Earlier this month, President Biden visited Iowa and announced that E15 fuel would be allowed to be sold across the country from June to September.
For years Iowans have been touting the benefits of increased ethanol production and increasing the use of biofuels. I applaud the decision to finally listen to the Iowa delegations’ calls to allow for summertime sales of E15 and I strongly encourage a move toward permanent year-round sales.
Consumers should always be provided with choices as it promotes competition for businesses and lowers the costs of goods and services. One of the many benefits of E15 is that it is cheaper than other unleaded blends of gasoline.
Additionally, due to the higher levels of octane, E15 promotes greater overall engine efficiency and power. E15 fuel has also been noted to be more environmentally friendly.
Vehicles using ethanol-based fuels emit less carbon dioxide compared to other fuel sources. Ethanol and biofuels are efficient, consumer-friendly, and clean sources of energy.
This decision will be welcomed by farmers across Iowa and the United States. Farmers can now sell their excess corn to be turned into fuel, which increases profits and provides a clean and cost-effective source of fuel to consumers. Because of the benefits to consumers and producers, I do not see why the Administration delayed its decision to allow for these sales, especially with the United States ceasing trade with Russia because of its unlawful invasion of Ukraine.
Iowans know that ethanol and biofuels are cleaner and more cost-effective than anything you can get from Russia. Congress and the Administration took appropriate steps to ban the import of Russian oil; now we need to act to replace those energy sources.
We should not be begging dictators in countries like Venezuela and Iran to increase production when we have plenty of resources at home. Increasing biofuels production will also allow the United States to support our allies around the world as they look to reduce dependence on Russia by cutting off imports of dirtier Russian oil and gas.
Biofuels are incredibly important to Iowa’s economy, putting money in the pockets of our producers and creating countless jobs across our state. As America moves to completely cut off Russian and external energy imports, allowing summer E-15 sales is a great step toward increasing our domestic energy production and ensuring American energy independence.
