E15 Policy Meets State Politics as Iowa Governor Primary Unfolds

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says the proposal would allow retailers to decide whether they want to offer E15 year-round.

DES MOINES, Iowa (RFD News) — Voters are heading to the polls today in six states, including Iowa, where U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-04) is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Governor Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election, making it Iowa’s first open primary in nearly two decades.

Feenstra, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, is one of five candidates competing in Iowa’s GOP primary. The race has drawn additional attention in recent days following President Trump’s endorsement of him.

Meanwhile, he continues advocating for year-round E15 sales after recently helping advance related legislation in the House.

“So for our farming community, for our producers, it’s so important,” Feenstra said. “I’ll also say this is that E15 is not a mandate. It’s just an opportunity that allows states to sell it year-round. It allows retailers to decide if they want to sell it in Iowa — 50% of our retailers currently sell it. This just creates an opportunity for the certainty that the retailers wanted to have, that they’re certain to sell at 12 months out of the year. That’s why, from all states, I believe that there’s going to be a great movement forward to selling this product and helping our producers and creating more domestic energy.”

If the federal measure to legalize year-round sales of E15 remains a standalone bill in the Senate — rather than being added back to the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill — it would require 60 votes before heading to President Trump’s desk.

Related Stories
USDA will elevate its “Plant Not Plastic” initiative and promote American cotton over synthetic fibers.
The investigation does not prove wrongdoing, but it raises federal scrutiny of a major cost center for crop producers.
The state-level focus is split between labeling and sales restrictions.
Richard Gupton says reliable roads, bridges and rail systems remain essential for ag retailers and the broader farm supply chain.
The pricing signals come as biofuel and corn groups continue to press Congress for permanent nationwide E15 access.
The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West coasts under a single carrier.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The U.S. Meat Export Federation continues building global relationships aimed at creating new opportunities for U.S. livestock producers
Illinois FFA President Natalie Pratt reflects on a year serving members across the state and plans for the state’s upcoming conference.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s annual event focused on herd management, cattle markets, and the future of the beef industry.
Dry weather and limited freeze damage are helping produce some of the best blueberry quality growers have seen in years.
The Louisiana farm combines fresh produce and agricultural education for families across the state.
LSU economist Dr. Michael Deliberto says fewer planted acres could tighten supplies and support prices for producers.