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Ohio Corn and Wheat responds to Governor DeWine’s request for E-15 delay

Ohio’s Governor has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to delay implementation of the Midwest E-15 rule until 2026.

Tadd Nicholson is the executive director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Grower’s Association.

“The governor is getting some pressure by the petroleum industry to delay this or pull out of that agreement,” he says. “It’s disappointing, but we are united with the petroleum industry on the federal fix. State by state, they’re not with us.”

He says the lack of availability is holding back statewide corn demand.

“If we allowed more higher blends like unleaded 88 or E15, that would take 470 million bushels of corn,” he says. “That’s like 80% of Ohio’s crop.”

Nicholson says the organization is optimistic for a federal solution this year.

“Federal legislation would give E-15 the same waiver that E-10 enjoys in the Clean Air Act,” he says.

Eight Midwestern states, which included Ohio, petitioned the EPA to allow summer sales of E-15 starting in April 2025.

AUDIO: Tadd Nicholson, Ohio Corn and Wheat