Congress weighs year-round E15 gas sales amid debate over costs and environmental impact
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Consumers could soon see a different option at the gas pump as Congress considers legislation that would allow E15 gasoline a fuel blend made partly from corn to be sold year-round without special waivers.
Supporters say the measure could lower fuel costs and provide an economic boost for farmers, while environmental advocates warn it could create health and water quality concerns.
Gas prices have continued to strain consumers’ budgets, leading some lawmakers and agricultural groups to support expanded access to E15, also known as E88 gasoline.
“We’ve seen that E15 is about, you know, between 5 and 30 cents, depending on where you are in the country, less expensive than your traditional E10 87-octane,” said Jason Mugnaini, executive director of government relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau, along with several other chapters across the country, signed a letter supporting year-round E15 sales. The letter cited a study from the National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association stating that consistent access to E15 year-round would provide an additional $25.8 billion to U.S. gross domestic product, boost incomes by $10.3 billion and support 128,000 additional full-time jobs.
Because the measure is expected to reduce gas prices, Wisconsin congressional members widely supported the legislation. Democrats and Republicans both voted in favor of the bill, while only Republican Rep. Scott Fitzgerald voted against it.
“So, we decoupled it from the farm bill intentionally because some members of my conference don’t like E15,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican representing Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, said. “Well guess what, if you say you are all of the above for energy, ethanol is an energy source that is domestically produced, so you are either all of the above or you’re not.”
Environmental groups, however, say the increased use of ethanol could come with consequences.
Clean Wisconsin warned that year-round ethanol production could pose health risks, especially in urban areas where people with underlying health conditions may be affected.
“Anyone who has high respiratory illness-related issues are going to be impacted by that increase in localized ozone,” said Sara Walling, water and agriculture program director at Clean Wisconsin.
Clean Wisconsin also said nitrogen fertilizer used to grow corn presents environmental concerns. According to the group, only 40% to 50% of the nitrogen applied is absorbed by the crop, while the remainder stays in the soil and can seep into drinking water supplies.
“We are experiencing really high nitrate levels in our groundwater system, and so it’s causing a lot of costs to rural communities who have to clean up that water before they can distribute it,” Walling said.
Farmers and agricultural advocates argue that expanded ethanol production would allow producers to invest in better conservation practices and infrastructure improvements.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau said deregulation would help farmers complete projects faster and create better systems to keep runoff out of water sources.
“That ethanol is saving you money at the tank, and the farmer that is growing it is doing things on its farm to make sure that doesn’t have an impact downstream,” Mugnaini said.
The bill has passed the U.S. House and is now awaiting a vote in the Senate.