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Nebraska Legislature advances E15 bill with additional amendments

Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require retailers to sell E15 fuel year-round at half of their dispensers as the state transitions its fuel supply from E10 to higher blends.

Ethanal producer Jon Cosby with E-Energy Adams tells Brownfield there’s enough infrastructure to support transitioning E10 to E15. “There has been major investments and support from the federal government and state government to put in infrastructure to be able to get access to E15 and it’s only growing. It’s only getting better.”

The bill was amended after first round-approval saying 50 percent requirement only applies if a retailer builds a new fuel site or replaces more than 80 percent of storage and dispensing infrastructure.

Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director with Renewable Fuels Nebraska tells Brownfield the science is clear. “It is safe for people to both pump and utilize in their vehicle E 15 year-round. The EPA has never updated their language to allow that for the fuel retailers.”

Another amendment would increase the state income tax credit for retainers over a period of five years.

The bill has an additional round of debate, and Governor Jim Pillen is expected to sign it.