Forecasts calling for higher fuel prices in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) newly released Annual Energy Outlook 2019 (AEO2019) makes the case for higher ethanol blends and lower cost options like E15 at the pump, according to Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth Energy.
“Consumers deserve cleaner, more affordable options, and that’s exactly what higher ethanol blends like E15 can deliver. Regulators at the EPA must act quickly on the president’s pledge and open the door to competition at the fuel pump all year long,” said Bliley.
The EIA report says consumption of transportation fuels will increase considerably between now and 2050, and that retail prices for motor gasoline and diesel fuel will increase between 76 and 82 cents per gallon in the next 30 years, mainly due to increasing crude oil prices. The report also finds that light-duty vehicle miles traveled will increase by 20 percent, “growing from 2.9 trillion miles in 2018 to 3.5 trillion miles in 2050 as a result of rising incomes and growing population.”
During an appearance last week at the National Biodiesel Conference, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said they continue to hope the administration will get the year-round E15 rule done in time for the summer driving season. “We want to see a rule that not only comes out on time, but that’s strong and solid and will withstand litigation,” said Skor.
Meanwhile, Growth Energy reports that consumers across the U.S. have logged a total of 7 billion miles on 15 percent ethanol so far and are working on the #NextBillion.
“The market wants higher blends, the market wants E15, the consumers want it, so there is a lot of continued retailer excitement,” Skor said.
E15 is sold as Unleaded88 or Regular88 by major retailers like Kwik Trip, Sheetz, Casey’s, Cumberland Farms, Thorntons, Kum & Go, RaceTrac, QuikTrip, Rutter’s, Minnoco, Protec Fuel, Murphy USA, and Family Express at more than 1,700 stations across 30 states, and that number will continue to grow.
Listen to the full interview with Skor here:
Interview with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor