Year-Round E15 Sales Could Boost Corn Industry and Save Consumers Money

Representative Julie Fedorchak hosted an ethanol industry roundtable to discuss the benefits of allowing year-round sales of gasoline with 15% ethanol, known as E15. The U.S. House has passed a bill to allow this, but it still needs to clear the Senate.

The restriction on higher ethanol use exists because past studies showed possible detrimental effects of burning E15 in summer months. However, panel members pointed out that some other countries allow much higher ethanol blends, and Brazil is mandating at least 32% ethanol in gasoline as of August 1.

North Dakota has seen significant growth in corn production since ethanol production took off 20 years ago, with the state now growing over 4.5 million acres of corn. The majority of this corn goes to five ethanol plants that process 80% of the corn and produce livestock feed as a byproduct.

Experts believe that allowing E15 sales year-round would change the economics for businesses and provide additional benefits, including carbon capture at ethanol plants, which could boost North Dakota oil production. Other potential areas for expansion include sustainable aviation fuel, ethanol use in maritime shipping, and tractors that burn ethanol instead of diesel.