Ethanol Use Falls for First Time in 20 Years

Ethanol use in the United States last year fell for the first time since 1998, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

AgWebreports that the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is blaming that fall on waivers EPA granted to refiners allowing them to forego the blending requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

Ethanol consumption in the U.S. in 2017 was just short of 14-and-a-half billion gallons, but fell more than 100 million gallons in 2018.

EPA this week did offer hope for expansion of ethanol consumption in 2019 and beyond by publishing rules to allow year-round sales of 15% blends of ethanol.