WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new radio ad launched today by Growth Energy reminds listeners across the heartland that it’s “make or break time” for the rural economy. Slated to air alongside a digital ad campaign in Midwestern states, the radio spot encourages listeners to join Growth Energy in calling on President Trump to lift federal restrictions on the sale of E15 fuel blends, a move that would boost farm income amid the sharpest agricultural downturn since the 1980s.
“Outdated regulations kick back in on June 1st, cutting consumers off from a lower-cost product that supports farmers and rural manufacturing,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “President Trump promised Midwest lawmakers that he would fast-track a long-overdue fix, but oil lobbyists have held E15 hostage for years, and the White House needs to hear from rural communities. Too many American farmers are struggling to make ends meet, but we can deliver immediate relief by simply letting consumers make their own choices about American-made biofuel.”
Each year from June 1 to September 15, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules governing Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limit the sale of E15, dramatically reducing demand for biofuels made from renewable farm crops. Intended to reduce evaporative emissions, the current RVP guidelines were drafted before E15 hit the market, resulting in outdated restrictions that hold E15 to higher standards than less eco-friendly options offered all year long. Growth Energy has led the charge to update EPA regulations and expand market access for higher ethanol blends like E15.
“Expanding the sale of higher-blend ethanol fuel will create a new market for surplus crops, while strengthening our energy security,” notes the new ad, which urges listeners to contact the White House and show President Trump their support for homegrown biofuels. “Ask him to eliminate the government red tape that is hurting the heartland.”
E15 is approved by the EPA for use in nine out of ten cars on the road, and it can already be found at over 1,300 locations in 29 states. By providing regulatory relief to American fuel retailers, Growth Energy says the administration can hold down fuel costs, keep the air clean, and provide a vital market for more than two billion bushels of surplus grain.
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