[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          IN HONOR OF E15 DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROD BLUM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  Mr. BLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of E15 Day on 
September 16th, when gasoline retailers can once again sell E15 to 
American consumers and to urge the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) to remove regulatory barriers which prevent the sale of E-15 year 
round.
   The EPA first created the 1-psi waiver of the Reid Vapor Pressure 
(RVP) to increase the availability of 10 percent ethanol blends. As a 
result, nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States 
contains ethanol. However, the EPA has been unwilling to provide a 
similar waiver for E-15 gasoline blends. This means E15 cannot be sold 
during the summer months, causing many retailers to not carry the 
higher blend and restricting access to renewable fuels.
   In response to these burdensome restrictions, I introduced H.R. 
1944, the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act. This legislation would 
extend the RVP waiver to include gasoline blended with more than 10 
percent ethanol, allowing gas stations to sell E15 year round.
   I urge the EPA to repeal these archaic and meaningless regulations 
and increase access to E-15 gasoline.
   I applaud Governor Branstad for recognizing E15 Day in Iowa, and I 
hope Congress continues to work on enacting policy which increases 
consumer access and savings at the pump.
   I am proud of the vital role Iowa has in developing and providing 
America with cleaner energy sources. Drivers across the country are 
fueling their cars with Iowa grown ethanol. By allowing access to E15 
year round, we can give consumers greater choice while helping our 
environment.

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