Mark Buschkamp

Economic development is often viewed through the lens of attracting new businesses, but growth also depends on supporting the industries that built our communities and will drive them for generations. Few industries demonstrate this more clearly than ethanol. Iowa leads the nation in ethanol production.

Local farmers, ethanol producers, and the renewable fuels industry have created one of America’s greatest energy success stories. Iowa produces more ethanol than any other state, supplying billions of gallons of renewable fuel, creating thousands of jobs, strengthening national energy security, and providing a dependable market for Midwest corn growers.

Iowans see these benefits daily. Ethanol plants are major employers, reliable customers for farmers, partners to local businesses, and significant contributors to the tax base that supports schools, infrastructure, and public services. Our entire community succeeds when ethanol succeeds. That’s why legislation before the Senate to permanently authorize year‒round E15 sales and modernize the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) program deserves bipartisan support.

For years, the industry has faced unnecessary uncertainty around summertime E15 sales. Temporary waivers and last‒minute regulatory decisions create an unpredictable environment for businesses planning equipment investments or expansions. After leading the nation in renewable fuel production, Iowa shouldn’t have to rely on temporary fixes for a proven fuel.

A permanent solution would give producers and retailers the certainty they need while ensuring consumers have reliable, year‒round access to a more economical, American‒made fuel. Year‒round E15 strengthens demand for ethanol, creating a larger and more stable market for Iowa corn. The benefits extend to trucking companies, equipment dealers, retailers, and countless small businesses tied to a strong agricultural economy. When ethanol grows, rural Iowa grows.

The legislation also improves the Renewable Fuel Standard by adding predictability to the SRE program. Currently, small refineries petition the EPA annually for exemptions from blending requirements, creating year‒to‒year uncertainty about renewable fuel demand. Beginning in 2028, the House proposal would replace this unpredictable process with clear eligibility standards. Qualifying refineries would receive a partial automatic exemption, while full exemptions would be reserved for exceptional circumstances. This clarity would help businesses make long‒term investments with confidence.

Certainty matters for rural communities like ours. Businesses are more likely to expand, hire, and innovate when rules don’t shift overnight. Farmers benefit from knowing their crops have a stable market. Iowa hasn’t asked for special treatment–we’ve simply proven that renewable fuels work. We’ve invested in infrastructure, embraced innovation, and helped establish ethanol as an essential part of America’s fuel supply. Federal policy should reflect that reality.

Congress now has the chance to provide long‒term certainty to Iowa and other ethanol‒producing states. Permanently authorizing year‒round E15 sales and updating the SRE program would strengthen rural economies and support American energy production. For communities like ours, this is more than good energy policy — it’s an investment in the future of Iowa agriculture and national energy independence.

Mark Buschkamp is the executive director of Iowa Falls Area Development.