News

Senator Ernst not optimistic about summer return of E15

An Iowa Senator is not optimistic about seeing E15 fuel at the pumps this summer.

Joni Ernst tells Brownfield, “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to offer that E15 because of the bad deal that was presented by Administrator (Scott) Pruitt.”

Ernst says the current law will allow E15 back on the market September 15^th, but she’s not sure that can be moved up.  “Is there a way so we could work it so we could get it earlier?  I don’t know about that.  We do have to go through regulation and the rulemaking process, and Administrator Pruitt has been dragging his feet on that as evidenced by missing this June 1st deadline.”

Ernst says President Trump made the right decision turning down a proposal that would have allowed year-round E15 nationwide in return for Renewable Identification Number credits on ethanol exports, but says there’s work to do before getting E15 as a year-round option.  “He is really trying to help us out here and be a promoter of renewable fuels, so if it does come to an executive order, then so be it.  We will have to work through this eventually at some point through Congress as well, I believe.”

Senator Joni Ernst talks about E15 with Brownfield’s Larry Lee.