Thousands are expected to flock to the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs Tuesday evening as President Donald Trump holds a Make America Great Again rally.
During the speech, Trump is expected to offer a boost to agriculture by widening the availability of higher blends of ethanol. Currently, there is a ban in the summer time for the use of E15, but sources tell 6 News that the President will arrive in farm country with a plan for releasing that summer ban so more ethanol could be sold.
That news makes area farmers happy to hear.
Kevin Ross runs a sixth generation farm outside Underwood, Iowa and he says, “With corn prices being depressed for the last few years, we really need a boost to the market right now." He says any boost to the ethanol market is a big deal. "It's a long time coming."
Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol tells 6 News that, “Chicago can sell E15 year-round without any issues. But Omaha cannot. Des Moines can't. Council Bluffs can't. If the president moves forward with this, the same rules for E15 will apply to everyone."
E15 is a higher octane fuel that’s 15-percent ethanol and 85-percent gasoline, with most of the ethanol in the U.S. coming from corn.
The American Petroleum Institute is on the other side of the argument. Spokesperson Patrick Kelly said, “We're concerned about our customers. Customer satisfaction is a big deal for oil companies. Retail brands don't want people unhappy and to have a fuel that's not compatible with your vehicle is a customer satisfaction issue."
The American Coalition for Ethanol stressed that 90% of cars can use E15: models from 2001 to today.