ICYMI: Iowa Corn Growers “Furious” With New Development on E15

The Iowa Corn Growers Association blasted Congress as House Republicans cave to oil and gas lobby with a big spending bill that doesn’t include access to E15

Des Moines – As Iowa’s agricultural economy struggles under the weight of rising input costs, tariffs, and low prices, House Republicans are expected to advance a funding bill that does not include language to allow consumers across the country access to E15.

In response, the Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa, Mark Mueller released the following statement: 

“Iowa’s corn growers are frustrated and disappointed that after spending years advocating and sharing the benefits for all Americans that comes with the passage of E15, Congress has again kicked the can down the road. There is now talk that members of Congress are planning to establish a rural energy council to explore this legislation. We have worked on E15 for years. We already have a bill. We have already come to an agreement with the petroleum industry. There is nothing left to discuss.”

“Rather than including E15, Congress is now trying to appease farmers with this new task force. The fact that this news comes on the same day that talks of a $1.2 trillion taxpayer government funding package comes out is bizarre. Today, corn is priced below the cost of production when we have a solution with E15 that would add 94 cents per bushel. Farmers don’t want payments. We want markets. But without nationwide, year-round E15, many of us are now going to continue relying on government payments to stay afloat.

“The absence of E15 shows that Congressional Leadership is choosing to side with a handful of non-U.S. based refineries, rather than the American corn farmer.”

The ICGA posted on X, saying: “ICGA is furious with new development on E15. The House is expected to advance a funding bill today that omits language that would allow consumers across the country to access fuels with a 15% corn ethanol blend, often referred to as E15.” 

The National Corn Growers Association also released a statement on the new E15 development today saying: 

“Corn growers are disgusted, disappointed and disillusioned that after spending years of calling for passage of E15, Congress has again punted, and it has done so in a spectacularly weak and offensive way. Bizarrely, members of Congress are now planning to establish a rural energy council to explore this legislation as if we are in the beginning stages of discussing E15. We already have a bill. We already have an agreement with the petroleum industry after months of negotiation. But instead of acting, Congress is now suggesting a process-ridden task force that kicks the can down the road once again. Congress is choosing to leave America’s 500,000 corn farmers behind in favor of a handful of refineries.”  

More information:

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Iowa Daily Cash Grain Bins, Iowa’s average corn price is at $3.88, down three cents. According to a recent report from Reuters, farmers need corn prices of $5.03 a bushel to break even in 2026. 

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