Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois reaffirmed his support for year-round E15 sales this week. 

In a meeting with National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett, Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said he would continue to push the EPA to not delay in allowing E15 to be sold year-round. He called the policy change good for the environment and good for farmers facing financial headwinds. 

In October, President Trump committed the EPA to lift summer restrictions on ethanol blends up to E15. EPA must issue the rule by June 1, 2019, to ensure that E15 can be sold at retailers this summer. In the last Congress, Durbin co-sponsored the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, a bill that would allow the sale of E15 year-round. 

During the meeting, Doggett and Durbin also discussed the importance of trade with Mexico and Canada, soil health efforts, and NCGA’s recent partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund to help farmers achieve economic benefits from conservation and climate practices.