Government : Expanding E15 Access Is a Win-Win for Iowa

By Lance Lillibridge Iowa Corn Growers Associations President The recently signed Iowa Biofuels Access bill expands access to E15, a clean-burning, homegrown, more affordable fuel choice. The bill is expected to increase the number of fuel stations carrying E15 by nearly 1,000 by the year 2026, from the roughly 300 stations currently offering the higher blend. This expansion is important to Iowa because it will boost ethanol demand by around 60 million gallons each year, increasing annual corn demand by 21 million bushels. That's great news for Iowa and Iowa's corn farmers. The bill is expected to create 4,000 new jobs and add nearly $100 million to Iowa's GDP, providing yet another example of how corn grows Iowa. E15 is approved and safe for vehicles 2001 and newer, which represents 96% of the nation's fleet. With inflation at a 40-year high, we're all interested in savings at the pump. E15 saves drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon, and those savings are often even greater, showcasing how the productivity and efficiency of the American farmer is helping to lower fuel prices. Biofuels like E15 also displace petroleum, reducing cancer-causing chemical emissions. Corn-based ethanol products burn cleaner, which is good for the environment and lung health. The Iowa Biofuels Access bill makes E15 an option for more drivers by expanding cost-share grants and increasing retailer tax credits to help existing stations make the updates needed to offer E15. No one wants to see small businesses and retailers close. Therefore, the smallest retailers and those with outdated underground storage tanks or incompatible equipment requiring costly upgrades will receive exemptions. The bill will not restrict the sale of any fuel type. As the No. 1 corn and ethanol producing state, we are proud that Iowa is leading by example and demonstrating how E15 can become the new normal at the pump. We hope our E15 success story motivates high fuel-volume areas like California and the East Coast to follow suit, expanding the market for this ready, homegrown solution that reduces emissions and saves money at the pump.