Is E15 Good For America?

Is E15 Good For America? I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Last week the Environmental Protection Agency gave a green light to the fuel blend called E15 for cars and light trucks built in or after 2007. The fuel is gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol, which is made from corn and other renewable sources. Not everyone was pleased with the decision since there was a question about older vehicles using E15. JONES: This is a good first step toward achieving energy independence for the country. It will begin the process of increasing the ethanol rate and hopefully soon we will see EPA make the decision that older cars can also use a blend of E15. That's American Farm Bureau Energy Specialist Elizabeth Jones who says that decision is expected later this year after additional testing by the Department of Energy and the more home-grown fuel our nation uses, the better. JONES: This change means that investors will be more likely to look at expanding not just ethanol but other biofuels as an alternative to importing energy sources. It will help this country achieve energy independence and it will create jobs in rural America and create new markets for farmers. The economy, not just of agriculture but also of rural America in general, should benefit greatly from this first step. Jones says this approval could lead to additional research to make biofuels efficiently from feed stocks found throughout the country like tree trimmings, algae and switchgrass. JONES: More biofuels plants will be built. Those will usually be built in rural communities close to the feedstock for the biofuels and that will create jobs for folks who live in those communities and they are usually good jobs and not only will help create jobs but a tax base for things like schools, libraries and other things that rural communities need. She explains a recent EPA decision about ethanol. JONES: The Environmental Protection Agency granted a waiver that will allow cars that were manufactured post 2007 and afterwards to use a blend of gasoline and ethanol that has a 15-percent ethanol blend. Jones talks about an important benefit of ethanol. JONES: The E15 blend should be cheaper than the prices they're paying now at the pump. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.