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Miller-Meeks Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Replace Russian Oil with Biofuels

March 24, 2022

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, March 24th, 2022, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 7155, the Home Front Energy Independence Act. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and Angie Craig (MN-02), would expand the production and availability of American biofuels and prohibit the importation of petroleum from Russia.

This legislation is the House companion to S. 3787, introduced by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

“Iowans know that ethanol and biofuels are cleaner and more cost-effective than anything you can get from Russia. Congress and the Administration took appropriate steps to ban the import of Russian oil; now we need to act to replace those energy sources,” said Miller-Meeks. “This legislation would finally lift the illogical ban on year-round E-15 sales, supporting Iowa farmers and American consumers. Increasing domestic energy production and the use of biofuels would also help our allies around the world wean themselves off from Russia’s dirty oil and cut off the funding for the Russian war machine.”

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

Background:

Miller-Meeks has previously called for a ban on Russian energy imports and to increase production of biofuels, voted to suspend all energy imports from Russia and to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, and cosponsored legislation to support American energy production, including the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, the Prohibition on Imports of Russian Oil Act, and the Ban Russian Energy Imports Act.

The bipartisan legislation would codify into law full restrictions on U.S. purchases of Russian oil until the President of the United States determines Russia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The current domestic excess ethanol capacity is nearly the same as the amount of Russian gas the U.S. had been importing – roughly 83 million barrels versus 87 million barrels.

The bill would also establish an income tax credit for the sale or blending of certain fuels containing ethanol and extend tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel. It would also amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid vapor pressure limitations.

Specifically, the Home Front Energy Independence Act would:

  • Make E-15 available year-round
  • Establish an E-15 Tax Credit and Extend the Tax Credit for Biodiesel
  • Direct the EPA to finalize their E-15 labeling rule
  • Provide for biofuel infrastructure and compatibility with retailers

The Home Front Energy Independence Act is supported by Clean Fuels Alliance America, Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association.

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