Farmers are calling for higher ethanol blends in today’s fuel

An ethanol group out of Nebraska says year-round sales of E15 could turn numbers around. They are calling on the Administration to change the Clean Air Act, saying it is long overdue.

“By not allowing that 20–30 years ago in the thinking, we ended up in the situation where we are now. Of course, with the petroleum competitor, who does not want to lose that five percent market share, and they want to fight tooth and nail for that, which I understand. If I were a CEO of Exxon, I’d feel the same way. But I’m not CEO of Exxon. I’m a corn farmer from Nebraska, and my concern lies with my friends and my neighbors, and how we can keep more young farmers in business,” said Janten Bensel with the Nebraska Ethanol Board.

Regular unleaded gas, like most cars use today, is an E10 blend. The group argues that if that went up to 12, it could help consume an extra billion bushels of grain each year. Other renewable fuel groups are calling on Congress to write into law year-round sales of E15. It is an issue they could tackle when returning to Washington next month.

Related Stories
Export funding aims to strengthen global demand for U.S. commodities.
Strong ethanol exports support long-term growth in corn demand.
Strong ethanol output supports corn demand despite export weakness.
Weak soybean sales and soft wheat demand contrast with solid corn export strength.
Rising corn and soybean prices may lower expected payments for producers
Trade disputes can quickly reduce demand for key crops.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The U.S. government will give pharmaceutical company Moderna $176 million for a High-Path Avian Flu vaccine, Reuters reports.
RFD-TV Agricultural Law & Taxation expert Roger McEowen discusses the Supreme Court’s recent repeal of the Chevron agreement and other current topics in ag law.