forget about E15 for the moment. Why would they want to see less ethanol be sold period?
Shaw closed by saying that this all allows retailers to get out from under the thumb of oil companies whose contracts prohibit the sale of E15. He says that this has also been an obstacle in getting more choices at the pump.
