(NAFB) A recent bill introduced to advance year-round access to E15 fuel in all 50 states failed in Washington, D.C. The bill failed due to a combination of legislative strategy and political dynamics. The decision was made despite the support from various stakeholders and the fact that a compromise deal had been broadly backed by farmers, ethanol producers, and several small refiners. Jan tenBensel sits on the Nebraska Corn Board of Directors and is Chair of the Nebraska Ethanol Action Team. He’s also a member of the National Corn Board.
“The other refiners kind of feel like they’re in a situation where they want to make sure everybody’s playing a fair game on a level field. Well, unfortunately, we’re caught in the middle, but it’s nice not to have to discuss. Everybody knows we’ve got a great product that replaces the most toxic, most expensive, and most cancer-causing parts of gasoline. You know, we’re there for a win for consumers, a win for farmers, and a win for rural America.”
TenBensel talks about where it goes from here.
“The Rural Energy Committee, there’s always a rumor that they’re just about to have an agreement, and I expect to see that soon. The next step is: do we put this on the floor? Do they put this on the floor? I shouldn’t say we, because they are the ones who are doing it. Put this on the floor of the House, get it through the House, then figure out a way to get it through the Senate, because there are really no must-pass bills that are good vehicles for this right now.”
Again, that’s Jan tenBensel of the National Corn Board.
