Peterson Statement: Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

(Washington DC) -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., yesterday joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The legislation lifts the summertime ban on E15 gasoline, allowing the renewable fuel to be sold year-round.

The bill would grant a one-pound per square inch ethanol waiver for applicable Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limitations for fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol between June 1 and September 15. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently prohibits E15 fuel sales in non-flex fuel vehicles during the summer months when most driving occurs due to fuel volatility limits.

“This bill is about reducing confusion for retailers and providing more fuel choices for consumers. This RVP fix is a common sense measure that grants the consistent sale of E15 at gas stations, a fuel that has become increasingly popular in Minnesota,” said Congressman Peterson.

According to a 2016 study published by the Federal Reserve Bank and Wilder Research, roughly 30 percent of Minnesotans have low retail access to healthy food.

“Many communities in Minnesota face challenges when it comes to connecting people to healthy, affordable food options,” said MDA Grants Specialist Ashley Bress. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential parts of a healthy diet. These grants help retailers stock those nutritious foods by purchasing equipment and related physical infrastructure, which can be an expensive barrier for smaller grocery stores and farmers markets.”

Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant funds may be used to purchase retail display coolers and freezers, storage coolers and freezers, shelving, mobile food trucks, permanent infrastructure at farmers markets, architectural work, and costs associated with the installation of equipment for physical improvements. For-profit and not-for-profit small food retailers and grocery stores (including farmers markets) are eligible recipients.

In addition to the Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant funds, approximately $75,000 for Technical Assistance Grants will be available through the Good Food Access Program later this spring.

To apply for Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants online, visit http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTcwMzAzLjcwNjgxOTgxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MDMwMy43MDY4MTk4MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTA4Mjk4JmVtYWlsaWQ9aW5mb0ByZWRsYWtlbmF0aW9ubmV3cy5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWluZm9AcmVkbGFrZW5hdGlvbm5ld3MuY29tJnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&http://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/gfapequipmentgrant.aspx. Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 P.M. Central Standard Time on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.