MCGA applauds passage of bill legalizing E15 in California
Lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 could soon be coming to California. Last week, the California State Senate voted 39-0 to approve Assembly Bill 30, which would legalize E15 immediately upon the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. California is the only state in the nation that does not currently allow the sale of E15.
In a statement, Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Jim Kanten said the bill’s passage is tremendous news for Californians, who stand to see lower fuel prices, reduced emissions, and increased choices at the pump.
“Midwestern corn farmers also stand to see increased market demand for corn ethanol, bolstering rural economies,” Kanten said. “We’re grateful that California legislators have taken this common-sense step, and we are appreciative of our partners at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) for their leadership on the issue. We look forward to working with RFA and fuel retailers and distributors in California to help drivers access E15.”
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in a statement that California is taking a big step toward lower gas prices and a cleaner, more sustainable future with the bill’s passage.
“Many other states have already seen the benefits of E15—healthier air, better engine performance, and cost savings at the pump. Now, California drivers are on the cusp of experiencing those same advantages, and we urge Gov. Newsom to sign the bill into law as quickly as possible. E15 will provide relief at the pump for Californians who continue to face the highest gas prices in the country.”
Cooper continued, “We applaud the California legislature for swiftly passing this critical bill, and we especially thank the bipartisan California Problem Solvers Caucus for bringing awareness and attention to this issue. AB30’s sponsors, Assemblymembers David Alvarez and Heath Flora, also deserve special recognition for their leadership in opening the California marketplace to more affordable, cleaner fuel options.”
According to RFA, recent studies show E15, which is typically marketed as Unleaded 88 at the pump, could save California drivers $2.7 billion annually, or $200 per household, and significantly cut the emissions of tailpipe pollutants that create smog and contribute to illness and disease. In Minnesota, for example, where E15 is offered at more than 520 fuel stations, drivers saved over $24 million in 2024 by filling up with the fuel over regular unleaded, or E10.
Selling E15 in California would also benefit Midwestern agricultural economies, since the fuel contains up to 50% more ethanol by volume than regular unleaded.
Given that Californians consume approximately 13.5 billion gallons of gasoline annually, converting the state’s fuel supply from E10 to E15 could increase ethanol use by up to 800 million gallons annually. That’s a volume greater than all of America’s biggest ethanol export markets, such as Canada (approximately 650 million gallons annually) or the U.K. (approximately 225 million gallons annually).
Even if E15 replaces a portion of the fuel market in California, it could significantly increase ethanol consumption in the state.
Gov. Newsom has expressed his support for legalizing E15, saying last year that “there is massive potential for this [E15] to be a win-win for Californians: lowering gas prices by up to twenty cents per gallon while keeping our air clean.”
RFA has been leading the effort to secure E15 approval in California for the past seven years, Cooper noted, beginning with the 2018 initiation of a “multimedia evaluation” of E15 in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and other ethanol industry stakeholders. While California’s recently finalized 2025-2026 state budget includes funding for CARB to complete the E15 approval process, AB30 allows the fuel to be sold while CARB’s work progresses.
Last week, RFA began hosting a series of E15 educational workshops this fall for California fuel marketers, equipment suppliers, and others in the supply chain who are interested in making lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15 available to drivers. Minnesota Corn is proud to support these workshops as part of its efforts to increase market access for homegrown biofuels. Additionally, Minnesota Corn is supporting efforts to reach consumers nationwide about the benefits of E15 through an outreach campaign on ESPN this college season.
Learn more about E15 and find a Minnesota E15 station near you at mnfuels.com.
