MANHATTAN — Kansas Corn leaders are praising an EPA proposal to allow year-round sales of E15.
In a statement Tuesday, Kansas Corn Growers Association President Steve Rome called it good news for corn growers and the association’s ethanol friends. The proposed rule would remove what Rome calls outdated limitations on E15 fuel before the summer driving season begins. Previously E-15 was restricted under air pollution requirements between June 1 and Sept. 15 as science shows burning ethanol in warmer temperatures leads to heightened ground-level ozone pollution and smog.
The rule is seen as a benefit to the Kansas Corn Commission’s efforts to expand the availability of the fuel which is already approved for passenger vehicles in model year 2001 and newer. Commission Chairman Dennis McNinch says they’ve worked with many fuel retailers to add E15 and this rule would allow them to offer the fuel, which is often much lower priced than regular unleaded gasoline, year round. Currently the only gas retailer in the area offering E15 is a Short Stop location on Hwy 24 in east Manhattan.
President Trump on Tuesday advanced a plan that would expand the use of ethanol gasoline across the U.S. The plan makes it harder for refiners to trade credits for biofuel use known as renewable identification numbers. Currently, refiners and importers of natural gas must blend their fuels with ethanol before sale or purchase RINs sold on the market.
The EPA Tuesday says it will hold public comment on the rule during a public hearing March 29.
Kansas E15 retailers can be found at kscorn.com/eth.
