AUDIO: Troy Bredenkamp, Renewable Fuels Association
AUDIO: Matt Zeigler, National Corn Growers Association
AUDIO: Brain Jennings, American Coalition for Ethanol
The U.S. EPA has issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver to allow sales of E15 throughout the summer months.
Troy Bredenkamp, the senior vice president of government and public affairs with the Renewable Fuels Association, says while the organization is appreciative of the move, it doesn’t replace the need for a permanent fix.
“This is just a band-aid and a temporary solution,” he says. “The corn market needs certainty.”
Matt Zeigler, director of public policy and renewable fuels with the National Corn Growers Association, says the conflict in the Middle East has put additional pressure on the energy market.
“It’s a relief value for folks right now with fuel costs up, but we want to make this law to really see the growth in E15 sales that we’re hoping for,” he says.
American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall says permanent sales of E15 fuel blends could increase demand for U.S. corn farmers by 2.4 billion bushels per year.
Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol, tells Brownfield this is the fifth year of emergency fuel waivers and states don’t need a patchwork of regulations.
“EPA only has the authority to issue these emergency waivers on a twenty-day rolling basis,” he says. “We expect that they will continue to re-issue those during the summer 2026 driving season.”
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, says Congress must act soon to ensure long-term energy security.
The EPA action also permanently removed all barriers on E10 across the country.
Sales of nationwide E15 will initially begin on May 1st and will remain in effect until May 20th.
