Oregon Governor signs law to increase ethanol blends

In Oregon, Governor Kate Brown signed a new law, HB 3051, that revises state law to clarify that gasoline sold in Oregon must contain at least 10 percent ethanol and gives retailers the ability to offer higher ethanol blends, like E15, across the state benefitting consumers and the environment.

The new law is an important measure that will help clean Oregon’s air and reduce their carbon footprint immediately while saving motorists money at the pump, according to POET.

“Oregon’s diverse geography and unique landscape help make protecting the environment a clear priority for state policymakers. Plant-based renewable ethanol is 46 percent cleaner than traditional gasoline. This new law creates the pathway for higher blends of ethanol—helping Oregon take meaningful steps to improve air quality and curb the effects of climate change by sustainably decarbonizing the light duty vehicles on Oregon’s road today,” said Joshua Shields, Senior Vice President at POET, the world’s largest biofuel producer.

A study by Air Improvement Resource, Inc. showed that Oregon could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 190,000 metric tons annually – the equivalent of removing more than 41,000 vehicles from its roads – by increasing the use of higher blends by switching from E10 gasoline to E15.

“Ethanol is also less expensive than gasoline, with E15 typically saving consumers three to 10 cents per gallon,” said Shields. “By increasing the use of ethanol across the state, this law will also provide significant fuel savings for Oregon drivers.”