Well, it was not a moment too soon. In fact, it was down to the wire. The Environmental Protection Agency has allowed the year-round sales of E15 blends of gasoline. This move reverses old rules which prohibited the sale of E15 during the summer driving season, which begins on June 1st. The agriculture industry is applauding this move.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig responded by saying:
?I want to thank Administrator Wheeler for following through on President Trump?s promise to Iowans to provide year-round access to E15,? Secretary Naig. ?This rule represents a long overdue step toward creating a truly competitive fuel market, where cleaner burning, lower-cost biofuel blends are available to all consumers. This means stronger markets for farm families across Iowa who have been struggling with ongoing low commodity prices and trade tensions. It also creates operational efficiencies for fuel marketers and instills confidence in the renewable fuels market, which spurs investments in infrastructure.?
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said:
?The Iowa biofuels community thanks President Trump for delivering on his promise to allow consumers year-round access to E15. This is positive news for rural Iowa at a time when we can really use it. E15 will provide an immediate boost for ethanol demand and the long-term potential is quite significant. As a lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel, E15 has been in high demand where it has been available. The key for this rule is not just that it approves year-round E15, but that it does so based on the best science and legal precedents that will survive the Big Oil onslaught in court. The petroleum industry has tried everything to stop this day from coming. It?s no surprise they don?t want to compete with E15, which is lower-cost, cleaner, and higher-octane.?
Iowa Corn Growers Association President Curt Mether stated:
?Year-round E15 has been a top priority for the Iowa Corn Growers Association? (ICGA), and we are happy to see the EPA recognize and follow through with President Trump?s promise on E15. The rule provides consumers uninterrupted access to E15 across the country so they can take advantage of this higher octane, more environmentally friendly fuel. The summer driving season is here and having access to E15 during this time is a step in the right direction for Iowa corn farmers and drivers.?
?We?ve advocated for the passing of E15 for a long time, and it?s satisfying to finally have an end result to a rule ICGA, and its members are passionate about market access for homegrown ethanol fuels. We?ve advocated for the passing of E15 for a long time, and it?s satisfying to finally have an end result with a rule ICGA members are passionate about providing market access for homegrown ethanol fuels,?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says:
?I appreciate President Trump?s steadfast support for our patriotic farmers and for his commitment to expand the sale of E15 and unleash the full potential of American innovation and ingenuity as we continue to demonstrate our rightful place as the world?s leader in agricultural and energy production,? said Secretary Sonny Perdue. ?This move to approve the year-round use of E15 in time for the summer driving season provides consumers with more choices when they fill up at the pump, driving demand for our farmers and improving the air we breathe. While the Trump Administration and USDA are expanding the ethanol market in the United States, we continue to fight for more export markets in Brazil, Mexico, China, and other countries across the globe. I applaud Administrator Andrew Wheeler for moving expeditiously to finalize this important E15 rule.?
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said:
?We are grateful to President Trump for delivering on his promise to unleash the power of E15 all year-long,? said Skor. ?The approval of year-round E15 is an incredible milestone for the biofuels industry, and the result of over a decade of hard work by Growth Energy, our members, our congressional champions, and folks all across rural America who made their voices heard.
?With year-round E15, retailers will have the regulatory certainty they need to offer American drivers a cleaner, more affordable fuel choice throughout the year. This action also means savings for American motorists at the pump and a sorely needed market for farmers who are facing a devastating economic downturn. We estimate this one change will generate over a billion new gallons of ethanol demand in the next five years. Over time, demand for E15 could boost the market for American grain by an additional two billion bushels.
?We appreciate the EPA?s efforts to get this rule over the finish line in time for the summer driving season. We will continue our work with the agency to ensure that the market for biofuels remains strong, and that means upholding the targets set by Congress and ensuring American drivers continue to benefit from true competition at the pump.?
Renewable Fuels Association President & CEO Geoff Cooper says:
?The ethanol industry thanks President Trump for personally championing this critical regulatory reform that will enhance competition, bolster the rural economy, and provide greater consumer access to cleaner, more affordable fuel options. We have always agreed with the President?s assertion that the outdated summertime prohibition on E15 was ?unnecessary? and ?ridiculous.? E15 already has a proven track record for saving drivers money at the pump and reducing emissions, and today?s action will ensure that more Americans are able to enjoy those benefits.?
The oil industry has vowed to sue over the decision.
