Chairman Willis, Vice Chairman Daniels, Ranking Member Grim,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony in support of House Bill 931, which would require the state to use E15 in compatible state vehicles when available. Growth Energy is the nation’s largest association of ethanol producers, representing 98 U.S. plants that each year produce more than 9.5 billion gallons of cleaner-burning, renewable fuel, including five of Ohio’s seven biorefineries. We also represent groups such as the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, working with them and thousands of ethanol supporters across the country to bring better and more affordable choices at the pump, diversify our energy portfolio, create more energy jobs, and sustain family farms.
E15 is a lower cost fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol and approved for use in gas-powered vehicles model year 2001 and newer, which is more than 96 percent of cars on the road today. The State of Ohio owns and manages thousands of vehicles that are capable of utilizing E15. These vehicles represent a real opportunity for the state to save taxpayer money by filling up the state fleet with E15. While the number of stations offering E15 in Ohio is limited relative to other states in the Midwest, and other legislation being considered by the committee aims to change that, Ohio drivers are currently seeing savings as much as 50 cents per gallon when using E15. HB 931 would benefit Ohioans by ensuring the use of lower-cost E15 with state vehicles, saving the state and, ultimately, taxpayers.
Beyond the direct financial benefits to the state and taxpayers, establishing a policy that requires the use of E15 when and where available sends a clear signal to Ohio’s corn growers in need of expanded domestic markets: that state government will prioritize fuel options that have a positive impact on Ohio farmers, At a time when low corn prices and high input costs are squeezing corn growers across the state and nation, adopting an E15-first policy for the state’s vehicle fleet is a significant action the state can take to do its part in bolstering domestic corn and ethanol production.
We applaud Representative Williams for introducing HB 931 alongside other pro-ethanol legislation to establish Ohio as a leader in policies that puts the state’s farmers, taxpayers, and drivers first with a commonsense solution like the use of E15 in the state vehicle fleet.
Given our experience with retailers around the country offering ethanol blends, we are happy to assist the committee with technical questions as it considers HB 931 and other initiatives that help strengthen domestic demand for Ohio-raised corn and Ohio-made ethanol.