Biofuel Conversation Intensifies In D.C.

Farm State lawmakers and biofuel groups are turning up the heat on the White House to approve year-round E15 sales amid the U.S. embargo of Russian oil and soaring gas prices. The crisis has sparked a fierce push by the biofuels industry and its backers in Congress to renew year-round sales of E15.

“Ethanol is 70 to 80 cents per gallon cheaper than gasoline right now: 70 to 80 cents," said Renewable Fuels Association head Geoff Cooper. "And common sense tells you if you use more ethanol and less gasoline, you’re going to reduce the cost to the consumer.” 

RFA and Growth Energy are urging the Administration to use its authority to green light summertime use of E15, but Cooper admited, the White House may not be listening.

“It’s been very frustrating, and we don’t know why they’re not looking at some of these other options and trying things that have a proven track record of not working.” 

Things, he noted, like using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or going to other adversaries like Venezuela and Iran for more oil.

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