WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 26, U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation the senators said would help improve vehicle efficiency, and save Americans money at the pump.

Grassley said the proposal would allow the sale of fuels with greater octane levels and would increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply, in turn lowering prices.

“Unstable gas prices have left many families – especially rural families – with a lot of budget uncertainty,” he said. “The Next Generation Fuels Act would gradually ramp up the use of homegrown ethanol at gas stations across the country, making Americans less reliant on foreign oil, and less vulnerable to the anti-competitive tactics of OPEC.

“As we look to the future of liquid fuels, this legislation can play a critical role in restoring energy independence, saving consumers money, lowering carbon emissions, and expanding the market for farmers and ethanol producers,” he added.

The Next Generation Fuels Act is sponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, along with five bipartisan co-sponsors: Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri; Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky; Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri; and Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois.

Grassley said the bill provides automakers with more options to meet increasingly stringent fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards by utilizing ethanol blends up to 30 percent in vehicles designed and warranted for these fuels.

Ernst said, “This is a no-brainer. This bipartisan legislation will move America closer to energy independence and away from relying on our adversaries, all while lowering costs for consumers and supporting our hardworking farmers and biofuel producers.”

Chris Edgington, National Corn Growers Assoc. president, and St. Ansgar, Iowa, farmer, said, “The Next Generation Fuels Act would lower fuel prices, reduce carbon emissions, and shore-up America’s energy security for the long run.”

Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, said, “This important legislation supports usage of higher-level blends of ethanol, which the National Farmers Union has long supported.”

Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO, said the Next Generation Fuels Act represents a clear roadmap for delivering cleaner, more affordable options at the pump for American drivers.

“With a natural octane of 113, ethanol is the only high-performance, renewable fuel ready to help decarbonize cars on the road today – and with the added benefit of offering consumers significant savings at the pump,” she said.

Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Assoc. president and CEO said, “This bill provides those sensible solutions, and we look forward to working with clean fuel supporters in both chambers of Congress to turn this bold vision into a reality.”

Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Assoc., said the Next Generation Fuels Act lays out “a common-sense path forward for low-cost biofuels.”

“While multifaceted, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Assoc. is very excited the bill would ensure new vehicles are compatible with higher biofuel blends,” he said. “This often-overlooked fact is key to allow ethanol to compete based on its high octane, low cost, and low carbon profile.”

He said policy proposals that leave ethanol blends essentially capped at 10 percent are not technology neutral.

“Given a fair chance, we strongly believe biofuels like ethanol will continue to benefit consumers and the environment for decades to come,” he said. “No one has done more to fight for biofuels than Sen. Grassley, and we look forward to working with him to pursue opportunities to move this bill forward.”