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Suspending Big Oil from their biofuel blending obligations as proposed by Stephen Moore ("Three easy ways to reduce pain at the pump," Oct. 1) would not bring down fuel prices. Instead, it would increase prices at the pump and further pad the pockets of refiners that are making record profits as families struggle. Ethanol is the lowest-priced source of octane available. A 2025 report by a petroleum refining expert found that, if ethanol was removed from the U.S. gasoline pool, replacing its current octane contribution with refinery octane would increase refining cost and the wholesale cost of gasoline by $0.39 per gallon.
Moreover, ethanol's price discount to wholesale gasoline averages over $1 a gallon. With most gasoline in the United States containing 10 percent ethanol, an analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association showed drivers saved an average of $0.14 per gallon in May because of that ethanol content.
Policymakers should be creating new opportunities for biofuel blends like E15, which contains 15 percent ethanol (often marketed as Unleaded 88). Approved for cars, trucks, and SUVs 2001 and newer, E15 offers demonstrative savings at the pump. In 2024, Minnesotans saved $24.7 million by choosing E15, according to an analysis commissioned by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. In fact, just in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Minnesotans have saved $10.46 million with E15.
I urge policymakers to consider constructive solutions to the gas price crunch that expands -- not reduces -- access to homegrown fuel solutions.
John Luepke
Courtland
-- John Luepke is a Courtland member of the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company Board of Directors