President Donald Trump tweeted an announcement out over the weekend directed at increasing availability and sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel.

“Subject only to State approval, our important Ethanol Industry will be allowed to use the 10% Pumps for the 15% BLEND,” the president tweeted on Saturday morning, thanking several ethanol state senators including Joni Ernst of Iowa. He called Sen. Ernst to share the news with her personally.

“That saves tremendous amounts of money for the people in the ethanol industry,” President Trump said over the phone as Sen. Ernst shared the call on Twitter. “Like hundreds of millions of dollars I hear for the conversion (of pumps for E15) and there’s no reason to do it.”

“We thank President Trump for his commitment to removing obstacles to E15 and for again highlighting the importance of the ethanol industry to our nation’s economy and energy security,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We look forward to learning more about the President’s plans to expand the nationwide use of E15, as well as EPA’s intentions with the 98 pending small refinery exemption petitions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

Listen to President Trump announce the E15 decision to Sen. Ernst.
Pres. Trump announces E15 policy (1:05)