A move to bring nationwide access to ethanol gasoline took a major step forward recently.

Iowa’s Third Congressional District Representative Zach Nunn says the US House passed the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Choice Act, which includes allowing E-15 ethanol to be sold across the country year-round. Nunn states that never before has there been a vote like this in Congress that will help support Iowans.

“And the reality here is that this is a homegrown, Iowa-made biofuel. It’s $0.30 cheaper and it’s nearly 50 percent cleaner than what we’ve got out of the fossil fuel side. But, it’s an all the above solution and I’m thrilled that we made E-15 a top priority. We’ve been fighting on this, we’ve got good legislation that helps growers here in Iowa have a domestic market to sell to.”    

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says it is only through congressional action that E-15 can be permanently sold year round across the country, instead of having to rely on every presidential administration whether or not they will issue an emergency waiver that would allow for E-15 access in the summer months. Naig talks about the challenges that people are facing today and how this vote shows the need for E-15 year round.

“But look, this comes at a time when there’s uncertainty in the supply chain, fuel prices are up. So what we know here is it’s good for farmers because it’s corn demand, it’s good for our ethanol industry and jobs, it’s good for our environment because it’s cleaner burning, but it is good for consumers. Why would we not want that benefit to be available to all Americans? Iowans, when it’s available (ethanol gasoline) they pump it.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.