Ethanol backers strive for Midwest solution to year-round E15
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Supreme Court has rejected an ethanol case and now supporters of Nebraska biofuels say they plan to seek a Midwest solution.
Most cars on the road can run on a blend up to 15 percent ethanol, known as E15.
In 2018, President Donald Trump visited the heartland to announce it would be available year-round.
Lawsuits quickly followed as the oil industry challenged the government process and an appeals court ruled against year-round E15.
Ethanol backers say the next step is to have Midwest states band together to expand access regionally.
“When the leadership from the core states where ethanol is made carry the flag if you will to make sure we can market as much ethanol as possible to consumer that want to use a cleaner burning fuel all year long,” said Dawn Caldwell, executive director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska.
The legislature could help that along with a proposal to create tax credits for fuel retailers that offer higher ethanol blends.
“There is a cap on it, so it's not an endless pot of money but it would be really good for farmers and the ethanol industry and the retail industry,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell said she's disappointed the supreme court would not take up the case over E15.
“It’s really frustrating. Many people demonstrated by using it year round here were no issues and the science is absolutely there,” she said.
She said consistency is also important, and limiting options “throws a kink in that process.”
Caldwell said that's why it's important that farm states like Nebraska take the lead and she said this administration needs to promote ethanol as part of its strategy on climate.
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