Rep. Noem Statement on EPA Approval of E15

Press Release

Representative Kristi Noem today made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved E15, gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol, for use in vehicles:

"As drivers in South Dakota and across the nation continue to make sacrifices to afford to fill up their tanks, this is welcome news," said Rep. Noem. "South Dakota is a national leader in ethanol production, and this move by the EPA will not only bring benefits directly to our farmers and local economies, it could ease the impacts of high gas prices on our pocketbooks and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. When we talk about an all-of-the-above energy approach, this is exactly what we mean -- use our resources to boost domestic production, create jobs and lower costs for hard-working Americans."

Previously, an up to 10 percent blend was allowed, which was already giving drivers relief at the pump. A 10 percent blend saves consumers on average 8 to 10 cents per gallon compared to unleaded gasoline, which on a national scale saves almost $30 million dollars a day, according to the American Coalition for Ethanol. E15 has the potential to reduce costs even more, approximately 15 cents per gallon compared to regular gasoline.

Below is a photo taken at a gas station in Sioux Falls on March 15th. The photo shows E10 14 cents cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline, and drivers with vehicles using E85 paid a full $1.00 less per gallon.

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