May 12--South Dakota ethanol organizations have come out strong for E15 -- and are bringing their support to Aberdeen.

Watertown-based Glacial Lakes Energy LLC and Harms Oil are hosting an "E15 Day" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at four Hub City gas stations. Customers, in addition to getting a discount, can sign a petition to try to get the Environmental Protection Agency to change its rules.

The EPA is considering allowing the use of E15 in nonflex fuel vehicles -- any not specifically designed to run on E85, or blends of gasoline and ethanol up to 85 percent. Currently, the EPA supports only a 10 percent ethanol/90 percent gasoline blend fuel for traditional vehicles.

A study from the national ethanol trade group Growth Energy says South Dakota could gain more than 2,500 new jobs and $400 million in economic activity if E15 is approved. Nationwide, the jump to E15 could create 136,000 new jobs and boost the economy by more than $24 billion, according to Growth Energy.

The Sioux Falls-based American Coalition for Ethanol also supports the proposed change. The coalition has declared Friday national "E15 Day," asking ethanol supporters to host rallies. ACE's Web site has an E15 action center and a section that allows people to sign an E15 petition.

ACE Communications Director Kristin Brekke shed some light on the E15 issue and offered the coalition's perspective:

QUESTION: Why is E15 a good idea?

ANSWER: An increase in ethanol usage of 5 percent maybe doesn't seem like much, but it would bring some important benefits.

The ethanol industry will soon be running into the "E10 blend wall" -- the point at which all gallons of gasoline in the U.S. that could contain 10 percent ethanol will contain 10 percent ethanol. Without giving the industry more room to grow, the future marketplace becomes uncertain, and so does the investment needed to make future technologies such as cellulosic ethanol happen. Also, this arbitrary limit on only 10 percent ethanol per gallon is unnecessarily stalling the growth in green energy production that could happen if ethanol is allowed to continue growing.

If E15 is approved, South Dakota's ethanol producers would have a larger market opened up to their product, something that will benefit their bottom line. More ethanol produced and used means more economic activity within the state.