WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a joint statement, Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) Co-Chairs Jim Talent and Rick Santorum applauded the Trump administration for rolling back outdated regulations against the summertime sales of 15 percent ethanol blends (E15). Just last week, the president reiterated his commitment to lifting the “ridiculous rule,” which has held back U.S. farmers and limited production of homegrown energy.
“Competition at the fuel pump means lower prices for consumers, stronger markets for our farmers, and greater energy security for the American people. We applaud President Trump for pushing regulators to lift these outdated regulations in time for the summer driving season. Retailers will finally have the regulatory certainty they need to give motorists more affordable fueling options made with clean U.S. energy.”
“With oil prices on the rise and farm income falling, investments in American biofuel production have never been more important. We should seize this opportunity to create more jobs in rural America while taking power away from Iran and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”
“We urge EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to make the most out of this opportunity by enforcing the biofuel targets set by Congress and endorsed by President Trump. The EPA’s special refinery exemptions have destroyed demand for 2.6 billion gallons of U.S. ethanol, and unless steps are taken to repair the damage, those exemptions threaten to undercut the benefits of a more competitive fuel market.”
###