Krishnamoorthi Urges Year-Round E15 Sales to Lower Gas Prices as Trump’s Iran War

CHICAGO — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today held a press event at a Chicago gas station alongside Jon Hurst, Director of Public Policy for the Illinois Corn Growers Association, to highlight how rising oil prices driven by President Trump’s war with Iran are increasing costs for Illinois families and to call for year-round nationwide E15 sales to help lower prices at the pump.

“President Trump’s illegal, unconstitutional war in Iran is pushing oil prices higher and making the affordability crisis he created even worse,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “In addition to this conflict’s growing human and financial costs, it is also making life more expensive for families here at home. While ending the war must be our foremost priority, we should also be using every tool available to bring costs down. Allowing year-round E15 sales would give drivers a cheaper option at the pump while supporting Midwest farmers and strengthening American energy production — helping Illinois families weather the current price shocks and reducing long-term costs.”

E15 is a gasoline blend made with 15 percent ethanol—much of it produced from corn grown by Midwest farmers—and it often sells for 10 to 30 cents less per gallon than standard gasoline. Expanding year-round access to E15 would help keep a lower-cost fuel option available to drivers while supporting American agriculture and domestic energy production. However, federal fuel rules currently restrict nationwide E15 sales during the summer months unless temporary waivers are issued. Krishnamoorthi is urging the Trump administration to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to allow E15 sales this summer while Congress works toward a permanent nationwide solution allowing year-round E15 sales.