By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Congressman Sam Graves says the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow E-15 gas to be sold year-round will give commodity prices a boost.

E-15 is a higher blend of ethanol gasoline, which previously could not be sold during the summer months.

Graves says the EPA decision is a needed shot in the arm for the agricultural economy.

“That’s fantastic,” Graves tells St. Joseph Post. “This just helps when it comes to opening up markets. In this particular case, it’s a domestic market, right here within the United States. It’s going to be a huge help for all of our corn growers out there. I applaud the decision. It’s something we’ve been pushing for, something I’ve supported for a long time.  It’s great news for farmers, it really is.”

Typical ethanol-based gas consists of 10% ethanol. The ethanol industry has been pushing for years to be allowed to sell the 15% blend year-round.

Graves says it shouldn’t have taken the EPA this long to take this action.

“Finally, we’ve got an administration, a president that supports this and is pushing for it,” Graves says. “It’s great for the environment. It’s good for farmers. It’s good for our community. It’s a win, win, win.”

Graves says the oil industry has fought to prevent the sale of E-15 year-round, because it could give ethanol a greater share of the energy market.