DOE: Twenty-five States Crack E10 Blend Wall

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Though the national average percentage of ethanol in gasoline came in at 9.91% in 2015, according to the Energy Information Administration, half of all states now see ethanol in more than 10% of gasoline by volume.

In a news release Tuesday the Renewable Fuels Association said the data suggests any legislation to change the law to limit ethanol to 9.7% may be unnecessary. Reps. Bill Flores, R-Texas, and Peter Welch, D-Vt., have offered legislation to limit ethanol content in the nation's gasoline supply to 9.7%.

"The data show that ethanol comprised 12.5% of the gasoline pool in Minnesota in 2015," the RFA said in a news release.

"Not coincidentally, ethanol flex fuels like E85 are available at roughly one out of every eight stations in the Gopher state. In Iowa, gasoline contained an average of 11.5% ethanol in 2015, up from 10.3% in 2014 and just 9.5% in 2013."

Ethanol volumes also eclipsed 10% in California, Oregon, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Louisiana. "For the first time ever, not a single state had average ethanol content below 9% in 2015, the data show," RFA said. "Vermont ranked last in average ethanol concentration at 9.18%." READ MORE and MORE (Renewable Fuels Association) and MORE (Energy.AgWired.com)