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South Dakota corn continues push for E15 solution

The vice president of South Dakota Corn says permanent year-round E15 access would give farmers a reliable market for their grain.

Trent Kubik tells Brownfield, “It’s a cleaner burning fuel. Being homegrown, our corn is one of the most sustainable feedstocks you can use for fuel production. Even beyond E15, there’s a lot more uses for sustainable fuel production.”

Last week, 16 state attorneys general – led by Iowa’s Brenna Bird – called on congressional leadership to expedite passage of a bill allowing the year-round availability of the lower-cost E15 fuel blend.

Kubik says the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, recently introduced in the U.S. House and Senate, would eliminate the need for emergency waivers from the U.S. EPA.

“We thought we had it done around Christmas time last year with the CR and that got pulled last minute. We’re really trying to push for it. It just makes a lot of sense. We’re using our homegrown corn and fuel. We know E15 is a good blend for all cars. It’s something that we feel strongly can get across the finish line.”

The bill has been supported by the American Petroleum Institute, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union and the National Association of Convenience Stores.

Kubik spoke to Brownfield at the 2025 Commodity Classic.