Midwest Republicans made a last-ditch attempt with House leadership to add year-round E15 to a must-pass fiscal 2026 appropriations package, and they came away with authorization of a council to study the issue and develop legislation to be considered next month.
The rule for the funding package approved by the House Rules Committee yesterday morning includes an amendment to establish “the E-15 Rural Domestic Energy Council (“Council”), appointed by the Speaker of the House, to develop legislative solutions to address the crisis facing our nation’s farmers and refiners.”
The council has until Feb. 15 to submit a legislative proposal, with the goal of considering the bill by Feb. 25.
The council would be required “to investigate topics including, but not limited to, the sale of Ethanol-15, U.S. refinery capacity, the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, Renewable Identification Numbers, access to markets, and federal regulations that hinder American energy dominance.”
Corn growers and ethanol industry groups reacted with statements of disappointment over the exclusion of year-round E15.
