According to a report from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, E15 sales in the first quarter totaled 1.52 million gallons. This volume is nearly half the total volume sold in 2015 (3.09 million gallons).

The report states that E15 sales in March reached 507,199 gallons, the fifth consecutive month E15 sales in Minnesota have breached the 500,000 gallon mark.

Compared to the same month last year (172,973 gallons), E15 sales in March 2016 was nearly three times more. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce said sales of other blends of ethanol grew in March. The volume of E30 and E20 in March were at 36,305 gallons and 15,574 gallons respectively - the highest level recorded so far this year.