US House passes bill to allow year-round sale of E15 fuel
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that would allow nationwide sales of gasoline containing 15% alcohol throughout the year. This is a big win for biofuel producers,?farming groups and refiners alike.
H.R. 1346, or the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, was approved by a vote of 218 to 203. It would allow fuel retailers to offer E15?year-round. This would remove seasonal restrictions linked to smog concerns. The H.R.
To be implemented, the legislation must?pass the Senate where 60% of votes are required, and receive a signature from Donald Trump.
Some supporters say that year-round E15 sale would help to lower fuel prices, which have risen since the beginning of the Iran War. Critics say it could increase costs for refiners who already face higher compliance burdens due to federal biofuel mandates.
Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts, a Democrat, has also expressed fiscal concerns. He said that the measure would?add millions to U.S. government debt.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the bill will increase direct spending by $2.7billion?while increasing revenues by $0.4billion, resulting in a?deficit?increase of about $2.3billion between 2026-2036. This is based on the assumption that the legislation takes effect in August 2026.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in high fuel prices, which have become a major vulnerability to President Donald Trump's Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections. (Reporting from Siddharth Cavale in New York, Editing by Sonali?Paul)
(source: Reuters)
