Insight Focus
E15 expansion could add USD 25.8 billion to the US economy. A new study finds the gains would come from higher corn demand, ethanol production, exports and construction, while also supporting 128,000 jobs. With a record harvest weighing on prices, full E15 adoption could help absorb the surplus and lift the ethanol industry’s impact to USD 88 billion.
New Study Outlines Year-Round E15 Boost to US Economy
A new economic study released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows that expanding year-round, nationwide consumer access to fuels with a 15% ethanol blend would provide a major boost to the US economy, benefitting farmers, communities, and consumers alike.
The study comes as Congress considers the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would remove an outdated provision in the Clean Air Act that restricts summertime sales of fuel with 15% ethanol blends.
According to the study, providing consistent year-round access to E15 would add USD 25.8 billion to US gross domestic product, increase incomes by USD 10.3 billion, and support 128,000 additional full-time jobs.
“The study’s findings support what corn growers have been saying all along, that higher sales of corn ethanol are good for the economy, and that is particularly true for rural America,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Given the state of the farm economy and the focus on increasing jobs available to Americans, we would encourage Congress to act quickly and pass legislation that allows consumers to access E15 year-round.”
Ethanol, Corn, Exports and Construction Drive Boost
Of the USD 25.8 billion in economic impact, USD 7.3 billion is tied to ethanol production, USD 13.8 billion comes from the corn needed to produce the ethanol, and the remaining amounts are derived from exports and construction.
“Ethanol has a proven track record when it comes to boosting rural economics, creating good jobs and opening valuable new markets for farmers,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “But outdated policies, like the summertime barrier on E15, are stifling further growth. This new report shows exactly what’s at stake: thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in economic activity, and the health of the farm economy are all on the line. It’s time for Congress to adopt legislation allowing year-round E15.”
E15 Expansion Could Help Absorb Record Corn Supply
Agricultural groups have been sounding the alarm about the state of the rural economy. Reports recently released by the USDA project that this year’s corn crop will be the largest on record, with production 1.5 billion bushels above the record set in 2023 and 13.1% higher than the 2024 harvest.
Source: USDA
With the marketplace struggling to absorb this surplus, corn prices—already at five-year lows—will struggle to rebound unless new sources of demand are opened.
The study shows that the demand for higher blends of ethanol could help create a home for increased corn production.
The analysis was conducted by NCGA and RFA economists using the IMPLAN model with 2023 base-year US data, with monetary figures reported in 2025 dollars. Economists calculated the impacts by comparing the economic output of three scenarios: a baseline of corn usage for ethanol and its economic impact, an interim E15 adoption scenario as infrastructure and capacity expand, and full E15 adoption.
With full E15 implementation, the total economic impact of the ethanol industry would reach USD 88 billion.
