[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 182 (Monday, October 18, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Biofuels

  Madam President, on another subject, I would like to speak to an 
issue that is hurting the pocketbooks of hard-working Americans, 
particularly in the State of Iowa.
  The media has reported that the White House has been in discussions 
with Big Oil regarding rising fuel prices. This is quite a surprise to 
some of us who have heard nothing from the administration all year; 
that we have got to stop fossil fuels and we have got to worry more 
about global warming. We shouldn't stop Big Oil, but you still have got 
to worry about global warming.
  President Biden has called on OPEC cartels to drill for additional 
crude oil and discussed potentially opening up our domestic Strategic 
Petroleum Reserve. With rising energy prices, it is commonsense to 
promote additional development of energy; but with the Biden 
administration's sole focus seemingly being on climate change, I would 
think more attention would be paid to promoting an emphasis upon clean 
energy.
  Throughout my tenure in the Senate, I have promoted alternative 
energy sources as a way of protecting our environment and increasing 
our energy independence. As the No. 1 producer of corn, ethanol, and 
biodiesel, Iowa leads the Nation's renewable fuels industry.
  But if the President doesn't care about Iowa--my State of Iowa--the 
President should remember the States of Illinois and Minnesota, just as 
an example. Historically, blue States are also major producers of corn 
and soybeans, as well as ethanol and biodiesel.
  A recent study has shown the expanded use of ethanol under the 
renewable fuel standard has lowered gasoline prices by an average of 22 
cents per gallon. This saves the typical American household $250 
annually. In recent weeks, E-10, which is a 10-percent mixture of 
ethanol and gasoline, has sold for 35 cents to 50 cents per gallon less 
than gasoline with no ethanol.
  Not only is ethanol-blended gas cheaper than non-ethanol gasoline, 
but a recent study has also shown that ethanol reduces greenhouse gas 
emissions by 43 percent compared to conventional gasoline.
  Considering President Biden's sudden interest in high gasoline 
prices, a commonsense solution would be to turn to the biofuel industry 
for assistance in this time of high gasoline prices.
  Enhancing energy security while lowering emissions was the exact 
reason why Congress created the renewable fuel standard in 2005 and 
2007. The Midwest has the potential to provide a solution to the 
multifaceted problems that this administration faces.
  Instead, President Biden and his White House continue--it seems to 
me--to turn to Big Oil to solve the energy crisis instead of looking at 
the renewable fuels opportunities. Big Oil seems to then have a 
friendly relationship with the White House, which is completely 
contrary to what you would think of when they want to do away with 
fossil fuels.
  Recent rumors in the press are saying that the administration is 
considering gutting the renewable fuel standard with massive cuts to 
the required volume obligations. This is strange considering President 
Biden campaigned on supporting the renewable fuel standard. He 
campaigned in Iowa as a friend of ethanol--yes, in Iowa.
  President Biden said that ``the Renewable Fuel Standard marks our 
bond with our farmers and our commitment to a thriving rural economy.''
  Increased drilling for crude oil and increasing our dependence on 
OPEC is not a solution to higher prices at the pumps.
  Why ask OPEC to pump more oil? Why ask Big Oil to pump more oil?
  Americans need relief, and that relief can come from having a 
partnership with the biofuels industry, and it is past time for the 
administration to look to the heartland instead of Texas and OPEC for 
an answer.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.