Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
Today, on the House floor, Representative Sharice Davids urged her colleagues to support year-round sales of E15 to help lower gas prices and strengthen American agriculture. E15 is a lower-cost fuel made from domestically grown crops that can help reduce what families pay at the pump, support Kansas farmers with a more stable market, and strengthen U.S. energy security by reducing reliance on foreign oil.
WATCH: Davids urges the passage of year-round E15 during a speech on the U.S. House floor
Earlier this year, House leadership failed to pass a Davids-supported bipartisan effort to allow year-round sales of E15. In its place, they created a federal task force to study the issue, which many farm groups and biofuel advocates found inadequate. Davids agreed and continues to push for year-round sales, which would be accomplished through this bill expected to be included in the Farm Bill.
Rising fuel costs underscore the urgency of expanding access to lower-cost alternatives like E15. Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, global oil prices have surged sharply, exceeding $100 per barrel. U.S. gasoline prices have followed, jumping from under $3.00 per gallon before the conflict to mor than $4.00 in recent weeks, with analysts warning prices could climb even higher if instability continues.
Previously, Davids has taken multiple actions to lower gas prices for Kansans by:
- Securing an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 during the past four summers and 2026.
- Voting for the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which allows retailers the ability to sell higher ethanol-blended fuels year-round.
- Visiting East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE), a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, as part of her Farm Bill listening tour.
- EKAE has around 40 full-time employees and relies heavily on Kansas corn producers to supply the crops needed to make the biofuel.
- Helping to pass legislation that promotes sustainable aviation fuel, a liquid fuel that achieves significant emissions reductions compared to fossil-based jet fuel.
- Supporting legislation that expands biofuels infrastructure, opening up new market opportunities for sustainable fuel sources and lowering energy costs for Kansas families.
- Pushing the President to suspend the federal gas tax, providing immediate relief to Kansans at the gas pump.
Read Davids’ full speech here.