Rock Island Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), along with members Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Wesley Hunt (TX-13), and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced the Fuels Parity Act, which allows ethanol from corn starch to qualify as an advanced biofuel. This would require the EPA to use the Argonne GREET model to determine the greenhouse gas emission profile of biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

“Making sure our corn growers from McLean County to Whiteside County have the support they need is important to keeping communities across Central and Northwestern Illinois sustainable and secure. The bipartisan Fuels Parity Act is exactly what our farmers have been asking for so they can support their families and strengthen corn production for generations to come,” said Sorensen. 

“As we look toward a cleaner energy future, it’s imperative we take an ‘any-of-the-above’ approach to energy production. Removing legal barriers that limit the use of corn-based ethanol will bolster American energy production and support our agriculture industry—all while lowering carbon emissions,” said Miller-Meeks. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and honored to be joined by my colleagues from Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.” 

“This legislation levels the playing field and allows ethanol derived from corn starch to qualify as an advanced biofuel. This bill will help decrease carbon emissions and increase American energy production, paving the way towards a more attainable and efficient energy future. As liquid fuel demand is at an all-time high, I’ll continue working to create and all-of-the-above approach that expands supply for refiners and consumers while maintaining the cost-effective Internal Combustion Engine,” said Bice. 

“Liquid fuels are the backbone of our society, which is why I’m ecstatic to support this legislation,” said Hunt. “Congress must promote programs that encourage the internal combustion engine, which will remain commonplace in our society for generations to come.” 

“Technological innovation is making corn ethanol even cleaner, and the Renewable Fuel Standard should be updated to recognize these advances,” said Budzinski. “I’m proud to help introduce bipartisan legislation ensuring that all of our low emission biofuels receive the same treatment from the Environmental Protection Agency – and that family farmers, consumers and our environment reap the full benefits of increased blending.” 

“With the support of Representative Miller-Meeks, we know we have someone that understands the value of ethanol and its role as a more sustainable fuel option to fight climate change on our side. We continue to fight for ethanol because it’s a low-carbon, homegrown fuel option that supports 62% of corn grind in our state,” said Denny Friest, Iowa Corn Growers Association President. 

“As a stalwart champion of biofuels, we thank Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks for her leadership in introducing the Fuels Parity Act,” said Joshua Shields, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for POET. “By eliminating the corn starch penalty and adopting the Department of Energy’s Argonne GREET model, which is the gold standard of carbon lifecycle analysis, this legislation paves the way for a more accurate modeling that better reflects the advancements ethanol has and continues to make as a low-carbon liquid fuel solution.” 

“We applaud Rep. Miller-Meeks for introducing legislation that recognizes the declining carbon intensity of On May 17 low-carbon ethanol and helps level the playing field,” said Tom Haag, President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Farmers are proud to contribute to lowering ethanol’s carbon footprint through our production practices, and this bill would ensure EPA uses the most recent science and data to accurately measure the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of biofuels.” 

“This bipartisan bill would clear two of the biggest regulatory hurdles that keep the U.S. from unleashing the full carbon-reducing potential of corn ethanol. By both allowing corn starch ethanol to qualify for an advanced (D5) RIN and ensuring EPA uses the gold-standard GREET lifecycle analysis model, the Fuels Parity Act would put biofuels on the same regulatory footing as other fuels, giving them a better chance to compete in the market and more opportunities to decarbonize the transportation sector. We’re grateful to Representatives Miller-Meeks, Hunt, Bice, Budzinski, and Sorenson for introducing this legislation,” said Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO. 

Corn is currently prohibited from qualifying as an advanced biofuel, even if it can meet the required scientific thresholds, by a provision in the 2007 RFS expansion known as the “corn discrimination clause.” No other feedstock is limited – only corn starch used for ethanol. Allowing corn to qualify as an advanced biofuel would incentivize lower emissions from ethanol production and allow corn to access another bucket of the RFS. If ethanol can meet the scientific thresholds, then it should be allowed to qualify as an advanced biofuel and generate an advanced biofuel RIN. 

Text of the bill may be found here.

Original source can be found here.