The ethanol industry says escalating tensions in the Middle East are strengthening the case for Congress to approve year-round sales of E-15 fuel. The issue was discussed Wednesday (3/4/26) on Agribusiness Matters on the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Industry leaders argue the latest Iran conflict underscores the need to reduce reliance on foreign oil and protect consumers from geopolitical price spikes. Troy Bredenkamp of the Renewable Fuels Association says expanding E-15 nationwide would help shield the U.S. from volatility tied to OPEC nations.
“It just speaks to the need for us to take every action we can to insulate ourselves from these kinds of geopolitically induced price spikes.”
Bredenkamp says adopting E-15 across the country could displace nearly half of the fuel volume currently coming from OPEC countries. He adds that while overseas conflict may raise input costs for farmers, expanded ethanol use would increase corn demand and help lower prices for drivers.
“Every additional percentage of ethanol that could be blended into gasoline is going to be lowering the price at the pump. That is our story. That is the one we will be trying to get through to Congress and the need to get year-round E-15 done.”
Bredenkamp says the Renewable Fuels Association will continue pressing lawmakers to approve nationwide, year-round E-15 sales as debate continues in Washington.
