{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-resolution-designating-may-as-renewable-fuels-month/", "Ricketts Introduces Resolution Designating May as Renewable Fuels Month", "2026-05-21", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Pete Ricketts", "R000618", "www.ricketts.senate.gov", "ricketts", "https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a bipartisan resolution to designate May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month. The resolution highlights the critical role renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, play in lowering fuel prices for consumers, unleashing American energy independence, protecting the environment, and supporting rural communities. Original cosponsors include Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jerry Moran (R-KS).\n\n\u201cRenewable fuels are a win for Nebraska and a win for America,\u201d said Senator Ricketts. \u201cThey save consumers money at the pump, are good for the environment, and help farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans. Renewable fuels also strengthen American energy independence. I am proud to lead this resolution on behalf of Nebraska farmers and ranchers.\u201d\n\nU.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cFor more than a decade, Iowa farmers and biofuel producers were told to wait \u2014 wait for another waiver, another study, or another Congress to act,\u201d said Representative Nunn. \u201cThis year, we stopped waiting and started delivering. The House passed year-round, nationwide E15, bringing Congress closer than ever to making permanent access to higher biofuel blends the law of the land. Iowa\u2019s renewable fuels industry has earned that certainty, and this bicameral resolution recognizes the farmers, producers, and innovators who made Iowa the nation\u2019s leader in homegrown energy.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Renewable Fuels Association, Clean Fuels Alliance, National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), Growth Energy, and Fuels America.\n\nKurt Kovarik, VP of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America said, \u201cClean Fuels thanks Senator Ricketts and applauds his resolution designating May 2026 Renewable Fuels Month. There\u2019s no better time \u2013 as Americans begin their summer plans, energy security is top of mind. Biodiesel and renewable diesel are needed now more than ever to meet 10% of the nation\u2019s diesel fuel demand and keep the American economy moving.\u201d\n\n\u201cRenewable Fuels Month provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of American-made biofuels like ethanol,\u201d said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. \u201cEthanol blends, especially lower-cost E15 and E85, can help American families save money while cutting emissions, strengthening the rural economy and bolstering energy independence. We thank Sen. Ricketts for his leadership and strong support for farmers and ethanol producers.\u201d\n\n\u201cAcross the country, and especially in Nebraska, investments in soybean processing and biomass-based diesel are transforming rural economies, supporting hardworking farmers, and expanding America\u2019s domestic energy capacity,\u201d said Devin Mogler, President and CEO of NOPA. \u201cDuring Renewable Fuels Month, we celebrate how these investments are boosting domestic manufacturing, strengthening rural America, and helping secure American energy dominance for generations to come.\u201d\n\nDawn Caldwell, Renewable Fuels Nebraska said, \u201cNebraska\u2019s farmers and ranchers feed the world\u2014and thanks to our world-class ethanol producers, we help fuel it, too. Renewable fuels like ethanol boost our family farms\u2019 bottom line, support good jobs across the state, and attract investment into our rural communities. And just as importantly: They keep costs down for drivers at the gas pump while improving our air quality. Renewable Fuels Nebraska appreciates Senator Ricketts\u2019 commitment to celebrating the enormous impact of this industry, and our members are grateful for his work alongside Senator Fischer and their colleagues aimed at opening more markets and creating more opportunities for our workers and producers to deliver high-quality, homegrown energy.\u201d\n\nEmily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy said, \u201cWith global events driving up fuel prices, Renewable Fuels Month is a timely reminder that every gallon of homegrown biofuel helps put downward pressure on fuel costs while strengthening the rural economy. U.S. farmers and biofuel producers are among the leading innovators in the energy sector, continually increasing efficiency, finding solutions to market challenges, and positioning America for long-term success at home and abroad. We are proud to stand with Senator Ricketts and other leaders who are working hard to strengthen the renewable fuels industry and ensure these innovators can continue delivering value to American consumers.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nNebraska is a national leader in biofuel production, consistently ranking as the second-largest ethanol producer in the United States. In 2024, Nebraska had 24 operating ethanol plants with a production capacity of over 2.2 billion gallons. Approximately 35% of Nebraska\u2019s corn crop in 2024 was utilized in ethanol production. The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that U.S.-produced ethanol displaced the need for 640 million barrels of imported oil in 2025.", 1, "2026-05-22T06:27:39Z", "2026-05-22T06:29:18Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-resolution-designating-may-as-renewable-fuels-month/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.2149370051920414, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}