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Deputy Ag Secretary says E15 expansion within reach despite congressional hurdles

Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden says he’s optimistic that 2026 could be the year a federal E15 solution finally gets across the finish line.

“I think E15 is going to get there,” he said. “It’s frankly been much more of a struggle than it should have been.”

Speaking during a lecture series hosted by the University of Arkansas on Tuesday, Vaden said consumers across the U.S. need increased access to cheaper fuel blends.

“At a time when the price of gasoline is very much on everyone’s mind, it’s important to note that a gallon of ethanol today sells for more than 80 cents a gallon less than a gallon of refined gasoline.”

He says the U.S. has the production capacity to significantly expand ethanol use.

“We would be able to have 15% ethanol across the board in every gasoline station across this country,” Vaden said. “We have enough (corn) production to cover that.”

An E15 bill still faces an uncertain path in Congress. Some Senate lawmakers say a “skinny” farm bill could be a vehicle to advance it. But the House Ag Committee left it out of its version. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson says he supports year-round E15, but it’s not within the committee’s jurisdiction.