The ethanol industry made some strong contributions to the U.S. economy last year.
According to the Renewable Fuels Association, record-setting ethanol production helped offset the impact of low commodity prices. The industry directly supported 56,000 jobs and an additional 258,000 indirect jobs across all sectors of the economy.
President and CEO, Geoff Cooper shared a statement saying:
“Our nation’s ethanol producers worked overtime in 2024 to set a new production record and ensure American families could enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, low-cost, domestically produced fuel option... They are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead this year, with a renewed focus on American energy security and bolstering the farm sector.”
That renewed interest is already fueling action on Capital Hill where lawmakers are advocating for the year-round sale of E-15.
Congressman Randy Feenstra says that the current budget talks are as good an opportunity as any.
“Right now, just like it was in December, we had attached to the Continuing Resolution on the budget, and in December we kicked that can down the road till March 15. So, we got another opportunity March 15th to hook that on to the Continuing Resolution at that time or to the full budget, if we pass that. Depends on where we’re going to go, but that’s the vehicle right now that we’re looking for. Otherwise, we’ll be looking for other vehicles, but right now that is the focus in the Senate and the House to put it on that vehicle,” Feenstra explains.
He says that if year-round E-15 is not passed in the Continuing Resolution, they do have another plan.
“We don’t want backups, but we have to have backups. So obviously, talking with the administration along with Lee Zeldin of the head of the EPA on what this looks like to get the extension over the summer to have year-round E-15 and, you know, the great thing is that we’re trying to get Lee Zeldin down to Iowa to show him some ethanol plants and show him how valuable and important this is to our country,” he adds. “Again, telling our story not only to the administration but to all the agency heads that affect whether it be E-15 or 45Z or 45Q or whatever it might be. That’s what we’re doing right now.”
Last summer marked the third year in a row of the EPA approving the summer sale of E-15 nationwide. Those sales are typically prohibited between June and mid-September because of smog concerns.
