The summer season is a critical time for Delaware’s economy. Millions of locals and out-of-state visitors will flock to Rehoboth Beach and other tourist destinations, creating billions of dollars in local economic activity. The season supports thousands of small businesses and jobs, with the tourism sector being the fourth largest employer in 2021.
Many of the visitors who support our economy come here from nearby states like New York and Pennsylvania. Like most drivers, the price of gas plays a key role in their decision whether or not to take a road trip to our state and spend their money here. Everyone knows how expensive gasoline can be, but not everyone is aware that E15 fuel is about 25 cents cheaper per gallon than E10 fuel, the most common type of fuel that drivers use to fill up.
E15 refers to the amount of ethanol in the gas. E15 contains 15% ethanol, while E10 contains 10%. They are very similar, but outdated federal regulations currently prohibit the sale of E15 in many parts of the country during the summer months, including Delaware. Millions of drivers are losing access to a cheaper gasoline option when they need it most, and this could deter many tourists from making the road trip to our state. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency often issues a waiver allowing sales of E15 during the summer, but these decisions are unpredictable and make it more difficult for cheaper E15 to be widely available.
While there is bipartisan support in Congress to lift E15 fuel restrictions and lower gas prices for Americans year-round, it appears this legislation has stalled in the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Fortunately, one of Delaware’s U.S. Senators and Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Sen. Tom Karpercan lead the way in lifting restrictions on E15 fuel.
Carper’s support for E15 would not only help our economy by making gas cheaper, it would also support corn farmers in our state who benefit from a robust market for corn-based ethanol. Corn is Delaware’s most important crop by production value, and it is in our state’s economic interest to support the corn market.
Not only that, but cheaper E15 gas also plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change by using less traditional fossil fuels. Instead of drilling for fossil fuels like natural gas and crude oil, we can use more corn-based ethanol to fuel our cars as we transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles. As a leader in the fight against climate change, I know Carper is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in every way possible. Allowing drivers to use less fossil fuels is an important tool he can help us take advantage of now.
As we enter the summer season and local businesses prepare for an influx of visitors, it is important for us to recognize that we can do more to unlock our full economic potential. We can make it easier for families to come to our state, visit the coast and spend their money here. We can also support Delaware farmers who contribute so much to our state’s economy. Allowing year-round sales of E15 gas is a common sense step that Congress can act on now, and I hope Carper will help make that possible for our state.
Franklin Cooke Jr. is a Democratic member of the Delaware House of Representatives representing District 16.
This article originally appeared in Delaware News Journal: Cheaper fuel could be a win for Delaware’s economy
