Corn Growers Disappointed E15 Not Included in Year-End Votes

Following votes from Congress on year-end legislation, IL Corn Growers Association President Garrett Hawkins released the following statement:

 “Corn growers are deeply disappointed that a permanent, year-round E15 solution was not included in the end-of-year legislation package. This no-cost provision would have provided a market-driven solution to farmers experiencing low corn prices. 

“IL Corn is appreciative of House and Senate Agriculture leadership and other champions who worked hard to extend the farm bill and provide needed disaster and economic assistance to farm country. This assistance will help growers reeling from natural disasters and multiple years of low crop prices paired with high input costs. Without a permanent E15 solution, much greater assistance will be needed in the future.”

Corn-based ethanol has 45-50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum-based fuel. In Illinois, our 13 ethanol plants produce 1.84 billion gallons of ethanol annually and employ over 22,000 people, with a total economic output of $11.4 billion.

*Economic ethanol impact analysis conducted for the IL Corn Growers Association by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University – Macomb Campus – March 2024