The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) for reintroducing bipartisan legislation that would create a renewable fuel infrastructure grant program and ease certain restrictions that currently discourage retailers from offering cleaner, greener ethanol blends to consumers.
“We thank Senators Klobuchar and Ernst for their determined efforts to drive investment in our nation’s renewable fuels infrastructure,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “If enacted, this legislation would greatly expand the availability of low-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol in the marketplace, resulting in cleaner air, lower fuel prices and a more vibrant rural economy. We know retailers want to offer smarter fuel options to their customers, but antiquated regulatory burdens often prevent them from moving ahead. This legislation would ensure that overly restrictive provisions are streamlined or removed, allowing small businesses across the nation to provide cleaner and more affordable options to American drivers.”
The Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers. The bill also directs EPA to finalize a proposed rule to repeal pump labeling requirements that confuse and deter drivers from using E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. Finally, the legislation directs EPA to finalize provisions from the same proposed rule to allow certain existing underground storage tanks to store higher blends of ethanol.
