President Donald Trump has directed the EPA to remove current restrictions on E15 so that it may be sold year-round throughout the country, according to a release from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).
They say that the move will help Iowa farmer and ethanol producers.
IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said that that E15 sale will increase once the restrictions are removed as current and new retailers will make E15 more available.
“It’s hard to find the proper adjectives to describe how exciting it is to see year-round E15 move forward,” said Shaw. “We have worked non-stop on this issue for seven years while the unjustified restrictions hampered retailers from offering E15. We are grateful that President Trump took this historic action to boost ethanol and corn demand. Simply put, it is a promise made and a promise kept.”
Shaw also thanked Iowa leader for speaking and working with Trump to take action, including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Reynolds said in a statement that she is eager to see sales of E15 grow.
“Iowa is the United States’ largest producer of ethanol, and this announcement will provide positive momentum for our hard-working farmers. Across the state, we routinely see customers choosing lower cost, higher octane fuels like E15, when given the option. Despite previous summertime restrictions, Iowa’s E15 sales grew by 193 percent. And the number of Iowa fuel stations offering their customers the option of E15 grew from 40 to 217 over the last year. In Iowa, we regularly see a price advantage for E15 to be 10 cents below E10 and 44-50 cents below E0.”
She also said that Trump is committed to Iowa farmers.
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was at the White House when Trump anounced his directive.
In a statement, she said, “Granting the sale of E15 year-round will mean that Iowans will see an increase in farm income, increased ethanol production and consumption and a boost in our economy. E15 year-round also gives people across the country more choice at the pump. As EPA fulfills the president’s directive on reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard to better serve the American farmer, I look forward to working with EPA on their plans for increased transparency around the RIN marketplace.”
“As the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production, today’s action is especially exciting for Iowa. Granting the sale of E15 year-round will mean that Iowans will see an increase in farm income, increased ethanol production and consumption and a boost in our economy. E15 year-round also gives people across the country more choice at the pump. As EPA fulfills the president’s directive on reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard to better serve the American farmer, I look forward to working with EPA on their plans for increased transparency around the RIN marketplace,” said Senator Ernst.
Senator John Thune of South Dakota also praised the president’s actions.
“Today’s announcement will be welcome news to farmers throughout the Midwest and Great Plains,” said Thune in a statement. “Since year-round E15 sales would naturally help lower fuel prices, this also means consumers across the country will have more affordable choices at the pump, in addition to reinforcing American energy dominance.”
