Today, President Biden will be in Menlo, where it is expected that he will be removing restrictions on summertime E15 sales. This comes at a time when motorists are paying higher gas prices due to the situation in the Ukraine and economic retaliations against Russia. Russia supplies a large supply of oil to Europe and a smaller percentage of the U.S. supply.
This move comes as pressure has been mounting from Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle pushing for biofuels to be better used in the Administration?s fight on greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental goals. Supporters of biofuels have long been touting to President Biden that there is an immediate solution available to start the process of reaching the Administration?s goals. While the message had seemingly shown that Biden was more committed to electric vehicles.
The National Corn Growers Association released a statement this morning, thanking the President for using his emergency powers to help alleviate pain at the pump and bring biofuels to the forefront as a solution. Iowa Farmer Chris Edgington is NCGA President.
?Corn growers thank President Biden 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. Farmers are proud to contribute to cleaner, less expensive fuel choices.?
The Iowa Corn Growers Association also weighed in with their support of the President?s Decision:
?Farmers are proud to be called upon to be part of the solution for consumers to have access to homegrown, clean-burning and more affordable E15,? said Lance Lillibridge, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a farmer from Vinton. ?We thank the Biden Administration for removing barriers for E15 to have access to the marketplace throughout the summer of 2022. Biofuels are climate-friendly fuels. E15 can be used to fuel over ninety-seven percent of vehicles on the road today, as well as save drivers real money at the pump.?
Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association had this to say:
?With high fuel prices and energy security at the forefront of Americans? minds, allowing nationwide sales of E15 is the single most important step the President is empowered to take to keep fuel costs down this summer while also promoting American-made energy, and we applaud President Biden for taking it,? stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. ?It would have made no sense during this time of oil embargoes and high gasoline prices to let ridiculous and unnecessary restrictions on E15 force thousands of Iowans and millions of Americans to pay higher fuel prices. E15 can now continue to bring relief at the pump throughout 2022.
?We thank President Biden for listening to the united voice of motorists, retailers, farmers and ethanol producers,? stated Shaw. ?We would be remiss if we didn?t also recognize the hard work of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, and all members of Iowa?s Congressional delegation who worked on a bipartisan basis to encourage the President to take this step.?
The Iowa Delegation in Congress has been united across party lines to make this happen. Statements are coming in from them as well.
Screenshot of Ashley Hinson’s Twitter Acct.
Brent Barnett will be at the event in Menlo this afternoon, and will have more for us tomorrow.
