WASHINGTON — Corn grower leaders joined Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Congressional biofuels leaders at a press conference on Capitol Hill today to push for passage of legislation that would extend consumer access to fuels with 15% ethanol blends, known as E15 and Unleaded 88.
“Eliminating barriers to high blends of ethanol would be good for farmers and the economy,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “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.
The press conference comes as corn grower leaders push for a way to use the legislative process to eliminate an obsolete policy that bans the sale of E15 during the summer months.
Corn growers have intensified efforts in recent months to convince Congress to act to extend consumer access to E15.
Nearly 9,000 corn growers and advocates from across the country signed a letter sent last week to House and Senate leaders calling for action on the issue.
Growers had hoped that E15 access would be included in the continuing resolution that is being voted on this week, but that bill, packaged to keep the government funded, did not include mention of the language when it was introduced on Sunday.
“We are very disappointed that extended access to E15 was not included in the continuing resolution,” Hartman noted during the press conference. “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.”
In February, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was introduced in both chambers of Congress with the support of congressional allies.
In addition to Rep. Smith, those speaking at the press conference today were Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Nikki Budzinski (R-Ill.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.)
—National Corn Growers Association
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