Rep. Jesse Vanderwende is a Republican serving Bridgeville.
In Delaware, every summer is a major fiscal opportunity, thanks to our incredibly strong tourism draw, which amounts to approximately $4.5 billion in economic activity each year and creates jobs for more than 50,000 residents. Year after year, 10 million or more tourists come to our state to visit our pristine beaches, our beautiful state parks and more, and they share one important thing in common: Almost every one of those 10 million comes to Delaware by car.
With the majority of our tourists driving south from the tri-state area or north from Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia, the price of gas is critical for Delaware’s tourism economy, and we’ve seen clearly that, when gas prices increase, fewer visitors come to stay in Delaware hotels, visit Delaware bars and restaurants, and take advantage of our famous tax-free shopping.
Unfortunately, a misguided federal law artificially keeps gas prices higher than they need to be, threatening Delaware’s tourism economy and other critical industries throughout the state. A little-known, obscure section of the Clean Air Act prohibits sales of E15 gasoline, a renewable fuel made up of 85% petroleum and 15% ethanol, during the summer months, the absolute peak of our tourism season.
E15 gasoline is made up of 85% petroleum and 15% ethanol, a product derived from corn crops that, when blended with petroleum, makes a cleaner and cheaper fuel. E15 is also around 25 cents per gallon cheaper than E10, the fuel made up of 10% ethanol that most Americans use today. Often, though, E15 can be upwards of $1 cheaper per gallon, which can be the difference between a potential out-of-state visitor deciding whether to make the road trip to Delaware or staying home.
Cost isn’t the only benefit of E15 gas, though. The truth is that E15 is a renewable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by upwards of 40% and actually improves air quality.
Delaware’s agricultural and farming communities also strongly support year-round sales of E15. In fact, Delaware Farm Bureau president William Powers recently argued forcefully for a change in this outdated policy.
It’s not only certain industries that would benefit, though. Without tourism, each Delaware household would pay an additional $1,764 in taxes each year, according to the Delaware Tourism Office, so year-round E15 sales also directly help keep Delaware families’ tax bills significantly lower.
This year, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a waiver to allow summer E15 sales, but the annual uncertainty over whether sales can take place hurts Delaware’s economy in multiple ways.
Luckily, there’s rare, bipartisan support in Congress to fix this problem for good, and the impact for Delaware would be enormous. Year-round E15 sales would protect our tourism economy, keep gas prices lower, support our critical agricultural industry and protect the environment all at once.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who has long championed our state’s agricultural and tourism industries, while also prioritizing environmental protections and everyday economic issues for Delaware families, is ideally positioned to fix this problem.
Sen. Carper can continue building his proud legacy of reaching bipartisan solutions by partnering with senators on both sides of the aisle to allow permanent, year-round sales of E15 fuel. Ahead of his retirement in January 2025, it would be a fitting addition to his long track record of legislative accomplishments on behalf of our great state.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
