Republicans Form Task Force as E15 Legislation Stalls

Republican lawmakers have announced the creation of a task force to study the potential for year-round E15 gasoline sales after legislation to enable this failed to pass in a recent funding bill. This decision, which delays potential demand increases for corn-based ethanol, extends uncertainty for farm and ethanol industry stakeholders who were anticipating legislative action.

The proposed task force, named the E-15 Rural Domestic Energy Council, is set to investigate year-round E15 sales, U.S. refining capacity, biofuel blending credits, and related issues. The task force aims to provide recommendations for legislation by mid-February. Currently, E15 sales are restricted during summer months due to air quality regulations, despite E15 having a higher ethanol content than the more commonly used E10.