Trump backs E15 in Iowa speech
In a speech Wednesday in Iowa, President Trump urged Congress to find a way to pass a bill to allow the nationwide, year-round sale of E15, a higher blend of ethanol than is currently allowed.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association said in a news release that Trump said, “In the campaign I promised to support E15 all year round. … I want to be there in person to tell the people of Iowa that I am trusting [House] Speaker Mike Johnson [R-La.], who is great, and [Senate Majority] Leader John Thune [R-S.D.], who is great, that’s House and Senate, to find a deal that works … in other words to get E15 approved. And they’re working on it. They’re very close to getting it done. … And [Congress] will be sending me a bill very shortly supporting year-round E15, to my desk very quickly, and I will sign it without delay.”
Corn and ethanol growers campaigned for inclusion of the bill to allow E15 nationwide year round in an appropriations measure, but the House did not include it due to opposition from mid-sized refiners. The House Republicans instead set up a rural energy council to figure out how to reach a deal on it.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a USDA news release, “Yet again President Trump is honoring his commitment to America’s farmers and energy producers today in Iowa by announcing his support for the nationwide year-round sale of E15. As Congress continues to work through the details, the president has been clear — get a bill that allows nationwide E15 to his desk, and he will sign it to unleash American homegrown row crops for biofuel use like never before. America’s national security depends on our energy security, and biofuels are a crucial asset that brings more jobs and helps farmers in rural America. This action will allow up to 2 billion more bushels of corn to be consumed domestically.”
The USDA release added, “There is no greater advocate for our nation’s corn and soybean growers than President Trump. … The Trump administration has proven it is the most pro-biofuels administration in our nation’s history, sending a clear market signal there is a growing need for American-grown commodities for fuel use.”
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in a news release, “President Trump has always been a strong supporter of E15 because he knows just how important it is to farmers and to consumers looking for lower prices at the pump. He understands that the quickest and surest way to boost the farm economy is to open a vast new market opportunity for grain-based ethanol. We are grateful to President Trump for again voicing his support and calling on Congress to get year-round E15 legislation passed and to his desk immediately.”
Iowa Corn Growers Association Vice President Steve Kuiper said, “Iowa’s corn growers appreciate President Trump shining light on E15 and recognizing the weight this legislation holds to us as corn growers. Farmers are struggling with low commodity prices, high input costs and lack of markets. Passage of year-round E15 is the lifeline many of us need to be able to continue farming.”
Bryan Goodman, a spokesman for the National Corn Growers Association, said late Tuesday, “We are very encouraged that the president seems committed to signing E15 into law. NCGA will continue to work hard to get this legislation across the finish line.”
When the House GOP decision to establish the Rural Energy Council was announced, both NCGA and ethanol groups were highly critical of it.
In the speech, Trump defended the administration’s economic performance, but the trip was overshadowed by continuing controversy about the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents.
Trump’s speech received national news coverage as the beginning of his midterm election campaigning.
