(Radio Iowa) – A vote may be held tomorrow (Wednesday) in the U.S. House that would override E-P-A rules and allow E-15 to be sold at all U-S gas stations year-round. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says the move would be a financial boost for farmers who raise corn.
“That could grind another 2-2.5 billion bushels of corn. That could put corn back in the profitable range,” Shaw said. “Farmers don’t want emergency payments. They want markets and this is the one that is right there in front of us.” According to the E-P-A, motorists can buy E-15 at over three-thousand gas stations in 31 states. The agency says E-15 offers better profit margins for retailers and Shaw says consumers save because E-15 is cheaper.
“When gas prices are $4 in Iowa — not California, but Iowa, it’s time to do something,” Shaw said, “so I think there’s this feeling that enough of this stuff, we’re going to move this forward.” The E-P-A approved the use of E-15 15 years ago in vehicles made after July 1st of 2001, but federal regulations prohibited its sale during summer months due to smog concerns.
The agency has waived that limit for the fifth consecutive summer. A federal policy for year-round E-15 sales was included in a House budget bill in January and in the Farm Bill last month — but removed from both at the last minute.
“We think once we get a floor vote, will we lose a handful of Republicans that represent these foreign refiners that don’t like the package that’s been put together? Yeah, we’re going to lose those, but we’re going to get a lot of support from Democrats,” Shaw said. “It will be, in our opinion, a strong bipartisan vote.” Shaw’s association represents Iowa’s 42 ethanol plants.
He made his comments during a recent appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.
