Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, on March 18 reintroduced the Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act, which aims to compel the federal government to compare the financial and environmental costs of electric vehicles and E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs).The legislation directs the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office and U.S. Secretary of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing the entire federal gasoline-powered vehicle fleet with either electric vehicles or E-85 capable flex fuel cars and trucks. The U.S. Secretary of Energy would be required to report the findings to Congress.&nbsp;Feenstra introduced previous versions of the bill in <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/feenstra-bill-aims-to-compare-e85-ffvs-electric-vehicles-18679">2021</a> and <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/feenstra-introduces-3-bills-to-boost-research-for-biobased-fuels-19987">2023</a>.The current bill, H.R. 2188, was referred the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce following its introduction. To date, Reps. Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; and Zachary Nunn, R-Iowa, have signed on to cosponsor the legislation.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I appreciate President Trump for ending the Biden administration’s radical electric-vehicle mandate on our families, farmers, and businesses. Electric vehicles are expensive, unreliable, and unworkable, especially in rural communities. The components needed to make EV batteries are also largely sourced from China, and we should not be bankrolling the Chinese Communist Party’s mission to undermine the United States and hurt our economy,” Feenstra said. “I introduced the COST Act to ensure that we consider the full financial and environmental costs of replacing the entire federal vehicle fleet with either electric vehicles or E-85 flex fuel cars and trucks. By promoting flex fuel vehicles, we can support Iowa’s farmers and biofuel producers, prioritize homegrown U.S. fuels over foreign batteries, and strengthen our strategic position against China. Representing the largest biofuel-producing congressional district in the nation, I will continue to advocate for liquid fuels and homegrown energy.”“There is no doubt in our mind that over the next decade low carbon biofuels will out preform electric vehicles if judged by sound science. Unfortunately, we repeatedly see policy makers put their fingers on the scales. Rep. Feenstra’s biofuels bill will help ensure the competition is on a level, scientifically-based playing field,”&nbsp;said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “Hailing from the most renewable congressional district in the country, Rep. Feenstra has emerged as a true leader for renewable fuels in Congress. IRFA members thank Rep. Feenstra for his constant efforts to promote home-grown, lower-cost biofuels.”“Iowa corn growers appreciate Congressman Feenstra’s dedication to expanding and protecting Iowa’s biofuel industry,”&nbsp;said Mark Mueller, Iowa Corn Growers Association vice president and farmer from Waverly, Iowa. “As the number one state for ethanol production, it is imperative that we continue to increase biofuel demand. Consumers deserve an affordable, homegrown, cleaner-burning fuel at the pump and farmers need increased corn demand; the COST Act is a step in the right direction.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

2025-03-19 - Feenstra introduces bill to promote E85 FFVs for federal fleet (Ethanol Producer Magazine)

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Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, on March 18 reintroduced the COST Act, which aims to compel the federal government to compare the financial and environmental costs of electric vehicles and E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs).

Feenstra introduces bill to promote E85 FFVs for federal fleet

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