WASHINGTON, DC (WSAU) — US Senator Tammy Baldwin has signed on to a bill to incentivize the production of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel as gas prices continue to climb, introduced on Wednesday as the Home Front Energy Independence Act.
“I support punishing Putin with a ban on Russian oil imports to the U.S. and I support this bipartisan legislation to help Wisconsinites who are feeling the Putin price spike at the pump,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bipartisan solution will increase production and use of Made in America biofuel and help lower costs for Americans when they fill up their tank at the pump.”
According to a press release from Baldwin’s office the legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and is also cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).
The Home Front Energy Independence Act combines elements of several previous bills aimed at supporting and incentivizing the use of American biofuel, including the Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Product Market Expansion Act of 2021, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, the Low Carbon Biofuel Credit Act, and the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2021. It would also put into law full restrictions on U.S. purchases of Russian oil until the president determines Russia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Baldwin’s announcement came as the average price for a gallon of gas ticked up to $3.99 in the Badger state, with many areas in the Northwoods paying north of $4.00 including in Wausau and Green Bay.
It’s unclear when any action on the proposal will be taken.
