US Sen. Ricketts leads resolution announcing Renewable Fuels Month in America

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska and member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, led a bipartisan resolution May 16 to designate May 2024 as Renewable Fuels Month in America.

“Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel are a win for Nebraska and a win for America,” Ricketts said. “This resolution recognizes the essential role renewable fuels play in lowering prices for consumers, reducing our impact on the environment, supporting rural communities and lessening our reliance on foreign adversaries. I want to thank this bipartisan group of colleagues for their support and call on all Americans to continue choosing renewable fuels.”

Additional cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois; Roger Marshall, R-Kansas; John Thune, R-South Dakota; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; Tina Smith, D-Minnesota; Jerry Moran, R-Kansas; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska; and Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota.

The resolution also has the support of Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, and Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“Clean Fuels thanks Sen. Ricketts for highlighting the importance and supporting continued growth of the biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel industry,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels. “We also applaud his leadership in working to open new fuel markets for Nebraska soybean farmers like marine, by introducing the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor added, “Sen. Ricketts has long been an advocate for America’s renewable fuels industry, and we commend him for introducing this resolution. Today, American-made bioethanol is lowering carbon emissions while saving consumers money, and with the right policies, it could be doing even more. We hope Renewable Fuels Month becomes an annual event that calls attention to the many benefits our industry delivers for the rural economy, the environment and the nation’s energy security.” 

Dawn Caldwell of Renewable Fuels Nebraska said, “Renewable fuels like ethanol are the clearest sign of America’s continued energy leadership. They lower costs for our families at the gas pump, they minimize our impact on the environment, and they strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign energy—all while providing economic opportunities for our farmers, ranchers and producers. We’re grateful to Sens. Ricketts and Fischer and their colleagues for shining a light on renewable fuels this month, as well as for finding ways to encourage even greater growth in our industry.”

The text of the resolution can be found here.