Duckworth Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Vehicle Efficiency and Lower Fuel Costs

Duckworth Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Vehicle Efficiency and Lower Fuel Costs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in reintroducing the bipartisan Next Generation Fuels Act, legislation that would leverage higher-octane fuels to improve engine efficiency and performance. Allowing the sale of fuels with greater octane levels would increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply, in turn lowering prices at the pump for consumers.

"It's shameful that Big Oil is continuing to use Putin's war of choice as an excuse to drive up prices and rake in huge profits off the backs of hardworking Americans," said Duckworth. "It is past time we offer better options at the pump to help lower costs, decrease carbon emissions and reduce reliance on foreign oil while helping Illinois farmers grow the food and fuel we need, and I'm proud to help re-introduce this bipartisan bill that would do just that."

"Instead of continuing to buy more oil from foreign adversaries, we should be increasing the use of ethanol made by biofuel producers right here in the United States," said Grassley. "The Next Generation Fuels Act would help put America back on the path to energy independence while easing the pain at the pump. It's good for consumers, good for farmers and biofuel producers, and good for the environment. This is the right approach to energy policy, and I'm proud to work with my colleagues to reintroduce this bill."

A copy of the bill text is available here.

While Big Oil has been taking advantage of hardworking families, Duckworth has been diligent in working to save Americans money at the pump while continuing to be a long-time supporter of the use of ethanol to lower costs, emissions and improve our energy security using domestic fuel sources. Following the news that Big Oil companies made record-breaking profits last year while working families struggled to afford sky-high gas prices, Duckworth reintroduced her Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act, legislation that would crack down on this sort of corporate greed by preventing the oil industry from engaging in gasoline price gouging. Duckworth also helped introduce the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would make E15 available year round.

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