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Iowa Fuel Retailer Report Shows Large Growth of E15 Sales in Iowa page banner

Iowa Fuel Retailer Report Shows Large Growth of E15 Sales in Iowa

April 9, 2020

 The Iowa Department of Revenue 2019 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report released earlier this month showed a 38 percent increase of E15 sales across Iowa in 2019, totaling a record high at 47.4 million gallons purchased by Iowa motorists. Also, the reported number of fuel retail locations offering higher blends of ethanol increased in Iowa. E15 is now offered at 10 percent of all reported locations, totaling well over 200 locations, with E85 at 350 stations, both record highs.  With 44 percent of corn produced in Iowa, or roughly 1.1 billion bushels, going towards the production of ethanol, this is welcome news for Iowa’s corn farmers.  

“Consumers will choose homegrown, cleaner-burning ethanol blends when they are available, so it is vital we continue to work on infrastructure,” said Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a farmer from Primghar that serves on the state’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board (RFIB). “While the 2019 numbers are an impressive glimpse at noticeable growth in E15 demand, and we understand fuel usage is much different right now, Iowa Corn will continue to work on infrastructure today that can set the ethanol industry and corn farmers up for longer-term success in the future.” 

To continue the momentum of increased sales of ethanol blends, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has worked diligently on the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (H-BIIP) to increase the availability of blends like E15 and E85. Iowa Corn successfully lobbied for a continuation of funding for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) in 2019 ICGA continues to lobby on this effort in 2020 pushing for an increase in funding levels on this vital program. The program is a top priority for Iowa Corn and provides cost-share grants to Iowa retailers to upgrade fueling infrastructure to offer E15, E85 and/or biodiesel blends. Additionally, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced earlier this year that the USDA will provide $100 million for the investment in the expansion of biofuels infrastructure to make higher ethanol blends like E15 more available nationwide.   

To find an E15 and E85 station near you, please visit iowacorn.org/fueling-station-locator. 

To access the full 2019 Iowa Fuel Retailers Report, click here.  

For More Information:

Brandi Snyder, Public Relations Manager, bsnyder@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242 

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