Floor SpeechNeutral2026-06-04

SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15

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On 2026-06-04, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) delivered a floor speech titled "SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15" in the House.

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SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E526] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15 ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, June 4, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would ensure that Americans across the country have access to year-round E15. Minnesota is a leader in biofuels, and I stand in support of expanding E15 to all consumers, lowering the cost to fill their gas tanks. Currently, Minnesota and other states that want to sell year-round E15 must go through an EPA waiver system. Technological advancements of E15 have led to the waiver process being an unnecessary regulatory hurdle for states to jump through. This process has led to uncertainty for small fuel stations. These small fuel stations do not want to invest in E15 pumps if there is no certainty that they will be allowed to sell E15. Minnesota is a national leader for E15. We have 18 ethanol plants and produce over 1.4 billion gallons. This biofuel is sold at over 550 gas stations across Minnesota, a number that will surely rise with the passage of yearlong E15. Biofuel production has seen great advancement in the last twenty years. In the early 2000s, a gallon of ethanol might need 10-20 gallons of water to produce. Now, that number is closer to 2 gallons of water for every gallon of ethanol. Water discharge has decreased for all producers. Some biofuel producers in Minnesota have a completely closed loop, with zero discharge. Minnesota legislators worked hard to ensure that an increase in E15 production and consumption did not lead to increased environmental concerns. Other states should follow our lead as we head towards yearlong E15. At a time of increased energy costs, yearlong E15 is a commonsense policy. There are exciting new sources of fuel, like switchgrass, that should also be researched as alternatives to corn. I have supported efforts in the past to research the viability of alternate biofuel sources and would be interested in pursing that research again. We cannot rely on corn alone to produce the ethanol of the future. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR1346, HR1346

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SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 95 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E526] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SUPPORTING H.R. 1346, ACCESS TO YEARLONG E15 ______ HON. BETTY McCOLLUM of minnesota in the house of representatives Thursday, June 4, 2026 Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would ensure that Americans across the country have access to year-round E15. Minnesota is a leader in biofuels, and I stand in support of expanding E15 to all consumers, lowering the cost to fill their gas tanks. Currently, Minnesota and other states that want to sell year-round E15 must go through an EPA waiver system. Technological advancements of E15 have led to the waiver process being an unnecessary regulatory hurdle for states to jump through. This process has led to uncertainty for small fuel stations. These small fuel stations do not want to invest in E15 pumps if there is no certainty that they will be allowed to sell E15. Minnesota is a national leader for E15. We have 18 ethanol plants and produce over 1.4 billion gallons. This biofuel is sold at over 550 gas stations across Minnesota, a number that will surely rise with the passage of yearlong E15. Biofuel production has seen great advancement in the last twenty years. In the early 2000s, a gallon of ethanol might need 10-20 gallons of water to produce. Now, that number is closer to 2 gallons of water for every gallon of ethanol. Water discharge has decreased for all producers. Some biofuel producers in Minnesota have a completely closed loop, with zero discharge. Minnesota legislators worked hard to ensure that an increase in E15 production and consumption did not lead to increased environmental concerns. Other states should follow our lead as we head towards yearlong E15. At a time of increased energy costs, yearlong E15 is a commonsense policy. There are exciting new sources of fuel, like switchgrass, that should also be researched as alternatives to corn. I have supported efforts in the past to research the viability of alternate biofuel sources and would be interested in pursing that research again. We cannot rely on corn alone to produce the ethanol of the future. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR1346, HR1346