20 Years Later, Renewable Fuels Standard Is a Success

On August 8, 2005, President George Bush signed the Energy Policy Act into law. Among other measures, this bill established the Renewable Fuels Standard, which for the last two decades has supported a growing American energy sector by providing more affordable fuel options in addition to complementary markets for agricultural commodities.

This week, as a co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus, I joined several of my colleagues in both the House and Senate to introduce a resolution to celebrating this anniversary as we work to continue empowering American producers, retailers, and consumers through sound federal policy. American agriculture and biofuels producers are leaders in innovation, and I am proud of the progress they have made over the past 20 years to maximize the value of every kernel of corn while producing more with less.

While gasoline and diesel prices are down from this time in 2024, much work remains to be done to recover from the inflationary policies of the Biden administration which increased costs at the fuel pump and energy costs for agriculture producers.

For this reason, this week I also joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce a bill which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize E15 compatibility with existing infrastructure and reduce red tape for retailers who wish to provide consumers with more options at the pump.

Estimates show access to E15 at the fuel pump can save consumers up to 30 cents per gallon, and I am a strong proponent of making this affordable and sustainable fuel option more available to American drivers. Additionally, with 16 colleagues in the House and Senate, I sent a corresponding letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, outlining research showing existing fuel infrastructure’s compatibility with E15, calling on him to finalize a rulemaking from 2021 to make the E15 fuel label clearer and more consumer oriented.

Earlier this year, I championed a provision enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to extend and improve the 45Z biofuels production tax credit through 2031. This policy supports Nebraska farmers through significant investment into liquid fuels market. The reconciliation package also opened onshore and offshore oil and gas leasing which President Biden severely restricted through executive orders signed on the first day of his presidency.

Remarkably, since implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard, the number of corn acres planted in the U.S. has not increased. During that same period, yields have risen by nearly 20 percent. Innovation has made it possible for every kernel of corn to produce both ethanol from the starch and quality feed from the high-protein distillers grains.

America’s world-class producers are able to provide food and fuel without sacrificing either, and House Republicans understand the value of an all-of-the-above approach to energy abundance. We are working to enact a comprehensive strategy to utilize our vast domestic resources, reduce regulatory obstacles, and take advantage of innovative technologies. This will make our nation energy independent, grow our economy, strengthen national security, and create jobs.