WASHINGTON, D.C. – Growth Energy today praised the introduction of legislation by U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) that would unleash access to higher-octane, lower-emission fuels for American drivers.
“The Next Generation Fuels Act represents a clear roadmap for turbo-charging our progress against climate change while offering drivers cleaner, more affordable options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “With a natural octane of 113, ethanol is the only high-performance, homegrown, renewable fuel ready to immediately loosen the hold that OPEC and its allies in Russia have over U.S. fuel prices, while slashing the use of toxic fuel additives that poison our air. We applaud Reps. Bustos and Comer for working to promote the use of high-octane, low carbon higher biofuel blends that hold enormous potential for rural America’s role in clean energy production.
“This important legislation also directly addresses a recent court decision that threatens to stall the growth of higher biofuel blends like E15, a fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol. Now more than ever, it’s vital that Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration move quickly to restore certainty for the rural producers and farmers working to deliver clean, affordable, renewable energy to American drivers,” added Skor.
Background
Building on a previous proposal, the Next Generation Fuels Act of 2021 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a new 95 Research Octane Number (RON) standard that would rise to 98 RON after 2031. The legislation would also limit reliance on toxic, aromatic hydrocarbons, require a 40 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of octane-boosting additives, and update fuel and infrastructure regulations to expand the availability of ethanol blends up to E40. In addition, the bill extends incentives for Flex Fuel vehicles and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make long-overdue updates to obsolete models that undercount the contributions of U.S. biofuels to clean air and a healthy climate.