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US Ethanol Stakeholders Should Focus Demand Expansion into Maritime Shipping, SAF, Skor Says

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The US ethanol industry should leverage its 2026 policy wins to expand the E15 retail footprint, grow exports, and build demand for ethanol across new sectors such as maritime shipping and sustainable aviation fuel, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said Wednesday.

Skor made the remarks while addressing industry stakeholders at the annual Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis.

She said that a bill to permanently allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 had passed the House on a strong, bipartisan vote, and that the industry should remain active to secure passage in the Senate.

"The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, John Boozman, recently said that he believes it has enough support to pass the Senate. But floor time in the Senate is a scarce resource," Skor said.

In 2026, summer waivers for retailers to sell E15 were secured, the largest-ever renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard were locked in, and the 45Z tax credit was passed.

Additionally, Skor noted in her speech that E15 is finally legal in all 50 states.

"We now have two state standards, including Iowa's E15 access standard that took effect in January. States are continuing to invest in infrastructure grants, with millions more dollars going out the door in Iowa and Minnesota. Also, three new states have created E15 tax incentives in just the last two years," Skor said.

Skor said that now is the time for the industry to expand into air travel, maritime shipping, and heavy equipment engines.

Currently, marine fuel is an 85-billion-gallon global market. By 2030, over 1,000 seagoing vessels will be ethanol capable.

"That alone will represent 6.4 billion gallons of potential ethanol demand," Skor said.

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