You’d think everyone in farm country would be for E15, the 15% blended ethanol fuel that helps boost corn demand. Believe it or not, you’d be wrong.
While the U.S. EPA recently issued temporary emergency waivers to allow nationwide E15 sales through the 2026 summer driving season, a permanent legislative fix remains stalled in the U.S. Senate, despite the U.S. House of Representatives passing a bipartisan bill to legalize the fuel blend year-round.
I asked a fellow closer to the debate in Washington, D.C., about the arguments against E15. As expected, food vs. fuel came up. Another answer surprised me even more: If we’re going to all electric, why do we need to dedicate any more resources or build additional infrastructure to support ethanol? Or any alternative fuel, for that matter?
Needed: More energy sources
Well, I don’t think “all electric” should be a goal for our country. Instead, let’s create a deep bench of farmer-grown fuel sources, everything from pasture-based solar panels to biodiesel to sustainable aviation fuel. Here are a few things to consider:
First, the idea of our lives and the industries that support them being fueled by one source of anything is unlikely in not only our lifetime, but also the next generation or two. Like it or not, the coming new world of artificial intelligence requires more power than ever. The U.S. energy grid must be updated by expanding long-distance transmission lines, integrating advanced digital software for real-time demand management, and adding massive battery storage capacity to safely handle the influx of intermittent renewable energy and surging electricity demands.
Anybody committed to an all-electric world should also think about air travel. Aviation leaders don’t expect to see a battery that’s both lightweight and strong enough to fuel planes anytime soon. It is possible. After all, we went from computers the size of a large room to ones that fit in our back pockets. But a battery that light and strong lives in a far-off someday. In the meantime, however, we need to support sustainable aviation fuel.
Second, some people oppose any type of alternative fuel. They’re definitely not plugged into an electric world. But they likely paid attention to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz this spring, which resulted in the largest oil supply disruption in history, with cumulative losses from Gulf producers exceeding 1.3 billion barrels. So today, even those with the greatest loyalty to fossil fuels might be rethinking their position.
In my corner of the country, we’re prone to hurricanes. Core readers of this magazine live in areas prone to winter storms and tornadoes. What happens when the electricity goes out? What happens when the electricity goes out for days or even weeks because the infrastructure is damaged?
Yeah. We’re going to need a backup plan.
By developing multiple energy options, we can figure out which fuel is most practical in each area of our country.
The final point may be the most important. Alternative fuels have been a proven winner for rural communities. Just look at communities adjacent to ethanol plants. They’re thriving. We can do the same with sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel manufacturing.
Rural communities benefit from increasing revenue streams related to crop production. Those economic opportunities benefit farmers, rural residents and our communities. Jobs increase. Schools thrive. And churches proliferate.
Embracing a wide variety of approaches is essential for reliable energy and our national security. Much like how the diverse practices of different farms create a healthier, more resilient ecosystem, so too can fuel choice give us the energy independence our country needs.