Gasoline with higher blends of ethanol to be sold in 8 Midwestern states year-round

• The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a final rule that will allow drivers in eight Midwestern states to use highly blended ethanol year-round.
• The fuel additive consumes about 40% of the country’s corn crop, and more ethanol sales could mean more profits for farmers.
• The rule goes into effect in April 2025 and applies to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Drivers in eight Midwestern states will be able to refuel with high-blend ethanol year-round, under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The biofuel industry and agricultural groups, with support from Midwest governors, called for an end to the long-standing ban on summer sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. High-concentration blends are prohibited due to concerns that they may worsen smog during warm weather.

This move reflects the importance of ethanol in agriculture. This fuel additive consumes about 40% of the U.S. corn crop, so increased ethanol sales could mean increased profits for corn farmers.

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The rule goes into effect in April 2025 and applies to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. These states grow most of the United States’ corn and are responsible for most of the nation’s ethanol production.

The EPA said it has delayed implementation of the new rule over concerns it won’t have enough supply to meet demand this summer. Ethanol producers welcomed the change but criticized the EPA for the delay.

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“While we are pleased that EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed in EPA’s unnecessary decision to delay implementation until 2025,” the Renewable Fuels Association, an industry group, said in a statement. I’m disappointed.” “It helps that we now have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what about this summer?”

Most gasoline sold in the United States is blended with 10% ethanol, but 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Midwest. E15 summer sales are still not allowed in most parts of the country during the summer, although agricultural groups are calling for a national policy change.

The biofuel industry and politicians of both parties have argued that ethanol is a product that burns cleaner than straight gasoline, helping farmers, lowering pump prices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But environmentalists and others argue that increased ethanol production could increase carbon emissions because it would increase corn production, increase fertilizer use, and release more nitrates. claims. Synthetic and natural fertilizers are also major sources of water pollution.

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The EPA has approved the sale of E15 to cars and trucks manufactured after 2000. Growth Energy, another bioenergy industry group, estimates that using more blends with less than 10% ethanol could cost consumers 15 cents per gallon.

Oil refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying special blending in one region could increase costs and tighten fuel supplies.

The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, said a national standard is needed.

“We are concerned that this phased approach could weaken the resilience of the region’s fuel supply chain,” Will Hupman, the group’s vice president, said in a statement. “We continue to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan National Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would enable year-round sales of E15 nationwide and maintain access to E10. and brings much-needed consistency to the market by eliminating the need for regional sales,” or state-specific exemption petitions. ”