My Weekly Column: A Historic Step Toward Nationwide Year-Round E15

After more than a decade of debate, delay, and Washington gridlock, the House has taken a historic step forward by passing nationwide year-round E15. This is a long-overdue victory for our farmers, energy producers, and families across the country. Drivers nationwide will now see the positive impact at the pump.

Representing one of the largest biofuels producing districts in the nation, home to both corn farmers and refiners, I’ve seen firsthand how critical ethanol and biofuels are to our rural economy. That is why I was honored to serve as co-chair of the Rural Domestic Energy Council, alongside Congresswoman Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma, where we worked to bring the voices of farmers, ethanol producers, fuel retailers, and refiners – both large and small – to find a mutually beneficial solution that works for everyone.

This didn’t happen overnight. While our Council has been actively working on this issue for months, the broader fight for year-round E15 has stretched back more than a decade. For too long, outdated regulations have blocked access to E15 when the demand is the highest, forcing reliance on temporary emergency waivers and allowing foreign countries to expand international market access, creating uncertainty for our producers and consumers alike.

This bill seeks to change that. By permanently authorizing year-round E15 nationwide, we are providing long-term certainty. It also includes targeted reforms to the Renewable Fuel Standard, particularly by creating a reasonable measure of certainty on small refinery exemptions to ease compliance.

The benefits of this bill are clear and significant. Nationwide E15 is projected to increase corn demand by 2.4 billion bushels, strengthening farm income and supporting rural communities. At the same time, it offers real savings for American drivers, up to an average of 30 cents per gallon and oftentimes more. Passage of this legislation could reduce our national annual fuel costs by as much as $20.6 billion.

At a time when farmers are facing rising input costs and tight margins, this kind of relief matters. Year-round E15 not only expands markets for our farmers but also strengthens our domestic energy supply, helping move the United States closer to truly unleashing American energy.

E15 is more than just a fuel blend. It represents American innovation and efficiency. From a single bushel of corn, we can produce ethanol, feed livestock, and create other valuable co-products, all while maintaining a stable food supply and improving sustainability. Our producers have proven that we can deliver food, fuel, and economic growth without compromise.

This is a commonsense policy that supports our farmers, lowers costs for consumers, and strengthens our national security through energy independence. After years of Washington gridlock, we’ve made real progress, and I am honored to help lead the effort to get this done.

Now, we must finish the job and have the Senate pass this bill to ensure this is fully implemented and allow Americans to reap the full benefits of year-round, nationwide, E15.