Northey statement on E15 approval for 2001 and newer vehicles

Iowa Department of Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement on the announcement today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowing the blend of ethanol in unleaded gasoline to increase from 10 percent to 15 percent in 2001 model year vehicles and newer.  This follows a decision by EPA to allow unleaded fuel with 15 percent ethanol (E15) to be allowed in vehicles from the 2007 model year and newer last fall.

Iowa is the nation’s largest ethanol producer, with over 3 billion gallons produced annually at the 40 ethanol plants in the state.

Northey’s statement follows here:

“I am glad EPA is continuing to confirm that E15 is safe to use.  Our Department will work with retailers to encourage the appropriate labeling of this fuel.  I hope now more retailers will consider offering E15 since it can be used in most vehicles and I would encourage customers to ask their fuel providers to make this clean, safe and affordable option available.

“Ethanol is a great value in the marketplace now, so I think there are real opportunities to increase the use of E15 in newer vehicles and E85 in flex fuel vehicles.”