Wisconsin approves year-round E15 gasoline sales

The US government recently passed a new funding bill that contains an important provision allowing year-round sales of E15 gasoline, which is a higher ethanol blend. This decision is a big win for the ethanol industry and corn producers who have been pushing for increased ethanol demand.

In the past, E15 sales were limited during summer months due to concerns about smog formation in hot weather. However, recent research has shown that there is little difference in emissions between E15 and the more commonly used E10 blend. This change ensures a steady market for ethanol producers throughout the year.

The bill also includes compliance credits for small refiners who had applied for exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for compliance years 2016-2018 but were either denied or still waiting for a decision. The RFS requires blending biofuels into the nation’s fuel supply or purchasing credits from compliant refiners.

Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, a major corn-producing state, played a key role in advancing this legislation. Fischer expressed her satisfaction with the bill, stating, “My bill puts an end to years of patchwork regulations and uncertainty – year-round, nationwide E15 will now be a reality.”

The Renewable Fuels Association has also expressed approval of the bill. Geoff Cooper, the group’s president, mentioned, “We are very pleased to see that the long-awaited fix allowing year-round E15 is included in this package.”

Moreover, the bill mandates the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to review renewable fuel credits and propose measures to prevent market manipulation.

This provision overturns a previous decision that would have limited E15 sales to Midwestern states by 2025, a move criticized for its potential to disrupt fuel prices and supply.

With the passage of this bill, the US is reinforcing its commitment to renewable fuels, supporting farmers and the biofuel industry, and addressing concerns related to market stability.