House Republican leaders struck a deal this week to establish a new rural energy council focused on E15 biofuel, a move intended to resolve internal GOP disagreements but one that has sparked strong backlash from corn growers.
According to Bloomberg Government, the agreement would create an E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council through the House rule governing debate on a government funding package expected to advance Thursday. The council would be tasked with submitting legislative proposals related to E15 by Feb. 15, with the goal of considering legislation by Feb. 25.
The move follows disputes between House Republican leadership and Midwestern lawmakers who support expanded access to E15, a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol made primarily from corn. The disagreement had threatened to derail the broader spending bill.
However, the funding package itself does not include language authorizing nationwide, year-round access to E15, a long-sought priority for corn growers and ethanol advocates.
That omission prompted swift criticism from the National Corn Growers Association. In a statement released Thursday, Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower said growers were frustrated after years of advocacy for permanent E15 legislation.
“Corn growers are disgusted, disappointed and disillusioned,” Bower said, arguing that Congress already has a bill and an agreement negotiated with the petroleum industry. He criticized the proposed council as an unnecessary delay that sends the issue back to a discussion phase rather than advancing legislation.
Bower said the decision effectively sidelines the nation’s roughly 500,000 corn farmers while favoring a small number of oil refineries.
E15 has long been promoted by farm groups as a way to expand ethanol demand, support rural economies, and provide consumers with lower-cost fuel options. While emergency waivers have allowed seasonal E15 sales in recent years, growers and biofuel advocates continue to push for a permanent, nationwide solution through congressional action.
The House Rules Committee is expected to consider the council as part of Thursday’s proceedings on the funding bill.
