Green Scissors Coalition: Year Round E15 Worsens Failed Ethanol Policies

The Green Scissors Coalition sent a letter to House Representatives, urging them to oppose the year-round expansion of E15.  The coalition highlights that taxpayers already spend billions subsidizing the US ethanol industry while also mandating a market through the Renewable Fuel Standard, and that this expansion would add billions more in taxpayer costs. The letter also highlights that E15 worsens air, soil, and water quality.

“Independent experts warn that corn ethanol can increase harmful emissions, even compared to traditional gasoline” the letter reads, “Increased demand for ethanol has also driven producers to convert millions of acres of sensitive land into input-intensive corn production, leading to a loss of soil nutrients, increased erosion, and more pollution in groundwater and drinking water. Special treatment allowing more E15 into the market will increase these environmental harms, leaving communities and taxpayers with long-term liabilities.”

This letter is sent ahead of a House vote on a bill allowing year-round E15 sales, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13.