Infrastructure and Legislature

By Sarah Bowman, Communications Director , FUELIowa

The passage of House File 2128 brought new challenges for FUELIowa. Focusing on the success of the law, the final piece of the puzzle to get the fuel to the consumer was missed – infrastructure.

FUELIowa knew this would be a challenge before the legislation passed last year. The summer and fall of 2022, FUELIowa lobbyist Marc Beltrame, along with his associate John Hirl, traveled the state discussing with legislators the infrastructure challenge facing FUELIowa members. Criss-crossing the state and traveling more than 1800 miles – from Davenport to Sheldon, and Osage to New Market, the need was addressed.

FUELIowa created a document showing the need for infrastructure to distribute E-15 to consumers (see flyer on page 11). This document was shared with members and legislators at the Legislative Lunch and Learns held in February across the state. Whether it was Carroll or Riverside, Council Bluffs or Dubuque, the story of the members remained the same.

One member said she would like to retire, and either sell her business or pass it to her children. However, if she did not upgrade to E-15, she would be placing this burden onto her children – something no parent wants for their children. If her children chose not to take over the family business, without the upgrade, her sell price wouldn’t be what it is worth. However, she would not be able to retire if the upgrade was made. The investment would take her retirement funds. She felt stuck.

The meetings were well received by legislators, so much so that the following day, a legislator reached out to the FUELIowa office for a copy of the E15 document handed out to legislators. This was positive, showing the discussion continued among legislators AFTER FUELIowa members left the hill.

FUELIowa Director of Government Affairs John Maynes has worked tirelessly connecting members with their legislators to reiterate their need for the infrastructure funding.

It was devastating to hear the stories, to hear the voices crack, to see the tears, when members shared the thought of losing their family business - because of this law. They don’t want to do this, they must. They can file an exemption, but they fear losing business by filing the exemption.

Many of these stores are the only location for rural Iowans to grab a gallon of milk, personal essentials, and the only place to refill their tanks for miles.

Seeing the need to reinforce the discussion with legislators, FUELIowa scheduled a Leaders and Legislators Day of meetings on March 15th at the Capitol. It wasn’t just board members and staff, professional installers joined the meetings and shared the struggle of placing the tanks and dispensers, along with supply chain issues, with the legislators. Members from large and small convenience stores, as well as the lobbyist for Co-ops attended the meetings, stating their need and answering multiple questions from legislators.

By showing a united message at the Capitol, during our Legislative Lunch and Learns, and through messages to legislators, the need has been expressed. As of the date of publication, FUELIowa continues to work with legislators in the hope of having additional funds in the budget for E15 infrastructure in Iowa.

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