E15 Fuel Gains Traction in Nebraska

By Scout Nelson

E15, a fuel blend made with 15% ethanol, is quickly gaining popularity in Nebraska due to its affordability, often costing 10 to 20 cents less per gallon than traditional gasoline. It's available in over 150 retail stations across the state, and new laws now require that all new fuel stations offer it at half of their pumps.

Nebraska's lawmakers see this move as an important step in supporting the state's agricultural economy, especially the ethanol industry, which has an $8.2 billion impact. Despite its benefits, E15 is not available year-round. Federal regulations limit its sale during summer due to environmental concerns about its vapor pressure. However, emergency waivers have allowed summer sales, and advocates are pushing for a permanent solution.

Ethanol is a renewable energy source primarily made from corn, and Nebraska, one of the nation's top ethanol producers, benefits significantly from its growth. The state's ethanol plants, such as Nebraska Corn Processing, support local farmers and create jobs while producing both fuel and animal feed. These efforts contribute to the "Golden Triangle" of Nebraska's economy: corn, ethanol, and cattle.

Environmental groups, however, raise concerns over ethanol's ecological impact, citing land use for corn production and the loss of wildlife habitats due to increased farming. Advocates recommend exploring alternative biofuels and technologies to reduce these environmental costs.

“Back then, E15 wasn't even part of the conversation,” said Ben Rhodes, the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s executive director. “So that same waiver - it's a technical volatility thing has to do with evaporative emissions - was not extended to E15 or other ethanol blends. So because of this almost archaic language, now 35 years later, we're stuck trying to still fight to get E15 sold in the summer months.”

E15 may be an affordable solution for Nebraskans, but achieving its full potential requires overcoming both legislative hurdles and environmental challenges.

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