E15 for All, a Win-Win for Farmers and Consumers

Making E15 available across the country year-round would deliver real benefits for farmers, consumers and the country. America’s farmers are always looking for how we can do better for our families, our rural communities and our nation. We are committed to growing nutritious food for families across the country, and we are proud to help deliver products that make Americans’ daily lives more affordable and sustainable. Biofuels, like E15, are boosting farm businesses, improving the environment, and reducing costs at the pump.

E15 Can Help Refuel the Farm Economy

Farmers are facing the toughest farm economy in a generation, with historically low row crop prices and record-high and ever-increasing production expenses. Some farm families are uncertain whether they can hang on for another season. Since 2017, we have lost more than 160,000 farms, and that number will only rise if relief doesn’t come soon. Farm Bureau has been calling on Congress and the administration to deliver short- and long-term solutions to ensure our farms and rural communities not only survive but thrive.

The challenges facing our farms are as diverse as the crops we grow. There’s not one quick solution for all of the farm economy, but there are plenty of clear steps that lawmakers can take to help, from addressing the labor crisis to finally passing a new, modernized farm bill. Earlier this fall, Farm Bureau sent a letter to Congress and the President outlining several policy solutions to help farm country. A top priority on that list: making E15 available year-round. Just last week, I had the opportunity to meet with senior White House officials to discuss this issue.

Today, about 33% of total U.S. corn production goes to ethanol, and authorizing permanent ethanol-blended fuels all year could increase demand for corn by up to 2.4 billion bushels a year. But as it stands now, federal law restricts the year-round sale of E15 in many parts of the country because of an outdated regulation from almost 50 years ago. If E15 were available year-round, drivers could see significant savings—an estimated 10 to 30 cents per gallon. That’s cutting costs up to 18% at the pump, and that can make a real difference for tight budgets for families across the country.

E15 Boosts Savings and Sustainability

Beyond the clear savings at the pump for drivers, E15 is critical to our energy independence as a nation. Conflicts across the globe are a clear reminder of how important it is for our nation to fuel and feed itself. Farmers, and the American-grown products we deliver, are essential to our national security.

Overall, biofuels also play an impressive role in sustainability in this country, along with the regenerative practices farmers use to grow them. Roughly 3 trillion pounds of corn have been used to produce clean, renewable fuel in the last decade. Behind those trillions of pounds of corn are farmers dedicated to reducing emissions and improving soil health. And their efforts are making a difference beyond the farm too. A simple change to nationwide E15 would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 17.62 million tons per year. That’s equal to taking nearly 4 million cars off the road. To help picture that impact: that’s roughly the same as taking half of the cars in Los Angeles County off the road for a year. While farmers can’t do anything to reduce rush hour traffic, we can make a difference for sustainability and family savings if lawmakers increase access to American-grown biofuels, like E15.

With high prices putting a squeeze on America’s families, including farm families, E15 can deliver a win for us all. Farmers are ready and eager to deliver more affordable, American-grown fuels. Let’s join together in calling on Congress to give drivers a choice at the pump that brings savings for their families and expanded markets for farmers.