Kansas Corn Praises President Trump’s Year-Round E15 Announcement

Oct. 9, 2018–Kansas Corn praised President Donald Trump’s  announcement of an action to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel today. The President’s announcement begins the process at the Environmental Protection Agency to lift outdated restrictions on the renewable fuel. Kansas Corn Growers Association leaders look forward to seeing regulatory action move swiftly to allow E15 sales in the 2019 summer driving season. Allowing summer sales of E15 will benefit corn and ethanol producers and provide consumer choice at the pump.

“President Trump’s announcement concerning RVP relief for E15 fuel is a positive for Kansas corn farmers,” Kansas Corn CEO Greg Krissek said. “This is a step forward for ethanol and for corn farmers. And truly, this is a positive step for consumers who will be able to buy a lower price, higher quality, cleaner fuel for their cars year-round.”

E15, a fuel blend with 15% ethanol, is approved for use in all vehicles 2001 and newer-90 percent of the vehicles on the road today. However, outdated regulations require retailers in many areas of the country to stop selling E15 during the summer months. Updating this regulation will give consumers year-round access to a fuel choice that is lower priced, has a higher octane and a higher percentage of clean ethanol.

Kansas Corn works with ethanol and agriculture groups and the Kansas Department of Agriculture to increase the availability of E15 in Kansas, but those efforts have been undermined by the inability to sell the fuel year-round. Twenty fuel retailers across the state now offer E15 fuel. Thanks to President Trump’s efforts, E15 will be a viable option for fuel retailers wanting to expand consumer choice at their stations.

“We have a great product that is produced here in our state, is a cleaner, safer fuel additive, boosts octane,and lowers fuel prices,” Krissek said. “Federal regulations were holding us back, and President Trump has held true to his promise to help us get more access to markets for our corn-based fuel.”

Krissek pointed to the support of the Kansas Congressional delegation members who have advocated with the administration for ethanol.

Kansas Corn, along with the National Corn Growers Association, will take an active role in the regulatory process, urging EPA move forward with making the President’s commitment a reality by summer 2019.

Kansas Corn Growers Association represents its members in legislative and regulatory issues and promotes corn and corn products.

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