News

Ethanol industry looking for permanent fix for year-round E15

The ethanol industry is focused on finding a permanent solution for year-round E15 in 2024.

American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings tells Brownfield Congress continues to work on legislation to remove outdated EPA regulations that prohibit the sale of E15 during the summer.

“The trick would be can we find a way to attach it to a must-pass vehicle between now and the end of the year, knowing there are very few legislative days (and) know there are very few legislative vehicles moving.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says seven Midwestern governors have also asked the EPA to allow their states to opt out of the program that limits E15 sales.

“And they’re simply waiting for EPA to say ‘yes, that’s fine.’ And they say ‘yes that’s fine’ with a rulemaking, but there is an official process that has to come to completion so at least those seven states can offer E15.”

She says those states, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, make up about 11 percent of the U.S. fuel market.

Brownfield interviewed Skor and Jennings during the 2023 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention in Kansas City, Missouri this week.

Brian Jennings interview:

Emily Skor interview: