Biofuels sector urges year‑round E15 to cushion wartime oil price surge

A leading US biofuels association is calling for permanent, nationwide access to E15 petrol as a means of easing the sharp rise in fuel prices triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has urged Congress to authorise uninterrupted, year‑round sales of the 15% ethanol blend, arguing that the current oil price spike highlights the country’s continued vulnerability to geopolitical shocks.
The RFA maintains that wider availability of E15 would provide immediate relief for motorists, as the blend typically retails for 10–30 cents per gallon less than standard E10 fuel.
This price advantage has been noted by agricultural and biofuel groups more broadly, who argue that expanding E15 access would not only support consumers but also strengthen domestic energy resilience and create more stable markets for US farmers.
Industry leaders have repeatedly stressed that the United States possesses ample ethanol supplies, with stocks recently approaching seasonal highs.
They contend that unlocking year‑round E15 would help absorb these supplies while reducing reliance on imported oil during periods of global instability.
The debate continues in Congress, where proposals for permanent E15 authorisation remain under discussion amid competing interests from agriculture groups and refiners.