Ohio House Approves Bill Creating E15, E85 Sales Tax Credit

On November 17, the Ohio House of Representatives voted 89 to zero in favor of a bill that seeks to offer qualifying fuel retailers a 5-cent-per-gallon tax credit for sales of fuel containing between 15 and 85 percent ethanol.

The bill, HB 165, would cap the total amount of the tax credit at $ 10 million and make the credit available for four years after the bill is enacted.

The legislation was introduced by Ohio Rep. Riordan T. McClain in March. The bill was reported to the House Ways and Means Committee in June. To date, 35 Ohio lawmakers have signed the law as a cosponsor. In a statement introducing the bill, McClain said the tax credit is intended to help cover costs associated with converting or installing pumps approved by the US EPA to administer E15.

The Ohio Ways and Means Committee has considered the bill in several hearings this year. The Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, Ohio Ethanol Producers Association, American Freedom Energy, Sheetz, Ohio State Grange, Ohio Soybean Association, Growth Energy, POET LLC, United Dairy Farmers and Guardian Energy were among the groups that testified in favor of the tax credit.

Growth Energy issued a statement applauding the passage of the bill. “This important bill will give more drivers a chance to take advantage of local plant-based fuel options that unlock savings at the pump while reducing emissions, ”Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Ethanol producers and farmers in Ohio play a critical role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, and we applaud Representative McClain and his colleagues for taking steps to make higher blends more readily available. Sold statewide, E15 could increase Ohio’s economy of $ 650 million and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 746,000 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 163,000 vehicles from the roads of Ohio. This is the kind of progress we need to help family farmers, boost our rural economies, and meet our climate goals. We urge the leadership of the Ohio Senate to act quickly and send HB 165 to the governor’s office. “

Additional information is available on the Ohio Legislature website.