BISMARCK, N.D. — Eight Midwest governors, including Gov. Doug Burgum, notified Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan through a bipartisan letter on April 28 that they are exercising authority under the Clean Air Act to ensure E15 can be sold all year in their states.

North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association (NDEPA) President Gerald Bachmeier released the following statement:

“NDEPA would like to thank Gov. Doug Burgum for his work in recent months to urge EPA to lift restrictions on year-round E15 and to secure a permanent fix for year-round access to E15 for our state’s consumers. North Dakota’s ethanol plants are dedicated to expanding the availability of higher-level ethanol blends, like E15, to provide North Dakotans with an economical fuel, improved environment, and enhanced rural economy.

The ethanol industry is important to North Dakota’s economy with more than $623 million in direct economic impact per year. The plants purchase approximately 50% of the state’s corn crop annually, providing a significant value-added market opportunity for North Dakota’s agricultural producers. Ethanol also is a low-carbon fuel option that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 46% compared to regular gasoline, which is key to achieving the state’s climate goals.”

Joining Gov. Burgum were the governors of Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Combined, these eight states account for over 10% of US gasoline use – a market larger than California. They also are home to 72% of the nation’s ethanol biorefineries, 69% of the nation’s 407,000 ethanol-related jobs, and 69% of the nation’s corn production.

— NDEPA