Make the cost-saving benefits of E15 available to all Americans

Congress has an opportunity right now to increase prices for farmers and help families save money. With affordability top of mind for many Americans, it’s time to make the cost-saving benefits of year-round E15 available nationwide. Consumers could expect to save at least 15 cents per gallon compared to traditional gasoline if nationwide E15 was available year-round.

This can be done, and Iowa has shown the way. In 2022, Iowa lawmakers put our state on track to be the first in the nation to guarantee access to lower-cost E15 at most fueling stations. That law took full effect this year, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been working closely with local retailers to make E15 available at more than 1,100 stations across the state.

The results speak for themselves. E15 sales in Iowa grew 44% from 2023 to 2024, with drivers purchasing 256.7 million gallons last year alone. Because E15 costs about 15 cents less per gallon than E10 on average, Iowa drivers have saved more than $65 million over the past two years. When E15 is available, drivers buy it.

By keeping American energy in the marketplace and strengthening demand for Iowa-grown corn, we’re supporting rural communities. This has a significant economic impact on Iowa, which leads the nation in ethanol production. Our state is home to 42 plants that produce billions of gallons of ethanol each year, support tens of thousands of Iowa jobs and drive demand for 1.5 billion bushels of corn.

A coalition of more than 70 biofuel groups and agricultural organizations recently wrote to Congress, “With a record corn crop filling bins across America, farmers cannot afford another season of uncertainty and negative margins.” The National Corn Growers Association estimates that year-round nationwide E15 could consume an additional 2.4 billion bushels of corn. At a time of real stress in the ag economy, this would help our farmers significantly.

Unfortunately, because of outdated federal regulations and an unpredictable waiver process, E15 remains unavailable to drivers in many states. For years, rural communities have been asking Washington to provide a stable, common sense policy environment that lets businesses plan, invest and grow with confidence.

Congress must establish a permanent, year-round framework for E15 sales across the United States. This bipartisan proposal would not require new federal spending. It simply updates federal regulations to reflect today's realities. Liquid fuels groups representing ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel marketers, and convenience stores support this nationwide fix.

President Donald Trump voiced strong support for year-round E15 during his recent visit to Iowa, pledging to sign a bill when it reaches his desk.

The only missing piece is congressional action. Iowa’s delegation in Washington has led the charge to make this a reality. Now we need House and Senate leaders to advance this common sense plan.

Congress must seize this opportunity to make E15 permanently available nationwide, and they need to do it now. America’s farmers and drivers cannot afford further delays.

Republican Mike Naig is Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture.