South Dakota Corn Growers Welcome E15

The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision today to approve the use of 15-percent ethanol blend fuel in cars and light-duty trucks manufactured in the past decade is an important step, the president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) says.
“We’ve been waiting for the decision and are very pleased that the EPA concluded that E15 is safe and reliable for use in all of those vehicles,” President Gary Duffy said. “We wish the EPA would have included these model years in the first place and not issued two separate decisions months apart. We knew E15 was a safe alternative for all vehicles. We are simply looking for access to the market place.”
This is just one step toward increasing ethanol use and reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, Duffy said. And as gas prices continue to rise, more ethanol-blended fuel should help keep fuel prices more affordable.
The EPA approved use of E15 last October in vehicles manufactured since 2007, but postponed its decision on older cars. The latest decision added 2001-2006 vehicles.
The SDCGA is hopeful that labeling of E15 pumps will be clear so producers understand the benefits of ethanol.