By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

DES MOINES, Iowa — With the date of the comment period recently extended to July 20, Iowa Agriculture Sec. Bill Northey and South Dakota Agriculture Sec. Bill Even are jointly supporting approval of a waiver to the Clean Air Act that would permit gasoline blends to contain up to 15 percent ethanol. 

“There is significant research that shows the level of ethanol in our gasoline can increase with no ill effects on automobiles while continuing the air quality improvements seen with E10,” Northey said of the May 19 letter he and Even submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“When these facts are considered along with the economic and national security benefits we see from increased ethanol production, raising the blend level just makes sense,” he said.
Northey and Even are the latest among many Midwestern state agriculture officials to submit comments regarding the proposed move to a higher ethanol blend commissioned by the EPA, which currently only allows 10 percent ethanol in gasoline.

“On behalf of the South Dakota and Iowa Departments of Agriculture, we write to urge the adoption and implementation of this waiver, increasing the allowable ethanol content of gasoline beyond the current regulatory cap of 10 percent,” Northey and Even wrote.

On March 6, Growth Energy in Washington, D.C. and 54 ethanol manufacturers submitted a waiver application to the EPA administrator, who enforces the Clean Air Act. The ad hoc group is requesting a waiver which currently prohibits certain fuels and fuel additives in commercial fuels, seeking approval of ethanol-gasoline blends containing up to 15 percent ethanol by volume.

In turn, the National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) said its policy, which was approved by voting delegates on Feb. 28, stated that it would “work with all partners in the ethanol industry to create a unified strategy to expand ethanol usage and production.”
“The NCGA supports the ethanol industry’s efforts to move beyond the current 10 percent blend wall,” said NCGA President Bob Dickey. “We understand overcoming this hurdle will require sound science in a transparent process,” he said.

Northey said raising the level to 15 percent, referred to as E15, is a natural first step to higher ethanol blends, which has been backed by extensive research showing that cars and air quality weren’t affected by the increase.

“The science shows it can be done in a way that will have no negative impact on engines and will continue the clean air benefits seen with E10,” he said. “We have seen the dramatic impact ethanol has had on our rural communities and adding to our energy independence, and I expect those benefits to continue.”
Like Northey and Even, Dwayne Siekman, executive director of the Ohio Corn Growers Assoc., said he supported the efforts to move to higher blend levels of ethanol and is confident that after the EPA conducts a comprehensive study, “sound science will prevail and the nation can move further towards energy security.”

“Ohio corn growers have shown they are ready for the challenge by continually producing more corn on less land with less inputs and sequestering more carbon than any time in our nation’s history,” he said. Moreover, several studies, including some done in North Dakota, have already shown that vehicle performance and engine durability weren’t affected by E15, claimed Mindi Grieve, president of the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy. 

“It’s become clear that the arbitrary 10 percent regulatory cap is outdated and nothing more than a cap on jobs and opportunity,” she said.

In his comments to the EPA, Bruce W. Hosier, mayor of Portland, Ind., said “elements that provide a level playing field for the advancement of ethanol as a valuable fuel resource is a common sense approach in helping meet the needs of the citizens we all have the privilege of serving.” 

In addition, Northey said studies would show investors considering getting involved with cellulosic ethanol would reap the benefits.
“There is a commitment to renewable fuels and an expanding market that will give them added confidence they will get a return on their investment,” he added. “If we undermine corn ethanol, I don’t see how cellulosic ever takes off.” 

Overall, Northey said ethanol has proven to have a positive impact on the American economy by creating more jobs, increasing domestic production and adding a larger tax base.

“It is important we take the next step to expand the industry by increasing the current ethanol blend of 10 percent, to 15 or 20 percent,” he said.