Growth Energy urges immediate action on E15 policy  

Growth Energy, the United States’ largest biofuel trade association, has renewed its call for swift legislative action to “fix” E15 policy in response to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest farm income forecast, which paints a continued challenging picture for American farmers.
The USDA’s recent forecast shows net farm income is expected to slightly decline in 2026 and remain under pressure despite strong government payments and stable overall receipts, highlighting persistent economic stress in the agricultural sector.
Emily Skor, Growth Energy’s chief executive officer, emphasised that rural America is struggling under current conditions and that farmers need reliable markets rather than increased dependency on federal support.
Skor noted that expanding access to E15 — a fuel blend of gasoline with 15% ethanol — could immediately create demand for up to 2.4 billion additional bushels of corn at no cost to taxpayers, providing much-needed economic relief for corn growers while potentially lowering fuel costs for consumers.
Growth Energy’s appeal follows widespread agricultural and biofuel industry support for year-round E15 sales, which proponents argue would strengthen ethanol demand, enhance energy security and help stabilise farm incomes.
As lawmakers deliberate on energy and agriculture policy this year, Growth Energy is urging Congress to prioritise permanent E15 reform to support rural economies and improve market certainty for farmers and fuel retailers alike.