Ethanol Push Sees Big Delay After E15 Setback, Trade Group Says

Efforts to expand the market for corn-based ethanol likely will be significantly delayed after an attempt to attach a key provision to must-pass legislation failed, according to a major trade group.

Lawmakers had been working to pass a measure allowing year-round sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline as part of the latest government funding package. But the amendment was scrapped on Thursday, in a blow to ethanol producers and large refineries.

“We’ve known for several months now that the appropriations bill would be the best way to get this done in the near term,” Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable ...