There’s now a companion bill in the U.S. Senate, echoing the House bill that seeks to block the U.S. EPA from its recent E15 waiver approvals. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R- Wis., introduced the legislation on Feb. 16. “It was premature for the EPA to move forward with its decision considering there are still so many unanswered questions regarding its safety, environmental effects and economic impact,” he said. “We must work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but increasing the ethanol blend is not the solution.”

Sensenbrenner’s reasons for introducing the bill included studies that show increasing ethanol blends will decrease fuel economy and worries about potential engine damage. In addition, he said that the ethanol industry has been federally subsidized for 30 years and that it was “important to veer away from the government’s ethanol preference.” Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, introduced a similar bill in the Senate Jan. 25.

An organization from Sensenbrenner’s home state spoke out against the legislation. The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance said if E15 implementation were blocked it would harm the state’s economy and environment. “Study after study has shown that blends of up to 15 percent ethanol are safe, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial, particularly in Wisconsin,” said Joshua Morby, executive director of the WBIA.  “Suggesting that EPA approval of E15 is ‘premature’ is not only disingenuous, but harmful to our state.”

The organization pointed to the fact that NASCAR has begun using E15 in three of its national touring events. It also mentioned a study by North Dakota State University that concluded E15 would generate an additional $24.4 billion in economic activity. “The benefits of E15 are obvious, and based on the economic and environmental benefits of the fuel, we can’t afford to halt its approval, particularly in this difficult economy,” Morby said.  “I urge members of Congress to reject this legislation and allow the approval to move forward.”

The EPA and DOE conducted extensive testing and concluded that E15 is a safe and effective fuel when it approved the waiver for cars, pickups and SUVs model year 2001 and newer, the Renewable Fuels Association said. In fact, there’s been no evidence that E15 would cause any problems in any vehicle, regardless the year it was built. Preventing the EPA from implementing its E15 approval would only help keep America addicted to foreign oil. “Denying Americans a choice at the pump is not an energy strategy,” RFA said.  

Growth Energy pointed out that moving to E15 for all vehicles would create more than 136,000 new jobs in the U.S. It would also reduce dependence on foreign oil by 7 billion gallons and reduce emissions. "At the same time, preventing the Administration from implementing policies that will develop our nation's renewable fuel infrastructure will only limit consumer choice at the pump and maintain the status quo," said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.