WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded Senator Amy Klobuchar’s (D-Minn.) efforts to include support for homegrown, renewable biofuels in Congress’ upcoming budget reconciliation process. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Klobuchar, joined by Senators Smith, Duckworth, Durbin, and Baldwin, and Representatives Craig, Axne, Bustos, and Pocan, called on Congressional leadership to include in reconciliation key biofuel initiatives, including the following:
- Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Market Expansion Act
- Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act
- Low Carbon Biofuel Credit Act
- Clean Fuels Vehicle Act
- Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act
- Extension of the Second-Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit
“Providing additional market access for higher blends of low carbon fuels in the budget reconciliation process will create jobs in rural communities, lower the price of fuel for consumers at the pump, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and, most importantly, decrease carbon emissions,” wrote the Members.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded Senator Klobuchar and the coalition of senators and representatives for fighting for the biofuels industry. “We’re currently working with our U.S. Senate and House champions on a number of biofuels issues before Congress, including a legislative effort to allow retailers to sell E15 year-round,” said Skor. “Including these initiatives would return certainty to the biofuels market as we face continued regulatory uncertainty from the administration.
“These Members of Congress have long been advocates for biofuels producers and rural America, and we are grateful for their efforts to strengthen the production and sale of renewable biofuels.”
You can read the full letter here.
Background
Budget reconciliation is a parliamentary process that allows budget-related issues, including significant spending and government funding measures, to bypass the filibuster in the Senate and become law with a simple majority in both chambers and signature from the President.
The Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Product Market Expansion Act (S. 2271), introduced by Senators Klobuchar and Ernst (R-Iowa), would provide $1 billion over 10 years to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the sales of low-carbon biofuels. The House version is the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act (H.R. 1542), introduced by Representative Axne (D-Iowa).
The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 2339) was introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) to ensure the continued availability of low-carbon fifteen percent ethanol fuel blends (E15) in all fuel markets year-round. The House version is the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act (H.R. 4410), introduced by Representatives Angie Craig (D-Minn) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb).
The Low Carbon Biofuel Credit Act (S. 2262), introduced by Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) would provide retailers and fuel blenders a direct incentive to offer higher ethanol blends, including a 5-cent tax credit for each gallon of E15 sold, and 10 cents for each gallon containing more than 15 percent of lower-carbon ethanol. The House version is H.R. 4254, introduced by Representatives Cindy Axne and Adrian Smith.
The Clean Fuels Vehicle Act, also introduced by Sens. Klobuchar and Ernst, would provide an automotive incentive for every flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) manufactured. FFVs are needed as more gas stations around the nation are providing greater access to higher blends of ethanol like E85, a low-carbon and low-cost fuel.
The Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act (S.1806) introduced by Senator Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senator Cantwell (D-Wash.) would extend the current federal biodiesel tax credit through 2025. The House version, H.R.3472 was introduced by Rep. Cindy Axne.
Late last year, CEO Emily Skor called on Congress to extend the Section 40 Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, a credit per gallon of second-generation biofuel that, according to Skor, “provides an essential incentive for our biofuels industry to produce a low-carbon, renewable fuel which keeps our rural communities afloat”.