Poll: 7 in 10 Iowans Want to Benefit from E15 Ethanol Savings

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Iowa, consumers showed their enthusiasm toward E15 in a recent poll conducted by the Tarrance Group, where respondents overwhelmingly supported the use of E15. When participants were asked if they would consider using E15 if they owned a 2001 and newer vehicle and it was cheaper than E10, an overwhelming 70 percent said yes. Additionally, 76 percent of respondents saying they’d purchase E15 also said they would drive out of their way to buy E15 to save between 5 and 10 cents per gallon, if their usual station did not offer E15.

“The poll results shows what we expected: an overwhelming majority of Iowans want to take advantage of lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15,” Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Managing Director Lucy Norton said. “Typically, E15 is being sold in Iowa 5 to 10 cents cheaper than E10, and with more than three-quarters of Iowa E15 supporters willing to drive out of their way to save with E15, Iowa’s fuel retailers should take notice.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently led a coalition of ethanol supporters in the passage of legislation this year to expand eligibility for the highly successful Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), allowing retailers to now receive financial assistance to install or upgrade fuel dispensing equipment to offer cleaner-burning, lower-cost E15. Since 2007, the Iowa RFIP has provided cost-share grants for the installation of blender pumps and E85 and biodiesel dispensing equipment, as well as bulk biodiesel terminal storage tanks. Qualifying projects are eligible for up to 70 percent of the installation costs, or a maximum of $50,000 per retail location. The IRFA works with retailers wishing to apply for RFIP grants, and ensures they comply with all federal and state E15 regulations.