Illinois becomes 1 of 8 states approved to sell higher blends of ethanol [Video]

PEORIA COUNTY (25News Now) -The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the sales of higher blends of ethanol (E15).

It’s made from corn crops, which is a huge contribution to the agriculture industry in Central Illinois.

Farmer Ross Pauli from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board says ethanol is better for the environment because it burns cleaner compared to regular gas.

“Ethanol is good because we’ll be less dependent on oil. It pollutes while ethanol burns cleaner, and it can be a substitute as part of the fuel,” said Pauli.

He also says this move should be made nationwide because E15 will make gas cheaper.

Farmer Michael Shane in Dunlap says many of his colleagues took a financial hit each summer from the ethanol ban, which was removed this summer.

“It should increase the demand for our corn and hopefully raise the prices a bit. Currently, our prices are very depressed. They go down daily and now we’re projected to lose money for 2024,” said Shane.

Pauli says the top …