California, The Ethanol State?

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Consider this: In 2022, more than 103 million gallons of E85 was purchased in California for use in flex-fuel vehicles. Importantly, the E85 sales figure for 2022 represents a 66 percent increase from the previous year, when just 62.5 million gallons were sold. The higher blend is now available at more than 340 locations across the state, where more than 1.2 million FFVs are registered and on the road today. Overall, California drivers purchased over 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol, where the state enjoys an ethanol blend rate of 10.7 percent—well over the so-called “blend wall.”

California’s low carbon fuel standard has been a driving force in the increased use of ethanol, helping pave the way for the corn-based renewable fuel to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 36 million metric tons between 2011 and the second quarter of 2023.

And yet, there’s one glaring omission in California’s toolbox, and that’s E15. The Golden State is woefully—and inexplicably—behind the rest of the nation when it comes to allowing the use of E15 in its marketplace, a product that has been scientifically proven to reduce both harmful tailpipe pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from its liquid-fueled light-duty vehicles.

While the California Air Resources Board has taken some initial steps toward approving the use of E15, the process has been impaired by numerous delays, uncertain timelines, and a general lack of emphasis or prioritization from its leadership. It is important to note that all the required testing and analysis needed to approve the use of E15 has been completed and submitted to CARB, but the agency has yet to give final approval to this emissions-reducing fuel in the state.

Imagine if all E10 fuel sold in California in 2022 had been E15. Had this scenario been reality, the state would have seen a 450-million-gallon reduction in petroleum consumption and additional GHG savings of 2.2 million metric tons, based on CARB’s own data. Simply put, by failing to approve E15 for use in California, CARB is consciously choosing to leave a significant air quality tool (and the resulting climate benefits) on the sideline.

CARB’s intransigence on E15 is having an unintended impact elsewhere, such as in efforts to replicate California climate policies—specifically its low carbon fuel standard—in other jurisdictions beyond the West Coast. More and more states that have considered following California’s example on clean fuels policy are ultimately choosing a different approach due in large part to CARB’s befuddling prohibition on E15.

At the National Ethanol Conference, we want to take a moment to highlight ethanol’s importance to our host state in a big, public way. On the day our meeting begins, we’re going to celebrate California’s ethanol connection with a special pump promotion, courtesy of our friends at Pearson Fuels, one of the top E85 retailers in the state. Powered by this partnership, we’re going to offer free E85 to veterans and active-duty military, and the fuel will be available to others for $1.85 per gallon—as a way to show our appreciation to those who serve this country and to exhibit the incredible benefits offered by flex fuels. We hope to see you there. READ MORE

Excerpt from Office of Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE)/Sacramento Bee: But while California’s government is busy dreaming up regulations for unachievable environmental goals, it’s ignoring more sober, practical reforms that would immediately benefit Californians and the environment.

Montana recently became the 49th state to approve the sale of gasoline blends with 15% ethanol, also known as E15, in response to updated federal fuel regulations. Just yesterday, the Biden administration announced it was set to approve E15 gasoline expansion in 2025.

E15 is cheaper and cleaner than other blends of gasoline — but California still hasn’t approved its use.

Emissions testing conducted at the University of California at Riverside, supported by the California Air Resources Board, found that replacing 10% ethanol (E10) with E15 results in significant air quality benefits — including statistically significant reductions in the emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbon gases and other pollutants.

Some activists who oppose E15 believe ethanol production would require land that otherwise would be used for food production. In reality, the production of corn ethanol creates a co-product, distillers grains, used to feed livestock. Ultimately, ethanol production gets more out of the corn kernel without creating waste — it’s economical and sustainable.

Based on research by CARB and UC Riverside, if all gasoline in California had been E15 in 2022, there would have been a 450-million-gallon reduction in petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas savings of 2.2 billion metric tons. Despite its own findings, CARB is ignoring the environmental advantages E15 could offer the vehicle fleet. Instead, the board is forcing electric vehicles on American families — a strategy that ignores both the painfully high cost of EVs and the immediate payoff of prioritizing E15.

California not only needs to approve the sale of E15, but it’s also important to make it accessible year-round. Right now, uneven regulations across the country complicate access to cheaper and cleaner fuel. Last year, I reintroduced the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Choice Act, which would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15.

My bill is the opposite of a mandate — it puts consumers in the driver’s seat by providing E15 as an option. The affordability of E15 will incentivize its use, naturally encouraging positive environmental outcomes. READ MORE