Klobuchar helps introduce legislation to lower fuel prices, improve vehicle efficiency

Brandon Marshall

(ABC 6 News) – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) along with Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced bipartisan legislation to lower fuel prices and improve vehicle efficiency.

Klobuchar, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, help introduce The Next Generation Fuels Act, which would allow the sale of fuels with higher-octane levels and greater amounts of ethanol, helping to bolster engine efficiency and help lower gas prices.

“I’ve long pushed for investments in readily-available, domestically produced biofuels, which represent an affordable and clean energy option for consumers,” said Klobuchar. “By allowing the use of higher biofuel blends in our fuel supply, our bipartisan legislation will help decrease prices at the pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and benefit our economy and environment alike.”

Due to ethanol’s high-octane rating, greater ethanol blends result in both additional fuel efficiency and significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Ethanol is also priced lower than gasoline, making it the most cost-effective octane source.

The Next Generation Fuels Act would:

  • Establish a minimum research octane number (RON) standard of 98 for gasoline;
  • Require sources of the added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to baseline gasoline;
  • Decarbonize liquid fuels as vehicle technologies advance; and
  • Institute a new limit on harmful aromatics content, ensures that progress already made to expand the use of ethanol while lowering emissions continues.

The legislation is supported by the National Corn Growers Association, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy. Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL).

“The bill would pave the way for advancements in engine designs that significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency. It would also allow more drivers to access the benefits of higher ethanol blends, which include significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions and lower costs at the pump. We appreciate the work of this bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation that would lower fuel prices, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen American energy independence and look forward to working to secure its passage,” said Bryan Biegler, Minnesota Corn Growers Association President.

Klobuchar has long been a strong advocate for investing in renewable fuel infrastructure, increasing American biofuel production, and upholding the Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Last week, she and Grassley led a bipartisan group of 22 colleagues in urging the Biden administration to increase biodiesel volumes to moderate fuel prices and benefit the economy and environment.