ICYMI: Davids Works to Lower Prices on Gas, Internet for Kansans

Last week, Davids took multiple actions to lower costs for hardworking families in Kansas and across the country. First, she announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fulfilled her request to issue a national emergency fuel waiver, allowing the sale of cheaper-produced fuel and saving Kansas money at the gas pump. Then, she joined her New Democrat Coalition colleagues to urge U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to take immediate bipartisan action to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which saves Kansas households up to $30 per month on their internet bill.

The EPA’s waiver will allow for the sale of E15 – a fuel blended with 10.5 to 15 percent ethanol – during the 2024 summer season in Kansas. Because ethanol is produced domestically from local products and at a cheaper rate than unblended, unleaded gasoline, this action will lower the cost of gas for Kansans, support local agriculture professionals, and improve domestic supply chains.

Separately, the ACP currently empowers 23 million households — including 133,746 Kansas households — to access affordable broadband. The program was originally enacted as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law championed by Davids last Congress. However, without additional action from Congress, the ACP will cease entirely on April 30, and millions of households could lose crucial internet access.

KCTV 5: WATCH: EPA takes Davids-supported action to lower gas prices heading into summer

“The Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver to allow E15 gasoline to be sold during summer. It said the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East are leading to less supply and higher prices.

[…]

Several lawmakers, including Rep. Sharice Davids (Kan.-D) said they asked for the waiver.

‘Because ethanol is produced domestically from local products and at a cheaper rate than unblended, unleaded gasoline, this action will lower the cost of gas for Kansans, support local agriculture professionals, and improve domestic supply chains,’ according to a statement from Davids’ office.

Davids also pointed to other actions she supports to lower gas prices by:

• Cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would make the year-round sale of this fuel permanent nationwide.
• Voting for the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which allow retailers the ability to sell higher ethanol-blended fuels year-round,
• Helping to pass legislation that promotes sustainable aviation fuel, a liquid fuel that achieves significant emissions reduction compared to fossil-based jet fuel,
• Supporting legislation that expands biofuels infrastructure, opening up new market opportunities for sustainable fuel sources and lower energy costs for Kansas families,
• Pushing the President to suspend the federal gas tax, providing immediate relief to Kansans at the gas pump.

The EPA credits the Clean Air Act for approving the waiver.

‘Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will increase fuel supply, while supporting American farmers, strengthening our nation’s energy security, and providing relief to drivers across the country,’ Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, said.

[…]

EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 and will last through May 20, which is the maximum time allowed for the waiver.”

KSHB 41: WATCH: Davids supports federal action to prevent internet bill increases

“A program 23 million Americans have used over the last few years is set to ‘wind down,’ according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, helps low-income families and individuals pay for access to the internet.

[…]

Without action from Congress, April will be the last fully-funded month of the program. More than 500,000 people on both sides of the state line have benefitted from this program.

The White House said the state of Kansas has received $71,184,253 benefiting 133,746 households. Over the life of the program Missouri received $217,858,016, which helped 395,504 households.

[…]

‘To find out that I may lose that, well that’s a big difference,’ Woods said. ‘I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to shift that money here or pay for that here.’

[…]

Woods said he hopes Congress can keep their connection to constituents.

‘We need you to sit down at the table, listen to what the people want because that’s who you work for,’ he said. ‘Not for yourself or your own self gain. You work for the people, do something. Our voices are yelling out, help.’

[…]

Both the Senate and House are considering bills that would extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, but neither bill is scheduled for a vote. Members of the House launched a discharge petition, which is a procedure to essentially force a vote on the proposal.

U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D) and Emanuel Cleaver (D) both support extending the program. Republican U.S. Senators Roger Marshall of Kansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri also publicly support funding for the program.”