Year-round E15 legislation passes in the U.S. House 

By Emily McNiff 

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 218 to 203 on Wednesday, May 13, to pass H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The legislation removes restrictions on the summer sales of E15 – a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline – and is a major victory for Indiana corn farmers that have advocated for year-round E15 on Capitol Hill in recent weeks. 

Leading up to the vote, 12 farmer leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with House lawmakers from across the country, including legislators from California, Maryland, Kentucky and Florida. During these meetings, they highlighted the benefits of higher ethanol blends as well as the positive impact expanded E15 access would have on American corn farmers, rural communities and consumers. 

In Indiana alone, nearly 43 percent of Indiana’s corn crop is used for ethanol production. Expanding access to E15 could create demand for more than 200 million more bushels of Indiana corn, strengthening markets and supporting farm profitability. 

This shift would also provide environmental and economic benefits to Hoosiers, including fuel savings of up to 30 cents per gallon and a reduction of 455,000 metric tons in lifecycle emissions – the equivalent of taking more than 99,000 vehicles off Indiana roads each year. 

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Indiana Corn Growers Association farmer directors, members and staff will continue urging Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young to act quickly to provide long-term certainty for year-round E15 sales and support the profitability and sustainability of Indiana farm families for generations to come.