Bill would let retailers offer E15 without restriction from June 1 to September 15.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement after the legislative hearing on the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517) held today by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 517 was introduced in March and has 18 bipartisan sponsors, including Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The bill would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to gasoline blended with 15% ethanol (E15), allowing retailers to offer E15 without restriction from June 1 to September 15.

“For years, Growth Energy has led the charge to put choice into the hands of consumers by expanding the marketplace for higher blends of ethanol. The testimony heard today provides clear evidence that Congress should move forward and ensure that consumers benefit year-round from higher ethanol blends that reduce emissions and protect our heath and our climate. The success of today’s hearing is the culmination of the countless efforts of our association as well as our champions in the Senate, our friends in the fuel retail industry, and numerous others in the industry. We especially thank two of the witnesses – Mike Lorenz, executive vice president of Sheetz Inc., and Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council– for presenting strong, fact-based testimonies that clearly stated the benefits this fix would bring to consumers by giving them a cleaner, more affordable option at the pump year-round.”