The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday approved the use of of E15 (15 percent ethanol blends) for
use in vehicles model-year 2001 and newer, expanding a previous approval for those models 2007 and
newer.
Reaction from various sectors has varied.
Below is a sample of the comments regarding the EPA’s action released by some key players in the market:

Corn growers
The National Corn Growers Association applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement.
"The announcement by EPA this morning is welcome news," said NCGA Chairman Darrin Ihnen, a
South Dakota corn grower. "We have worked closely with EPA during this process and are pleased to
see they also realized what our industry has known for a long time: the use of higher blends of ethanol
in vehicles is safe."
Among the benefits Ihnen points out:
¥ According to a 2009 study, moving to E15 will create more than 136,000 new jobs across America and
inject $24.4 billion into the American economy annually.
¥ By using E10 in much of its fuel today, the United States has reduced its dependence on foreign oil by
billions of gallons each year. Increasing the blend level from E10 to E15 can avoid the importation of
another seven billion gallons of gasoline per year.
¥ Moving from our current blend to E15 means we could reduce an additional 20 million metric tons of
greenhouse gas emissions per year. That means E15 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to
removing 10.5 million vehicles from the road.
Auto makers
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM) is disappointed with today’s
decision by EPA to expand its partial waiver to 2001-2006 model year vehicles.
AIAM member companies are pioneering technologies to advance the goal of increasing fuel economy and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"We have, and continue to support the use of alternative fuels, including ethanol. However, before
any new fuel is introduced into the marketplace for use in current vehicles and engines not warranted or
certified for such fuel, we believe comprehensive, independent and objective scientific testing must be
completed to show that the fuel will not increase air pollution, harm engines, or endanger consumers and
that there are adequate protections to prevent misfueling.
"In our view, EPA has prematurely granted the partial waiver, which – if applied at all – should
only be imposed prospectively. As part of a coalition of vehicle and engine products associations, AIAM
currently is challenging in court EPA’s grant of a partial waiver permitting gasoline with E15 for 2007
model year and newer vehicles. AIAM remains committed to continue working with the administration and
other stakeholders to establish performance-based targets to address the challenging issues related to
the introduction of new fuels into the marketplace.
POET ethanol
Rob Skjonsberg, POET Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs, made the following
statement after the Environmental Protection Agency announcement. approval
"The EPA’s decision today opens the door to solving the market barrier on ethanol use. We’re clearly
moving forward, but significant hurdles remain before consumers can start using E15. Research supports
approval of E15 for all vehicles. We knew this two years ago when the industry submitted the waiver.
This is a necessary first step, but we have to move toward a market that allows competition."
Pork producers
The National Pork Producers Council expressed strong disappointment with the Obama administration’s
decision to allow a broader range of vehicles to use gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would permit the use of the higher blend rate – up from
the current 10 percent – for model year 2001 and newer automobiles. The decision expands the agency’s
previous decision to allow so-called E15 in model year 2006 or newer cars and light trucks.
"It’s very disappointing that the administration made this decision given the rising price of corn
and the lower estimate for this year’s corn harvest that recently was announced," said Randy
Spronk, a hog and crop farmer from Edgerton, Minn., who serves on NPPC’s board of directors and is
chairman of the organization’s Environment Committee.
Farmers Union
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:
"NFU is pleased that, after significant scientific review and testing, the EPA came to the right
conclusion by allowing vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2006 to utilize E15. According to Growth
Energy, this decision means E15 will soon be available for approximately 60 percent of the domestic
automobile fleet. This is a major advancement toward greater energy independence and reduced greenhouse
gas emissions.
"Today’s decision will also help address the ethanol blend wall by providing greater market access
for the ethanol industry and for farmers who produce clean, renewable energy solutions for our
country."