By Lindsay Croke
In the past week, the IL Corn Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, and your farmer leaders have engaged in an overwhelming amount of E15 negotiations, conversations, and education. Where does our work put Illinois corn farmers today? Here’s a check in!
Timeline:
1990: Congress grants a waiver for E10 to encourage the use of ethanol-blended fuels.
2011: U.S. EPA approves E15 (a fuel with 15% ethanol and 85% petroleum fuel) for use.
2014: The City of Chicago passes a measure allowing the use of E15 year-round due to their considerable air quality issues.
2018: President Trump directed the EPA to initiate rulemaking to allow for year-round E15 sales.
2019: The EPA finalized the rulemaking to allow year-round E15 sales as directed by President Trump. The rule was challenged in a federal court by the oil industry.
2020: U.S. EPA issues a nationwide temporary, emergency waiver of the summertime gasoline requirements allowing for the sale of E15 year-round.
2021: A federal court overturned EPA's 2019 finalized E15 rule, stating that Congress would need to pass legislation on the subject.
2022-2025: U.S. EPA issues a series of annual nationwide emergency waivers allowing E15 to be sold year-round.
December 2024: E15 is included in a funding package until stripped at the last minute.
February 2025: The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 is introduced into the 119th Congress. This bill becomes the foundation for year-round E15 language.
March 2025: NCGA and state corn farmer leaders hold a press conference on E15 on the grounds of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
December 2025: Ethanol, agriculture, and petroleum industries reach an agreement about year-round E15 language, as requested by the administration. This language is a modification of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act introduced in February 2025.
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