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
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.
Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
Ethanol and corn groups are not hiding their disappointment over new reports that the bill to allow year-round E15 sales failed as Congress forges ahead on government funding, with another shutdown looming.

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:

New Fed surveys show farmland values remain historically high, though some Upper Midwest markets are beginning to soften.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez says producers are concerned about the potential impact on cattle operations and livestock values.
A marriage into a South Georgia farm family sparked a lifelong commitment to agriculture.
Greg and Janis Thoren earned the honor for their conservation-minded approach to raising cattle and crops
Merck Animal Health shared insights on calf health at the Moly Manufacturing Beef and Greet.
Dr. Patrick Webb, Assistant Chief Veterinarian with the National Pork Board, discusses New World Screwworm biosecurity outside of cattle production.