Senate Considers Year-Round E15 Sales Amid Strong Corn Industry Support
The US Senate is considering legislation to allow year-round sales of E15, a blend of gasoline and ethanol. Proponents of the measure say it would strengthen the corn industry, create jobs, and lower fuel costs for consumers.
Aroundtable discussion hosted by Rep. Julie Fedorchak highlighted the benefits of E15 for North Dakota's agriculture sector. The state's five ethanol plants use around 210 million bushels of corn each year, accounting for nearly half of the state's crop in a typical year.
According to an estimate from the biofuels and corn industry, nationwide adoption of E15 would add $25.8 billion to the US economy and create 128,000 jobs. The North Dakota corn industry generated an average of $7.3 billion annually in gross business volume from 2020-22 and produced $1.9 billion in labor income.
Fedorchak urged the Senate to pass the legislation, saying 'North Dakota farmers are the best in the world, but they need strong, reliable markets for what they produce.'