Listen to Rep. Adrian Smith's remarks
U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith is pushing back against what he called a “smear campaign” surrounding nationwide, year-round E15 sales as he continues advocating for expanded access to the fuel blend.
Smith, who co-chairs the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers Wednesday during a press conference in Washington to promote his Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The legislation would allow E15 gasoline to be sold year-round nationwide.
The Nebraska congressman said the policy would help lower fuel prices, expand markets for corn producers and strengthen American energy independence.
“The American people deserve access to affordable, reliable fuel options, and American producers deserve policies grounded in commonsense—not political gamesmanship,” Smith said during the event. “That is exactly what nationwide, year-round E15 delivers.”
Smith was joined at the press conference by National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower and fellow lawmakers including Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Michelle Fischbach and Shontel Brown.
E15 is a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol. Current federal regulations limit year-round sales in some areas of the country, though temporary waivers have allowed expanded summer sales in recent years.
During his remarks, Smith disputed criticism that the legislation would create new requirements for fuel retailers.
“Our opponents claim this legislation is an unfunded mandate. That is simply false,” Smith said. “My Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailers Choice Act does not require retailers to sell E15, nor does it force anyone to blend or market a new fuel product.”
Smith also argued E15 can help consumers save money at the pump, claiming the fuel blend lowers prices by an average of 30 cents per gallon.
The congressman tied the proposal directly to Nebraska’s agriculture economy, saying stronger domestic ethanol markets could increase corn demand by more than two billion bushels annually.
“Corn prices remain under pressure, and if Congress fails to create stronger domestic markets, we may once again be forced into expensive ad-hoc disaster assistance,” Smith said.
Smith said the debate ultimately centers on whether the country wants “more affordable fuel, stronger energy independence, and expanded markets for American agriculture.”