Ethanol Action

Ethanol Needs Your Voice

Corn-based ethanol is a low-cost, low-carbon domestic fuel that results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions than regular gasoline, saves drivers money at the pump and adds billions of gallons to our nation’s fuel supply each year.

Every American has a voice in the decisions impacting the fuel they put in their vehicles, the price they pay at the pump, the solutions available to advance America’s clean energy future and other pressing issues. For policymakers to pass meaningful legislation, ethanol advocates must engage and make their voices heard on the issues that impact the domestic production of ethanol.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has the tools to help you effectively participate in the policymaking process and shape legislation surrounding renewable fuels. Through the Ethanol Action Center, you can find who represents you in Congress, learn how to engage with these policymakers, and gather information regarding NCGA’s ethanol priorities and the policies we support.

Make Your Voice Heard

Find out who represents you in Congress by entering your address or zip code into this legislator search tool.

Once you have located your representatives, contact them through emails or letters, messages on social media, phone calls or in-person visits. Reaching members of Congress during key moments is critical. For ethanol priorities and policies, this may include:

The summer driving months when fuel consumption and demand increase.
Moments when gas prices suddenly rise or fluctuate, offering drivers little stability or savings at the pump.
The days, weeks and months leading up to deadlines impacting federal spending and the passage of legislation.
When critical ethanol legislation is being crafted or moving through the political process.

To ensure you're receiving timely alerts on all of NCGA’s calls-to-action related to biofuels policy, text COB to 52886 and be added to our advocacy database.

Ethanol Priorities

Now that you are empowered to take action, learn more about ethanol’s benefits and the legislative and regulatory initiatives currently in play.

The Next Generation Fuels Act is a bipartisan, transformational piece of legislation introduced in both the House and the Senate that would substantially reduce the environmental impact of the nation’s fuel supply by expanding ethanol usage and allowing automakers to significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency through advanced engines. If passed, this legislation would establish a low carbon, high-octane standard for gasoline and require that sources of additional octane result in at least 40% fewer emissions—harnessing the full power of ethanol and supporting the auto industry’s pursuit of a net-zero-carbon future.

So, why do we need this legislation? Simply put, the Next Generation Fuels Act would:

Drive demand and provide stability to the market: This legislation, once fully implemented, increases annual ethanol usage by more than 5 billion gallons, which is equal to 1.8 billion bushels of new corn demand every year.

Save consumers money at the pump: Since 2023, ethanol has been priced up to $1 less per gallon than unblended gasoline at the wholesale level.

Further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality: Environmental modeling by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Energy Resources Center shows that the Next Generation Fuels Act will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion metric tons, saving $86 billion in monetized damages by 2040.

Address energy security challenges: In 2022, more than 600 million barrels of crude oil (on an energy-equivalent basis) were displaced by corn-based, locally grown and processed ethanol.

Increase fuel efficiency by 5 to 7%.

Create jobs: In 2022, the ethanol industry contributed $34.8 billion to household income, contributed $57 billion to gross domestic product, created more than 78,000 direct jobs and more than 342,000 indirect/induced jobs.

Support rural economies. If electric vehicles replace gas-powered vehicles in our transportation sector, then as much as 32% of farmland value could be lost because the price of corn would likely decrease. If the price of corn does decrease, rural businesses and local schools that rely on a viable agricultural sector and funding from property taxes would be negatively impacted.

Remove regulatory barriers to allow for higher ethanol blends.

Provide consumers options at the pump and the car dealership: According to data from Cox Automotive, parent of Kelley Blue Book, the average price for electric cars was $53,469 in July 2023, compared to gas-powered vehicles at $48,334.

Click here to download social media posts and talking points to utilize in your advocacy efforts.