Des Moines, Iowa — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) issued the following statement following reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will relent to months of pressure and announce an emergency waiver to allow for higher-ethanol E15 gasoline sales this summer:
“Since day one in Congress, I’ve been fighting for year-round E15. I’m glad that the Administration has listened and relented in their stubborn opposition by issuing an emergency waiver for this summer. This waiver wouldn’t have been necessary if the Administration hadn’t delayed permanent implementation of year-round E15, but this is nonetheless the right thing to do for farmers, producers, and consumers who will benefit from less expensive fuel this summer.”
BACKGROUND
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Nunn has been advocating for permanent, year-round E15 since his first day in Congress, including:
- On February 28, 2023, Rep. Nunn questioned the American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall at a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the relief an emergency waiver for E15 this summer would provide farmers and rural communities.
- On March 6, 2023, Rep. Nunn led an Iowa delegation letter to EPA Administrator Regan and President Joe Biden, urging the Administration to allow for the year-round sale of E15 in time for this summer.
- On March 28, 2023, Rep. Nunn questioned USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at a House Agriculture Committee hearing on whether he would request that the Administration provide an emergency waiver for E15 in time for this summer.
- On April 19, 2023, Rep. Nunn urged EPA Administrator Michael Regan at a House Agriculture Committee hearing to implement an E15 waiver for this summer by May 1, 2023 and questioned why the EPA’s proposed rule didn’t start until the summer of 2024.
- On April 26, 2023, Rep. Nunn questioned National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag at a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing on the impact not having E15 sales this summer would have on our producers and rural Americans.
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