-- US lawmakers on Thursday decided to decouple nationwide, year-round sales of E15-blended gasoline from the Farm Bill, instead voting on it separately.
Last week, lawmakers introduced legislation as an amendment to the Farm Bill that would permit the sale of E15 year-round nationwide
Members of the House decided that E15 will be a separate vote when the chamber returns from recess the week of May 11, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper toldthe industry is disappointed.
"We were greatly disappointed that the vote to ensure year-round availability of lower-cost E15 as a fuel option for America's drivers has been delayed yet again," Cooper said.
"Given the strong year-round support E15 enjoys in both houses of Congress, among members of both political parties, in the White House and executive agencies, and especially among American voters, we expect to see a vote soon and to see this fuel available nationwide," the RFA chief said.
In January, lawmakers removed year-round E15 from a funding bill and instead formed the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to study the issue and introduce legislation in February.