The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will use existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88.
The National Corn Growers Association and state corn grower organizations, which have advocated for the move, praised the decision.
“The nation’s corn growers applaud today’s announcement which ensures consumers have access to lower-cost fuel choices over the summer,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of Ohio Corn & Wheat. “With additional retail locations, including Sheetz, offering Unleaded 88, consumers can save money and cut emissions over the summer driving season.”
“We appreciate EPA Administrator Regan’s timely action to prevent a disruption in E15 availability,” said Tom Haag, National Corn Growers Association President. “EPA’s action will help address fuel supply constraints and ensure drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice that cuts emissions.”
Continued access to E15 during the summer months will help relieve ongoing energy supply pressures. When EPA took similar action last year, drivers saved nearly a dollar per gallon in some locations and an average of 23 cents per gallon during the summer months, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. E15 continues to save consumers significantly at the pump.
Moreover, allowing uninterrupted E15 sales keeps a lower-emission fuel in the marketplace. In addition to being lower in carbon emissions, E15 has lower volatility than regular fuel, which is a 10% ethanol blend. And using E15 results in lower evaporative and exhaust emissions, important during the summer driving season.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Good decision! It would be wonderful if a more permanent solution would be enacted by Congress versus going through the lengthy and painful regulatory approval process each year. We have advocated for higher ethanol blends and applaud the approval. It will utilize more corn and, at the same time, help the environment and save consumers money at the pump. Utilizing more corn will help boost the corn market and put more money in the pockets of farmers/ranchers. And, we all know what that means – more money in the pocket leads to the potential for greater truck sales!
