LINCOLN- Lawmakers voted 46-0 on the passage of LB562 which will soon require local gas stations to offer fuel blended with up to 15% ethanol. In earlier rounds of debate, lawmakers had concerns about government overreach, but in the final round, not a single senator spoke. Ethanol makes up the largest percentage of corn usage in Nebraska's agricultural industry. The Nebraska Corn Board believes the state can produce 2 billion gallons of fuel.

State Sen. Myron Dorn said during an earlier round of debate, Nebraska is ranked near the bottom of the nation in ethanol usage, with much of its ethanol being exported to other states. Nebraska ranks second in ethanol production. Dorn, who introduced LB 562, said requiring 15% ethanol fuel to be offered at gas stations will benefit the farmers who produce the fuel.

Many gas stations already use and offer gasoline with up to 10% ethanol, claiming that this new requirement is practically a government mandate. Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings said he did agree that the bill is a mandate — but still supported it as a conservative because it will help Nebraska’s biggest industry and will give drivers more choices at the pump. The bill exempts businesses that would need to spend more than $15,000 to make the changes.

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