Key facts
- Supporters are trying to attach E15 gasoline sales expansion to a larger bill in the U.S. Senate.
- Concessions are being offered to the refining industry to gain support.
- The House of Representatives narrowly passed the E15 measure in May.
- The Senate requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
- Negotiations are ongoing regarding exemptions for small refineries from biofuel blending mandates.
Supporters of expanding nationwide sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline are employing a strategy to attach the provision to a larger bill currently being considered in the U.S. Senate. This approach aims to navigate the divided political landscape by offering concessions to the refining industry in an effort to preempt opposition. The House of Representatives narrowly passed the E15 measure in May, exposing regional and ideological divides that are likely to shape the Senate debate. Supporters must assemble 60 votes to overcome a filibuster threshold, making negotiations complex. Key negotiations involve potential adjustments to the Small Refinery Exemptions (SRE) language, including the eligibility threshold and the degree to which larger refiners should compensate for exempted volumes. If passage fails this session, supporters may attempt to include it in future legislation, such as the 2027 appropriations bill.