Agriculture industry reacts to EPA’s decision on Midwest E15 petitions

On Thursday, the EPA said it approved a request from eight Midwestern governors to allow expanded sales of E15 in their states, starting in 2025. Currently, the sale of E15 gasoline is restricted in the summer months.

E15 is a fuel blend composed of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The EPA has approved E15 for use in all cars, trucks, and SUVs made in model year 2001 and newer.

Agricultural industry groups released statements reacting to the news.

POET

POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels released the following statement.

“POET is grateful to the Midwestern governors who continue to champion year-round E15 in their respective states,” said Joshua Shields, POET Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “E15 reduces America’s reliance on foreign oil, cuts emissions, and lowers prices at the pump, and we’ve never needed all three more urgently as a nation. However, truly maximizing the benefits of E15 will require repealing outdated and unnecessary federal restrictions. A waiver for E15 this summer is an important next step, but Americans ultimately deserve a permanent nationwide fix guaranteeing the freedom to access E15 year-round in all 50 states.”

Growth Energy

Growth Energy is a Washington D.C. based biofuel trade association led by CEO Emily Skor.

In a statement, Skor said, “We commend EPA for finalizing its rule, and we thank the eight midwestern governors who have now successfully secured a future for year-round E15 in their states. This is a win for the residents of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and a win for biofuel producers and fuel retailers.

“While this is great news, drivers will need a solution for this summer to minimize disruptions and make sure they have the same access to E15 that they’ve had for the past five summers.

“E15 saves drivers money while helping them lower their carbon emissions. We look forward to working with policymakers to ensure that consumers can have permanent access to these benefits all year long.”

Renewable Fuels Association

The Renewable Fuels Association is a trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry with a mission to drive expanded demand for American-made renewable fuels and bioproducts world wide.

The organization released a statement Thursday afternoon calling the EPA’s decision “a double-edged sword for American consumers.”

“While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the Agency’s needless decision to delay implementation until 2025,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “It’s helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer? The Biden administration missed its statutory deadline to finalize the governors’ petition by more than 500 days, and now it claims there just isn’t enough time to implement the rule in time for summer 2024. Why should ethanol producers, farmers, fuel retailers, and consumers in these states be penalized for EPA’s foot-dragging and failure to meet a clear deadline? With the 2024 summer driving season just a few months away, we are urging the administration to take additional action that will ensure consumers have uninterrupted access to lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 this summer.”

Cooper also said RFA is urging Congress to adopt legislation that would resolve this issue permanently. “If Congress passed the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, we wouldn’t be in this situation. But a couple of stubborn East Coast refiners and their champions in the Senate continue to put up roadblocks to the enactment of this commonsense legislation that would slash emissions and reduce fuel prices for consumers. It’s time to lay aside parochial oil refiner interests and do what is right for the country.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)

The American Coalition for Ethanol is led by CEO Brian Jennings and Board President Dave Sovereign of Golden Grain Energy. According to the association’s website, ACE brings together ethanol producers, farmers, consumers, researchers, technology firms, Main Street businesses, automotive companies, cellulostic biofuel leaders, investors, rural electric cooperatives, and businesses that supply and benefit from the ethanol industry.

“As the saying goes, ‘better late than never,’ but EPA had a legal responsibility to approve E15 year-round in these states more than a year and a half ago, so postponing the effective date to April 28, 2025 is disappointing,” Jennings said. “While we are grateful this issue will be settled in Midwest states with more than half the current E15 retail sites, our urgent priority is to find a solution for continued nationwide access to E15 this summer. The Administration rightfully exercised its authority to grant emergency waivers in 2022 and 2023, and we will be pushing for a solution covering the summer of 2024 as well.

“In addition, ACE continues to actively support bipartisan legislation in Congress, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, to permanently enable all Americans to benefit from the cost savings and cleaner emissions of E15. This legislation will be one of our priority issues during our March 14-15 DC fly-in.

“Finally, ACE applauds the persistence of the governors of the eight Midwest states for leading the charge on this effort, as well as Attorneys General for Iowa and Nebraska for keeping the administration’s feet to the fire.”

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)

The National Corn Growers Association represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in theri state.

“We are glad to hear this decision from EPA, as it puts us on the road to providing more certainty to America’s corn growers and consumers who will save money at the pump,” said NCGA President and Minnesota Farmer Harold Wolle. “However, given that this decision will not take effect until the summer of 2025, we question and are concerned about the implications of the timeline for growers and consumers this summer.

Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA)

The Iowa Corn Growers Association is a 7,000 member grassroots organization serving members across Iowa and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability.

“We are very appreciative for all Governor Reynolds has done in leading the charge for access to higher blends of ethanol at the pump. With the EPA’s official ruling we can ensure all consumers across the state can save money and utilize products we grow right here in Iowa,” said Jolene Riessen a farmer from Ida Grove and Iowa Corn Growers Association President. “ICGA will continue to advocate alongside the National Corn Growers Association and our biofuels partners for a solution to the 2024 driving season to provide drivers access to E15, the more affordable fuel by 15-16 cents a gallon.Uninterrupted access to E15 year-round is vital for consumers and farmers alike.” 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement Thursday afternoon.

“EPA’s final rule authorizing year-round E15 sales in eight states will eventually help consumers save money at the pump, but this result would not have happened without the strong leadership and action of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and her fellow Midwestern governors. While we appreciate this decision, EPA’s final rule is long overdue, it does not apply until 2025, and it took a lawsuit led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird to help force the action. EPA must now use its authority to issue an emergency E15 waiver for the summer of 2024 or Iowa drivers will needlessly experience higher fuel costs and fewer fuel choices beginning on June 1.”

Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued the following statement after the EPA posted its final rule.

“After continuous delays by the EPA to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel, consumers across the country can finally look forward to lower-cost, cleaner-burning year-round E15 in 2025. Nearly two years ago, I organized a bipartisan coalition of eight Midwest governors to join me in challenging the EPA’s refusal to allow E15 sales during summer months. Finally, our request is approved, however, the EPA’s unjustified delays come at a cost for drivers and the environment.  

“As governor of the nation’s top ethanol producing state, I’m pursuing a waiver to continue offering drivers the option to purchase lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15 in Iowa this summer, and I won’t stop fighting for year-round E15 until it’s available nationwide. The solution to making America energy independent is growing in the Heartland.”