Insight Focus
The NCGA continues to advocate for year-round E15. NCGA is lobbying Congress and the EPA for a permanent solution to seasonal restrictions. Despite setbacks, it continues to gain bipartisan support for the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.
The National Corn growers Association (NCGA) is one of the loudest US cheerleaders in the effort to boost the availability and use of ethanol for transportation. The group is vigorously lobbying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand the rules to allow for national year-round use of E15.
We asked NCGA’s manager of public policy Matt Ziegler for a progress report on the E15 campaign.
Matt Ziegler, Manager of Public Policy at The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
1. Why does the US need E15?
Inflation, tariffs and the economy are the talk of the town in Washington these days. And state and national corn grower advocates have been making a strong case that these concerns are precisely why US consumers need consistent, year-round access to higher blends of ethanol.
The reason is simple: ethanol saves drivers money at the pump, is good for the environment and is an economic engine for farmers and the rural US. It also is home grown and provides the US with energy security. Ethanol has something for everyone.
Unfortunately, though, the nation still operates on a dated policy that interrupts access to fuel with 15% ethanol blends during the summer months.
NCGA has worked with the US Environmental Protection Agency to provide waivers that allow for continued access to this fuel over the last several summers, but this approach does not provide farmers or consumers with the long-term certainty they need. And as the nation struggles with inflation and higher gas prices, we need a long-term and permanent fix.
That’s why we have worked with key congressional allies who recently reintroduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow for year-round access to these fuels.
2. Is progress being made?
State and national corn grower leaders and allies have been relentless in working to get this legislation across the finish line.
We came close to winning in December, when legislation designed to keep the government funded through March included language eliminating the outdated E15 policy. At the eleventh hour, however, the language was removed—much to our disappointment.
This year we re-upped our efforts this year, recently sending the leaderships in the House and Senate a letter with close to 9,000 signatures from farmers and our allies calling for action.
We also teamed up with congressional sponsors of the bill, as they held a press conference on Capitol Hill in March to rally support for our efforts.
3. Are the Trump administration and Congress receptive of the E15 message?
As some in Washington talk about what they’re against, we are in a unique position to talk about what we are for. Luckily, we have some heavy hitters on our side, including President Donald J. Trump, who has expressed his support for eliminating barriers to ethanol.
While we have a lot going for us, we also have several challenges. If inflation, tariffs and economic concerns are helping us make our case, they also are causing a lot of distractions, impeding our ability to attract the attention of policymakers and the media.
We are also having to navigate a very divided Congress. This includes divisions in each party and between Democrats and Republicans. We had hoped, for example, to include language that would address this issue in a new bill to fund the government, but because Republican control of the House is so tight, Speaker Mike Johnson kept the legislation strictly focused on government funding, so he wouldn’t lose votes.
However, I still think there are many opportunities over the days ahead to get this legislation passed and signed by the president.
About Matthew Ziegler
Matt spent two years at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), briefing Secretary Sonny Perdue on key policy issues such as rural development, inland waterways and rural broadband.
He was also responsible for preparing the Secretary for all domestic and international travel, as well as representing USDA leadership with key stakeholders in Congress, states, and rural communities. Prior to his time at USDA, Matt interned for Congressman Pete Sessions.
A Texas native, Matt received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.
About NCGA
Founded in 1957, NCGA represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its affiliated associations in 27 states work together to help protect and advance corn growers’ interests.
