Just this week, U.S. EPA did propose a rule that would allow sales of gasoline with a higher ethanol blend in certain Midwest states, but noted that the rule would take effect in summer 2024, a year later than the governors had requested.
Last year, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association and Ohio Ethanol Producers Association sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine asking him to notify U.S. EPA that Ohio wishes to implement the sale of E15 year-round. Currently, E15, or sometimes called Unleaded 88, cannot be sold year-round due to outdated restrictions on vapor pressure at the pump. The governor, along with several other Midwest governors, made that request in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan in 2022.
Just this week, U.S. EPA did propose a rule that would allow sales of gasoline with a higher ethanol blend in certain Midwest states, but noted that the rule would take effect in summer 2024, a year later than the governors had requested.
“This delay by the EPA would mean even fewer choices at the pump for Ohio consumers and takes one of the lowest cost options for fuel out of the equation this summer,” said Brandon Kern, senior director of state and national policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “Offering E15 throughout the year has given substantial relief to Ohioans’ budgets when they have needed it most. We encourage EPA to reconsider their proposal, and we appreciate Governor DeWine’s efforts to offer E15 year-round to help consumers at the pump and increase demand for corn grown by farmers across Ohio.”
During fuel supply disruptions last year, the EPA was told by President Joe Biden to use existing agency authority to prevent a disruption in E15 availability between June 1 and Sept. 15. That move increased the nation’s fuel supply and put an average of 16 cents per gallon back in the pockets of Americans.
A bipartisan group of senators, including Ohio’s Sherrod Brown, are asking the president to take that same action again this year.
“If the administration is committed to providing access to year-round E15 in the long term, they shouldn’t let EPA rulemaking delays prevent it from being offered this summer,” Kern said.
House Bill 646 would establish a Data Center Study Commission to examine the impact of rapid data center development across the state.
Read More
The plan provides a blueprint for policymakers and Ohio Farm Bureau members to bolster Ohio’s agriculture industry and our rural communities.
Read More
Leah Curtis joins this Legal with Leah to talk about what data centers mean for local communities and how to stay engaged in the development process
Read More
A recent state budget fix and a federal rule reform to H-2A have resulted in some relief for farmers who use the guest worker program.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau advocated for a change in the law to allow family members and employees to handle pesticides while under the supervision of a licensed applicator. The rules around HB 10 are being finalized.
Read More
Four property tax reform bills were signed into Ohio law at the end of 2025. Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis breaks down the bills and what the changes mean for Ohioans.
Read More
A proposal to import beef from Argentina comes on top of the government shutdown and ongoing economic pressures facing agriculture.
Read More
Any unlicensed handlers who use restricted use pesticides will need to have additional training. Farm Bureau will be working on legislation to give employers a choice on how to provide training.
Read More
After nearly 100 days of traveling the nation and visiting directly with hundreds of farmers across America, U.S. Secretary of…
Read More
Over 20% of all the production in the United States from agriculture gets exported to a different country.
Read More
