House passes bill to boost ethanol with year-round sales of higher blends in fuel

E15 is gasoline blended with 10.5% to 15% ethanol. It is restricted from sale during the summer because of the concern that it can create smog. But the Trump administration has been pursuing year-round E15 fuel sales to help reduce gas prices. The higher-blend fuel is typically cheaper than E10 gasoline. 

The bill split Republican leadership, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) voting no, whereas Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) voted yes. The bill passed with the support of 122 Republicans and 95 Democrats.

Republicans have been negotiating the year-round blended fuel sales since January, with GOP leadership promising farm-state Republicans that the measure would receive a floor vote. Republicans created an E15 task force in January to propose legislation on E15. 

The Environmental Protection Agency in March announced an emergency waiver to allow E15 gasoline sales. The waiver went into effect on May 1 through 20, as part of an effort to lower gas prices that have soared due to the war in Iran. 

Republicans came close to passing an E15 measure last month. GOP leadership promised rural Republicans that E15 would be included in the long-awaited Farm Bill, but negotiations fell apart on the House floor after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) promised Republican hardliners that a final vote on the farm bill would be delayed to hammer out the details concerning E15 sales. The delay angered rural Republicans, who wanted to see the farm bill passed. GOP leadership struck a deal with them to decouple the farm bill and E15, and hold a stand-alone vote on year-round sales of the ethanol blend on the House floor on May 13.

Republican lawmakers from states with oil interests have resisted expanding E15, as small refiners have warned that it would raise their costs. But representatives of states such as Iowa have pushed for it, as it would benefit corn farmers.

Ahead of votes, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on House lawmakers to pass the legislation.

“Farmers need strong domestic markets that will help support long-term farm viability and grow rural communities,” Duvall said in a statement. 

The portion of the bill that changes the Renewable Fuel Standard would disadvantage small refineries by limiting the EPA’s ability to grant them exemptions from requirements that they include certain amounts of biofuels in their products.

Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) opposed the bill on the grounds that it “cripples” small refiners.

During the House floor debate, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said, “If we need to do something to support farmers, let’s have a direct conversation about it, but expanding E15 is just the wrong direction to go because it’s going to harm refiners.