By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – An Illinois congresswoman is looking to improve air quality around the state and increase the demand for biofuels through the Next Generation Fuels Act.

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) urges lawmakers to pass the act that requires a new high octane fuel to utilize low-carbon sources.

Rodney Weinzierl, executive director of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, says the act would work hand-in-hand with the auto industry.

“The auto industry, if the bill would pass, in model year ’26 and then again in model year ’31, so this is a long-term bill, will upgrade the technology of their engines to run on a much higher level of octane, which we believe will be mostly ethanol. And that will allow those engines to be much more efficient than are built today because of that higher octane, and thus get better mileage for the consumer.”

Speaking with WJBC’s Marc Strauss, Weinzierl said Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) is also a co-sponsor of the act along with six other congress members.

Weinzierl added that Congresswoman Busto’s bill would be a win-win scenario for consumers and producers.

“It will be cleaner air, both from a harmful aromatic reduction, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. So, the consumer benefits, the auto actually benefits, because they have more variety of vehicles that they can build, that consumers can have choice on. And we (Illinois Corn Growers Association) would benefit, of course, because ethical is the least expensive octane enhancer there is…And it’s a growing market for farmers today.”

The bill that was introduced this week has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for a vote.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].