SC Nebraska News

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, has expressed his support for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) emergency waiver allowing E15 sales this summer. In a statement, Rep. Smith emphasized the importance of this decision, stating, “Restrictions on E15 are outdated and backwards, and the EPA has taken the right action to waive unnecessary red tape as we head into the summer months."

Highlighting the benefits of ethanol blends, Rep. Smith noted, "As a renewable source of energy, ethanol blends help relieve costs for consumers, provide flexibility for producers, and boost American energy independence." However, he also stressed the need for a more permanent solution, stating, "ongoing emergency waivers are not a long-term solution," and expressing his commitment to advancing legislation such as the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to ensure year-round access to E15.

Rep. Smith's advocacy for E15 is not new, as he first introduced a bill to approve year-round sale of E15 back in 2015. Recently, he joined a bipartisan group in urging President Biden to issue the necessary waiver for year-round sale of E15 and introduced the Year-Round E15 Act with Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) to further expand the sale of E15 in 2024.

As discussions around biofuels and energy policies continue, Rep. Adrian Smith remains dedicated to promoting the use of E15 and advocating for long-term solutions to support its accessibility and benefits for consumers and producers alike.