Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced an amendment to the farm bill that would permit the year-round, nationwide sale of E-15. This change in policy would expand access to markets for corn farmers, increase demand by over 2 billion bushels per year, and add a low-carbon, affordable fuel option at the gas pump.
“We need certainty for farmers and lower prices at the gas pump. We had an opportunity to do both of those things by allowing the year-round sale of E-15 nationwide to be included in the farm bill. My Republican colleagues know that this change is needed, but instead of standing up to Big Oil they voted to block E15 from being considered—choosing once again to pass up an opportunity to include this policy in legislation. Instead they told our farmers that this policy was irrelevant to the farm bill. Biofuel feedstocks are relevant to agriculture and expanding domestic markets for our farmers is common sense. I stand ready to work with my Senate colleagues to finally get this across the finish line,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
AGRI-PULSE: House Ag Democrats blocked from advancing year-round E15 by Lydia Johnson
House Ag Committee Democrats sought to use a farm bill to advance a provision authorizing year-round use of E15, but the panel's Republicans stuck together to uphold a point of order against the biofuel amendment.
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson warned at the outset of the committee debate Tuesday that the E15 issue wasn't germane to the bill because it was under the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The committee ultimately voted along party lines 25-21 Wednesday to block the amendment by Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., from being considered.
“The President's economic policies are devastating markets for producers in my district with grain bins that sit well over capacity,” Sorensen said, with an 'E15 now' button pinned to his suit jacket. “Nationally, corn growers are facing their fourth straight year of negative profitability, including an average loss of $125 per acre for the current crop marketing year alone.”
Sorensen, also referencing that the conflict in the Middle East could drive up energy prices, said allowing sales of the higher ethanol blend fuel would provide consumers with a more affordable, low carbon fuel option at the pump. For farmers, the provision would increase domestic corn demand by more than 2 billion bushels annually.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., a former House Ag Committee chairman, called a point of order against the Sorensen amendment.
Source : house.gov