E15 Fuel Can Be an Important Tool to Tackle Climate Change
COMMENTARY
On Earth Day this April, many Americans reflected on what we can do to protect our planet. We are already seeing the effects of climate change, and we know this is not a problem for future generations to solve — it’s up to us. One fact remains clear: We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Earth’s concentration of greenhouse gas is the highest it’s been in the last 800,000 years. We must do anything possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our impact on the environment.
The world is investing in technologies like carbon capture, electric vehicles, and wind and solar energy. However, these technologies will remain underdeveloped and cost prohibitive for at least the next few years. We need another tool that is effective right now, and fortunately we have one in E15 gasoline. However, lawmakers must act so we can take full advantage of it.
E15 refers to a type of gasoline with 15% ethanol, an organic compound produced from certain crops like corn, blended into the fuel. We already commonly use E10 — with 10% ethanol — and E15 simply raises that number by 5%. The facts on E15 are clear: We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline by 40% with ethanol-blended fuels. Ethanol-blended fuels help lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of pure gasoline burned. Additionally, the crops that eventually produce ethanol capture carbon dioxide as they grow, providing an environmental benefit and helping offset the effect of emissions from vehicles.
Not only that, but E15 fuel is also cheaper. E15 is at least 25 cents per gallon cheaper than E10, and in some cases up to $1 cheaper per gallon, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. As inflation continues to eat away at working families’ incomes, our leaders should support cheaper options like E15 gasoline.
Unfortunately, many Americans cannot buy cheaper and more environmentally friendly E15 gasoline during the summer months. The primary obstacle in the way of year-round E15 sales is an outdated law that prohibits the sale of E15 in some parts of the country during the summer.
The Environmental Protection Agency can issue a waiver to allow the sale of E15 during the summer, but the agency’s decisions are unpredictable and make it harder for E15 to be sold widely.
Congress should act immediately, and members with strong environmental track records should lead the effort. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., for example, is in a position to push for E15 legislation as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Carper has a long history of fighting for our environment, and now it’s time for him to get behind E15 so we can further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
There is already bipartisan support in Congress for year-round E15 sales, and Carper’s support could add some critical momentum to the effort.
Most Americans want their elected leaders to take pragmatic, commonsense steps to protect our environment and fight climate change. Congress can do that by passing legislation making E15 available across the country all year long.
Bill DeMora is a Democratic Ohio state senator representing Columbus. DeMora previously served as executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party and as executive director of the Ohio League of Conservation Voters. He can be reached on X.
