Bill Summary
The "Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2025" is legislation aimed at promoting the use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) by allowing manufacturers to apply a reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions value when calculating fleet average standards for these vehicles. Specifically, the Act mandates that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revise existing regulations to permit a CO2 emissions value that is 31% lower for FFVs compared to their non-flexible counterparts. This adjustment is based on findings from the GREET model, which indicates that E85 fuel, made from corn starch ethanol, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation also allows for potential further reductions in the CO2 value if supported by updated GREET model analysis, thereby encouraging manufacturers to produce and promote more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Possible Impacts
The "Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways, including:
1. **Increased Availability of Flexible Fuel Vehicles**: By allowing manufacturers to use lower carbon dioxide values for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), the legislation may incentivize automakers to produce more FFVs. This could lead to greater availability of these vehicles in the market, giving consumers more options for environmentally friendly transportation. As a result, individuals may have easier access to vehicles that can run on alternative fuels, potentially lowering their overall carbon footprint.
2. **Potential Cost Savings for Consumers**: If manufacturers are allowed to count lower CO2 emissions for FFVs, they may be able to meet regulatory standards more easily, which could lead to cost savings in production. These savings might be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices for flexible fuel vehicles. Additionally, if consumers opt for E85 fuel (which is often cheaper than gasoline), they could see further savings at the pump, benefiting their financial situation.
3. **Environmental Impact and Public Health Benefits**: By promoting the use of E85 fuel, which has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent compared to gasoline, the legislation could lead to improved air quality and reduced environmental harm. This change may benefit public health by decreasing the prevalence of air pollution-related health issues, such as respiratory problems and heart disease, ultimately leading to healthier communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2291 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2291
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to
ensure that flexible fuel vehicles may use certain gram per mile carbon
dioxide values for purposes of determining fleet average carbon dioxide
standards for certain vehicles.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 15, 2025
Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Ricketts) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to
ensure that flexible fuel vehicles may use certain gram per mile carbon
dioxide values for purposes of determining fleet average carbon dioxide
standards for certain vehicles.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDING.
Congress finds that the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and
Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model developed by Argonne National
Laboratory finds that E85 fuel made with average corn starch ethanol
reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent per mile traveled as
compared to gasoline with no ethanol.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Flexible fuel vehicle.--The term ``flexible fuel
vehicle'' has the meaning given the term in section 86.1803-01
of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the
date of enactment of this Act).
(3) Manufacturer.--The term ``manufacturer'' has the
meaning given the term in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. 7550).
SEC. 4. FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLE COMPLIANCE VALUE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise section 86.1818-
12 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure that, for
purposes of determining fleet average CO<INF>2</INF> standards under
that section, manufacturers may use a gram per mile CO<INF>2</INF>
value for flexible fuel vehicles that is 31 percent lower than the gram
per mile CO<INF>2</INF> value for the same vehicle make and model that
is not a flexible fuel vehicle.
(b) Further Adjustment.--The Administrator may, by regulation,
apply a larger percentage reduction in the gram per mile CO<INF>2</INF>
value for flexible fuel vehicles than the percentage described in
subsection (a) if the Administrator determines that the larger
percentage reduction is appropriate based on a version of the
Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies
(GREET) model developed by Argonne National Laboratory after the date
of enactment of this Act.
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