The outlook for corn sales, the biggest U.S. crop, is in sharp focus in Congress in an effort to offer market relief for farmers. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) has again introduced legislation, S. 593, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, that would amend the Clean Air Act to allow year-round, nationwide sales of E15 gasoline (15 % ethanol blends) by applying the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver that currently only covers E10 fuel. While administrative waivers have applied the RVP waiver to E15 fuel, this legislation would make it permanent. The bill has garnered notable bipartisan support. Fischer has been joined by both Republican and Democratic senators in reintroducing this legislation. While the legislation has failed to get over the finish line for years, with more than a third of U.S. corn used each year to make ethanol, the industry and farm state lawmakers are hoping to find a way to quickly pass the measure early this year. That includes potentially adding it to funding legislation needed by Jan. 30 to keep the government open.
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