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Corn farmer says year-round E15 shouldn’t be delayed until 2025

An eastern Iowa corn farmer says he’s frustrated with the U.S. EPA’s decision to delay the implementation of year-round E15 fuel sales until 2025.

“I just don’t see any logic why this wasn’t done for this year,” Lance Lillbridge said.

The Vinton, Iowa grower tells Brownfield he’s hoping the Biden administration will issue an emergency waiver for the 2024 summer driving season.

“With all of the environmental issues and the carbon conversation, E15 is the absolute best way to reduce carbon and it’s available right now,” he said. “Why are we not getting it done?”

Lillibridge, a past president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, says fuel retailers have made significant investments in E15 infrastructure. “A lot of that was incentivized by our state and by commodity organizations,” he said.

A group of biofuel supporters, including the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association, recently asked EPA to implement emergency waivers on a temporary basis effective on May 1st.