Ricketts Statement on E15 Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, complimented the announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would issue an emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of E15 this summer. Ricketts said the following:

“E15 saves consumers money at the pump, supports Nebraska agriculture, cleans our environment, and promotes energy independence. Expanding access to E15 use will help President Trump deliver on his promise to unleash American energy. The next step is a permanent fix. Let’s pass Senator Fischer’s Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and make year-round nationwide E15 permanent.”

BACKGROUND

As Governor of Nebraska, Ricketts made repeated requests of the EPA to allow the year-round sale of E-15. As Senator, Ricketts co-sponsors the Consumer Fuel and Retailer Choice Act, which would make permanent its year-round sale. Ricketts also frequently touts the benefits of ethanol and other renewable fuels as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees the EPA. In addition, Ricketts co-leads the bipartisan Flex Fuel Fairness Act with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to level the playing field for vehicles running on higher blends of ethanol.