California Is the Only State That Hasn’t Embraced This Climate-Friendly Alternative Fuel

By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
The Sacramento Bee

Just over a year ago, California unveiled an aggressive new climate strategy. The plan sets ambitious — even unrealistic — targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental pollutants, like a near 50% reduction in greenhouse gasses over the next six years. This strategy regulates vehicles, buildings and appliances across the state, affecting everything from California’s infrastructure to its economy.

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.

While the state government focuses on dramatic climate plans to make a political statement, researchers in California have found significant positive environmental effects associated with E15. 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.

E15 access benefits the environment, but it benefits other stakeholders as well, including ethanol producers, retailers and drivers. Studies found that the average price of E15 during the 2022 summer driving season was 16 cents less per gallon than regular gas. Ethanol is also produced here in America, so its use increases our energy independence and reduces our reliance on other countries.

This is why it’s critical that California joins the other 49 states in approving higher ethanol blends.

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.

California’s approval will move our country forward on E15 by securing access in all 50 states. Passing my legislation will remove remaining regulatory barriers to its sale. On both the state and federal levels, it’s time to ensure access to a low-cost, low-carbon fuel that benefits drivers, our producers and the environment.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer represents Nebraska.