by Zack Budryk | The HILL | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will proceed with Biden-era plans to allow the year-round sale of higher-ethanol E15 fuel, a longtime ask of midwestern lawmakers and the biofuels industry.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency would maintain the agreed-upon date of April 28 to make the fuel available in eight states. The governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin had requested waivers to sell the fuel throughout the year rather than only the high-demand summer months. The governors had pushed for year-round E15 going back to 2022, when gas prices and energy prices in general spiked after Russia invaded Ukraine. Iowa and Nebraska sued to compel the agency to offer the fuel year-round in 2023.
“Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners,” Zeldin said in a statement. “Our approach provides certainty for states that are ready to move forward with year-round E15 while accommodating those that requested additional time. We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure available and affordable fuel supply.”
The Biden administration first announced last February that the fuel would be available year round starting this year, first proposing it in 2023.
The announcement marks a rare moment of continuity between the Biden and Trump EPA, the latter of which has both begun the process of winding back several Biden-era environmental rules and signaled it will not disburse some Inflation Reduction Act funds.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the primary trade group for the ethanol industry, praised the announcement but called for Congress to pass legislation allowing for the year-round sale.
“While the legislative solution is strongly preferred by all, we were also encouraged to see EPA is considering issuing emergency waivers to allow the uninterrupted sale of E15 nationwide this summer if Congress fails to act. Let’s hope that won’t be necessary,” RFA President Geoff Cooper said in a statement.
What is E15, higher ethanol gasoline?
Higher-ethanol gasoline, commonly known as E15, is a fuel blend consisting of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. It was introduced to provide an eco-friendlier alternative to the more common E10 blend, which contains 10% ethanol. The primary benefit of E15 is its potential to reduce environmental pollution: ethanol is a renewable biofuel made from plant materials, and it burns cleaner than pure gasoline, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Additionally, E15 can offer economic advantages as it generally costs less than pure gasoline. It also supports agricultural industries and local economies involved in ethanol production. However, it’s important to note that not all vehicles are optimized for E15, and its usage is recommended primarily for cars manufactured after 2001 according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
