Smith, Fischer, Lawmakers Hold Press Conference Highlighting Grassroots Support for Year-Round E15
Washington, DC — Today, Congressional Biofuels Caucus Co-chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) were joined by additional members of Congress and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. to discuss the letter nearly 9,000 corn producers NCGA recently sent to congressional leadership in support of legislative action to codify year-round, nationwide access to ethanol blends up to 15 percent.
Quotations from the members remarks are below.
"Our agricultural producers face uncertainty every day, and in recent years, high fuel prices have hit Americans hard, forcing families to make tough decisions when filling their fuel tank," said Rep. Smith. "Meanwhile, unscientific and misguided barriers to E15 have blocked access to this affordable and sustainable energy source and sowed regulatory uncertainty. Lifting the restriction on nationwide year-round sale of E15 would unleash investment to contribute an estimated 66.3 billion dollars to U.S. GDP and 188,000 additional jobs. It was President Trump’s first administration which paved the way for summertime sales, and it’s now well past time that we provide market certainty through law."
“Congress must pass our Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 to fulfill President Trump’s pledge to allow the sale of year-round E15 and give America’s producers the certainty they deserve. It’s a win for consumers and a diverse group of stakeholders—including organizations in the petroleum, fuel marketing, and retail sectors—and it is exactly what the ethanol industry needs: permanent, nationwide access. I look forward to working with Congressman Smith, our colleagues in the House and Senate, and President Trump to get our bill signed into law,” said Senator Fischer.
“Especially as we face uncertainty in our foreign markets, increasing demand for corn domestically would be a much-needed boost for farmers and rural communities,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We appreciate the work of our allies in Congress who champion corn growers and our priorities and call on Congress to address this issue as soon as possible.”
“President Trump has already taken a significant step by allowing E15 to be sold year round across Midwestern states," Rep. Mike Flood. The next step is E15 for all — year round E15 in every state. E15 for all would stimulate our rural economy and support the hardworking farmers and producers who help fuel America. It is my hope that both chambers of Congress come together to work with the Trump administration towards this swiftly.”
POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels shared the following statement of support:
“By making E15 available year-round, we can bolster our ag economy, support U.S. energy independence, and lower prices at the pump,” said Joshua Shields, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for POET. “We’re grateful to see a large and growing coalition led by Representative Adrian Smith and members across the Capitol and across the nation fighting for this commonsense fix benefiting our farmers, rural communities, and the hardworking Americans who drive our economy forward.”
BACKGROUND:
On February 13, Smith and Fischer introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. Read more about the bipartisan, bicameral legislation here.
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