(Reuters) -California lawmakers on Wednesday voted to allow the sale of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend that could help bring down fuel prices in the largest U.S. auto market.

The sale of E15, a blend containing 15% ethanol, would be allowed immediately once the bill is signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. California had been the only U.S. state that did not allow sales of the fuel.

The move likely will benefit biofuel producers and corn farmers, as it is will expand the market for their products to the most populous U.S. state.

California’s state Senate passed the bill, AB 30, in a unanimous 39-0 vote. The measure passed the state Assembly in June.

Newsom had directed California regulators last year to study whether the state could increase ethanol blending in gasoline, but that work is n

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