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Nebraska ethanol retailers can apply for tax credits helping boost demand for corn

Nebraska retailers that offer higher blends of ethanol can now apply for tax credits and Governor Pete Ricketts says that’s just one way to increase demand.

He tells Brownfield the other way is educating consumers. “It’s going to save them money at the pump. It’s going to clean up the environment. It’s great for our farmers and ranchers,” he says. “I think it has to be a hand-in-hand partnership of not only service stations expanding access to it, but also making sure we’re educating Nebraskans why they’re going to benefit from using higher blends of ethanol.”  

The Nebraska Legislature unanimously approved a bill in this year’s session that allocates money to retailers who add E15 blends or higher at their pumps.  

Chair of the state’s ethanol board Jan TenBensel tells Brownfield additional ethanol-use can create more economic activity and add value to the corn crop. “Tax incentives for higher-blends of ethanol can really, really help move the needle and help retailers with any minor expenses they will have by doing the switch over as we switch the fuel supply in Nebraska from an E10 base to an E15 base and higher.”

In Nebraska, E85 is available at 124 fueling stations and E15 is available at 112 fueling stations.