The ethanol industry says a handful of mid-sized oil refiners are the major hangup for year-round E15 legislation and are prioritizing profits over a deal which would allow access to E15 year-round.
Troy Bredenkamp of the Renewable Fuels Association says the six mid-sized oil refiners are the hold-up to a deal that was already agreed to by the broader energy industry.
Bredenkamp says the mid-sized refiners are made up of multiple refiners with backing by major corporate stakeholders that do not need federal assistance.
He points out that after no deal was reached by February 15th, a pivot may be necessary towards the original deal endorsed by the American Petroleum Institute. Bredenkamp says it could be attached to a must-pass spending bill like Homeland Security to thread the needle for nationwide E15 access year-round.
If the window for legislation closes it would lead to another E15 emergency summertime waiver and further uncertainty for corn growers and an expanding demand problem.
