FILE - Dave Thomas purchases gasoline at a station March 24, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)

For too long, Iowa farmers, biofuel producers, fuel retailers, and the everyday working families have pushed Washington to pass common sense policy that expands consumer choice, supports rural America, and lowers prices at the pump. Now, after over a decade of gridlock, we are finally getting closer to the finish line.

This week, the House advanced legislation to permanently authorize year-round, nationwide sales of E15 — a lower-cost fuel blend made with 15% American ethanol. As the co-chair of the Rural Domestic Energy Council, I have worked closely with farmers, oil refiners, industry leaders, and Members of Congress representing communities across the country to build the coalition necessary to achieve a mutually beneficial solution and get this done.

After years of demand and months of policy work, it’s clear: the benefits of E15 are undeniable.

As gas prices squeeze family budgets, E15 gives consumers real and immediate relief. Drivers using E15 can save between 15 to 40 cents per gallon compared to standard gasoline seen at most gas stations. With passage of nationwide E15 and the ability for retailers to offer it as a product, drivers nationwide could save $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs annually.

For Iowa farmers, this policy is equally critical.

Full implementation of year-round E15 is projected to increase corn demand by 2.4 million bushels and generate billions in additional economic activity across rural America.

At a time when low commodity prices and rising input costs are creating serious uncertainty for our farmers, expanding domestic markets for corn and biofuels help farmers earn more from the marketplace and succeed.

President Trump has called for the passage of year-round E15 and vowed to sign it into law to help unleash American energy dominance.

Iowa farmers and producers already help fuel our nation with cleaner, more affordable energy grown and produced right here at home. Instead of relying on foreign energy sources that have proven to be unpredictable and unreliable, we should focus on unleashing the full potential of American-made biofuels. Expanding E15 is guaranteed to strengthen our energy security, support domestic production, and keep energy dollars right here at home.

E15 has been approved by the EPA since 2011 and is already sold at nearly 5,000 stations across 35 states, in addition to Iowa. It is approved for use in 95% of vehicles on the road today. Studies have also shown that any difference in fuel economy is negligible, while the savings at the pump are more than significant.

For too long, Washington gridlock and regulatory uncertainty have held back E15 growth. Iowa producers deserve certainty. Fuel retailers deserve certainty. And American consumers deserve access to affordable fuel year-round.

Congress now has an opportunity to deliver lower prices, stronger markets for farmers, and greater American energy independence. I’m honored to help lead this effort, and I will continue advocating until year-round, nationwide E15 becomes the law of the land.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House and is also a candidate for governor.