WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 30 members in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Shalanda Young, urging the agencies to quickly implement their outstanding regulatory action on a request made by several Midwest state governors to lift restrictions on the year-round sale of ethanol.

“The administration is long overdue in removing these unnecessary regulatory barriers to the year-round sale of higher ethanol blends like E15,” said Rep. Finstad. “American-produced ethanol creates jobs, generates demand for farmers, and lowers the price at the pump for consumers. My colleagues and I are calling on the EPA and the OMB to quickly act on what they were asked to do nine months ago, which is permanently remove the restrictions on the sale of a lower-cost, environmentally friendly fuel option.”

“Homegrown ethanol is the cheaper, cleaner option to relieve pain at the pump. Finalizing the Midwest Governors’ common-sense request will bring more certainty for Iowa’s corn growers, fuel retailers, and consumers directly impacted by the decisions of Biden’s EPA,” said Senator Ernst.

“Iowa biofuels are the common sense solution to immediately reduce prices at the pump,” said Rep. Hinson. “The EPA must stop dragging its feet and grant the Governors' request for E15 to be sold year-round. The infrastructure is at the ready to meet consumer demand this summer - our farmers and fuel retailers just need certainty.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Background: On April 28, 2022, the governors of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin notified the EPA they would use the Clean Air Act authority provided to State Governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for summer sales of E15. Ohio and Missouri have also joined this effort.

Section 211(h)(5)(B) of the Clean Air Act states that the Administrator “shall promulgate regulations” effectuating this action “… not later than 90-days after the date of receipt of a notification from a Governor.” Under this statute, the removal of the 1-psi waiver should have been completed no later than July 27, 2022.