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Corn growers fund E15 testing in California

More tests are underway to potentially expand E15 ethanol use in California.  Tom Gillis is on the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board and the National Corn Growers Ethanol Action Group. He says, “As we speak, there is a test going on in California” adding, “They are actually checking emissions tests to move to an E15-based biofuels additive and we’re checking cars that go back as much as ten-plus years old.” The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association says the testing is being done at the University of California at Riverside.

Gillis says the tests will help California develop E15 emissions standards, which can bring ethanol consumption up in that state, and eventually elsewhere.

Gillis says getting California to move towards E15 has many benefits. “As we well know, between the population and the amount of fuel they use, you know that getting to a higher blend rate in California would be very beneficial to an increased usage of corn biofuels and of course, address the climate issues.”

What remains unclear is if the testing will lead to long-term use in California and if west coast ethanol will be U.S. corn-based or Brazilian sugarcane-based ethanol.  Sugarcane-based ethanol also has an advantage as it generates more carbon credits than corn-based ethanol under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Governor Gavin Newsome issued an executive order that all new vehicles sold in California have zero emissions by 2035. 

Gillis says the action group does consumer ethanol education and they work with the fuel pump manufacturers to deliver retailers higher blend solutions.  He says their efforts are funded by checkoff dollars.

Note: The tests were originally quoted as being done at Oak Ridge Laboratories, but have been corrected with new information from the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association.