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Ethanol boosters say E30 and marketing to youth point the way for corn fuel’s future

By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025

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SIOUX FALLS — The ethanol industry won’t tell you to fill your vehicle with illegal fuel, but thanks to a long-term study of fleet vehicles in Nebraska, it now says your vehicle would be fine if you did.

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Ethanol 2.jpg — Ben Rhodes of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, left, hands a microphone to Amanda Bechen of South Dakota Corn at the American Ethanol Coalition’s annual conference on Aug. 22, 2025, in Sioux Falls.
South Dakota Searchlight photo by John Hult

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Ethanol 1.jpg — Fuel options at a central Sioux Falls gas station, as seen on Aug. 22, 2025.
South Dakota Searchlight photo by John Hult

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Ethanol 3.jpg — Stickers reading “I went low,” produced as part of a marketing campaign for E15 ethanol.
South Dakota Searchlight photo by John Hult

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South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com.