California is the only state left to approve sales of E15, which is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) said just over one year ago, California introduced an ambitious climate strategy for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. She pointed to “practical reforms” that would immediately benefit California and the environment, referring to the approval of E15 sales in the state.
“While the state government focuses on dramatic climate plans to make a political statement, researchers in California have found significant positive environmental effects associated with E15,” Fischer stated. “Emissions testing conducted at the University of California at Riverside, supported by the California Air Resources Board, found that replacing 10% ethanol (E10) with E15 results in significant air quality benefits — including statistically significant reductions in the emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbon gases and other pollutants.”
Montana recently became the 49th state to approve the sale of E15. Earlier this week, the Biden administration announced it was set to approve E15 gasoline expansion in 2025.
Some activists who oppose E15 believe ethanol production would require land that otherwise would be used for food production, Fischer stated.
Last year, Fischer reintroduced the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Choice Act, which would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15.
