Ethanol production in the United States set a record of 15.33 billion gallons in 2016, according to new data released by the Energy Information Admin­istration (EIA). The EIA data also show that the average gallon of gasoline likely contained slightly more than 10 percent ethanol in 2016.

Total ethanol production in 2016 was up 3.5 percent from the previous high of 14.81 billion gallons in 2015.

"Driven by the Renewable Fuel Standard and attractive blending economics, domestic refiners and blenders used more ethanol than ever before," said Bob Dinneen, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. "In the end, 2016 will forever be remembered as the...