Podcast: EPA decision on E15 welcome – but it's just first step

In this podcast, Jon Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton and member of the Nebraska Corn Board, provides a few thoughts on the Environmental Protection Agency's recent approval of E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend, for cars model year 2007 and newer.

He said he's confident additional research EPA is undertaking will support the use of E15 in cars model year 2001 and newer and that hopefully EPA will give that approval in the next few months. "While not a perfect solution, it will help," he said, "but the end goal needs to include the approval of E15 in all vehicles."

He said moving to E15 is scientifically sound and is needed to continue advancing the ball for biofuels. It also helps support jobs in the renewable fuels sector, inject millions of dollars into the American economy and provides many environmental benefits by reducing the use of oil.

The simple truth is we need to take steps to adopt higher blends like E15 because it is the only way we can move further away from our dependence on oil and towards a more diversified and renewable fuel supply. Still, the approval is only the first step in the process.

"While EPA’s initial decision is welcome, it is just the first step in the right direction," Holzfaster said. "There are many steps left to take and probably a few hurdles to jump. But we have to start somewhere. We have to continue thinking of the future and doing what it takes to get there."

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