National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Lynn Chrisp praised an announcement from President Trump, setting the necessary regulatory steps in motion to allow for year-round sales of E15.
“Corn farmers across the country have been advocating for year-round sales of higher ethanol blends like E15 to help grow demand, provide consumers with more options at the pump and improve economic conditions across rural America,” said Chrisp. “We thank President Trump for following through on his commitment to America’s farmers.”
Outdated regulations currently require retailers in many areas of the country to stop selling E15, a blend of gasoline and 15 percent ethanol approved for all vehicles 2001 and newer, during the summer months. Updating this regulation will give consumers year-round access to a fuel choice that can save them between three and 10 cents per gallon.
“Earlier this year, the President correctly described this barrier as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘ridiculous’,” said Chrisp. “The President also faced pressure to fix this regulatory problem through a bad deal that would have been harmful to farmers. He made the right decision to move this common-sense regulatory relief on its own, and farmers are very grateful.”
Updating this regulation, which was issued before the EPA approved E15 in 2011, will also further environmental policy goals because E15 and other higher blends produce lower evaporative and tailpipe emissions.
“With nine out of ten vehicles on the road today approved to use E15, consumers should have this lower-cost option year-round,” said Chrisp. “NCGA will be taking an active role in the regulatory process, urging EPA to move forward with making the President’s commitment a reality by next summer.”
Chrisp also thanked USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Iowa Senators Grassley and Ernst for their steadfast support of ethanol and corn farmers.