WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sherrod Brown announced that members of the Senate Agriculture Committee introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, which will enable year-round, nationwide sale of gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol. This measure would help lower fuel prices and provide certainty in fuel markers for farmers and consumers. Brown, the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years, cosponsored the bill.

“Relying on American farmers for clean, reliable biofuels is a better energy solution than depending on foreign sources,” said Brown. “Passing this policy now will send an important signal to manufacturers, consumers and gas stations.” 

Brown has long been an advocate for lowering energy prices by using American-grown ethanol. Earlier this year, Brown and colleagues sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to update biofuel emissions modeling. Following this letter, Brown applauded the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to suspend a federal rule preventing the sale of higher ethanol blend gasoline this summer.

The Consumer and Retailer Choice Act of 2022 would allow for the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 by permanently extending a waiver to fuel containing ethanol blends above 10 percent.

Ben Klick, President of Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association in Stark County, is a farmer who produces corn that is turned into biofuels.

“My family raises the corn that supplies lower-cost, cleaner-burning biofuels like Unleaded88 to Ohio’s consumers. Families who use this product can save hundreds of dollars at the pump every year – and they deserve that option all year long,” said Klick. “I’m grateful to see Senator Brown continue to lead on this issue by co-sponsoring commonsense legislation that will guarantee real people get to make that choice.”

Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director for Ohio Corn and Wheat, said the Ohio biofuel market allows more Ohioans to purchase cleaner energy.

“The biofuels market in Ohio has picked up real steam – with more and more Ohians able to purchase cleaner burning, lower-cost Unleaded 88/E15 every year. But antiquated regulations prevent those fuels from being available in the busiest driving months of the year. Consumers deserve choice and savings at the pump all year long,” said Nicholson. “Senator Brown keeps leading on this issue and I am grateful for his co-sponsorship of a bill that would modernize federal law to meet the opportunity we have right now to fuel Ohio’s economy with our homegrown fuel.”