BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie News Service) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to allow gasoline blended with ethanol to be sold year-round.

Many farmers are in a tight financial squeeze and say this rule would boost demand for corn.

Farmers see a fresh crop on the rise with the federal government’s proposal to allow ethanol-blended gasoline to be sold year-round. The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a rule change that would lift the summertime prohibition on use of E15, or gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol.

The ban was put in place because of concerns that the blends contribute to smog, but Mark Watne, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, says those findings are out of date and restrict biofuels. He says this proposal would be good for farmers.

Farmers unions are hoping the rule can be finalized in time for the summer driving season. The ethanol blending ban goes into place on June 1st and lasts through September 15th. Ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy says adopting this rule could increase corn demand by two billion bushels. Some conservation groups have raised concerns about increased carbon pollution from agricultural production of biofuels.

Watne highlights the tight spot farmers are in right now, starting with waivers for ethanol blending given out to oil refineries that have hurt demand.

Comments on the proposal must be submitted to the E-P-A by April 29th. The agency will hold a public meeting on the proposal on March 29th in Michigan.