POLITICO reports that, lacking the votes needed to pass it, the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee will not move forward on the Fischer E15 bill, which would have allowed for the year round sale of fuel consisting of 15 percent ethanol.
From POLITICO: “517 (115), from Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), would approve the sale of E15 fuel around the U.S. in summer months, when ethanol-related emissions contribute to the formation of smog.Ethanol backers see it as a critical next step toward expanding biofuels’ availability. But lawmakers from both parties had concerns with the bill, with several Republican panel members preparing amendments that would sunset the conventional biofuel mandate or put a hard cap on ethanol requirements. Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said he wants more transparency in credit markets and protections for the lagging cellulosic biofuel sector.”
Please read the letter submitted by Liz Hamilton, Executive Director of Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. NSIA did not support the passage of this bill and appreciates the work of the coalition that foiled its progress.
Ethanol