Ohio Corn Producers Push for Nationwide Expansion of E15 Fuel Access

TOLEDO, Ohio — A coalition of Ohio corn producers is advocating for Congress to authorize year-round, nationwide access to E15 fuel, a move that could benefit the state’s farmers, motorists, and energy sector.

E15, often marketed as Unleaded 88 at gas stations, is a blend of gasoline containing 15% ethanol, a renewable fuel primarily derived from corn. It is typically cheaper than traditional gasoline and is approved for use in most light-duty vehicles manufactured in 2001 or newer. Despite its growing popularity, E15 is not available year-round across the United States due to federal regulations, leaving Ohio as one of the few states where it can be sold year-round.

Ohio is home to seven ethanol plants that collectively produce nearly 600 million gallons of ethanol annually, with facilities located in cities like Fostoria, Leipsic, and Lima. Although the state has the ability to sell E15 year-round, the nationwide sale of E15 is still restricted under current federal policies. Advocates for ethanol, including Ohio’s corn producers, are calling for legislation that would remove these restrictions and allow for the expanded use of E15 across the country.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, along with 15 other state attorneys general, has recently urged Congress to pass legislation that would make E15 available nationwide year-round. Yost argues that this move would benefit the state’s economy, create jobs, and contribute to national energy independence.

“This proposal is a win for Ohio’s motorists, farmers, and energy providers alike,” Yost said. “It’s good for our state’s economy, and it’s a key step toward energy independence for our country.”

The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) has been actively lobbying Congress to make this change. Tadd Nicholson, the association’s executive director, explained that expanding E15 availability would help address a significant surplus of corn in Ohio. The state currently has a carryover of about 1.5 billion bushels of corn, which is not being utilized, according to Nicholson. He believes increasing demand for ethanol through greater access to E15 could help absorb this surplus.

“We have a lot of corn that just doesn’t have a home,” Nicholson said. “Increasing the availability of E15 year-round would be a critical step in addressing that issue.”

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has also thrown its support behind the push for nationwide E15 access. In a letter to congressional leaders, the NCGA emphasized that standardizing year-round E15 sales could result in an increase in corn demand by approximately 2.3 billion bushels annually. With about one-third of the corn produced in the U.S. used for ethanol production, such an increase in demand would significantly boost profitability for farmers and benefit rural communities nationwide.

“Standardizing year-round E15 will result in an impressive improvement in profitability for operations across the nation,” the letter stated. “Rural communities will reap the benefits.”

Proponents argue that the legislation needed to expand E15 availability is a regulatory fix, meaning it could be passed without requiring taxpayer funding. The push for year-round access to E15 comes at a time when ethanol is gaining more attention as a renewable energy source and a way to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels.

As the debate continues, Ohio’s corn producers remain hopeful that Congress will act, helping to boost demand for corn while providing consumers with an affordable, renewable fuel alternative.