While we all understand and can appreciate the positive impact that agriculture and renewable fuels have on the Iowa economy, we equally understand the potential negative consequences that mandates can have on small businesses and consumers across our state. That’s why we oppose the fuel mandate at the center of HF 2128.
If passed, this bill would require gas stations in Iowa to make E15 available at no less than 50 percent of their pumps. The infrastructure upgrades required to comply with this mandate would impose substantial new costs on small business owners with an even more significant impact in rural Iowa. We know some of the unintended consequences of this bill will include small-town gas stations being forced to close their business and fuel consumers having fewer options when filling up.
While being framed as a move that will be great for Iowa, this approach of picking winners and losers in our economy feels more like the Washington way of getting things done. Please contact your legislators today and ask them to oppose HF 2128 and any attempt to impose new fuel mandates on retailers and Iowa consumers.