Ahead of Summer Driving Season, EPA Allows Expanded E15 Access to Midwest States Year-Round

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the agency’s decision to uphold the current April 28, 2025, implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 in Midwestern states. This action, requested by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, provides regulatory certainty for fuel suppliers and expands consumer access to E15 year-round in these states.

“Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “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.”

At the same time, in recognition of concerns raised by some regarding fuel supply transitions, EPA intends to consider granting requests for a one-year delay for those states seeking additional time for compliance. Such a request has already been made by the State of Ohio. EPA strongly urges any state requesting a one-year delay to inform the agency in writing no later than Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

EPA intends to consider any additional states’ request submitted by February 26 and aims to provide refiners and fuel suppliers with the final opportunity to make necessary adjustments to ensure the long-term success of year-round E15.

A legislative solution before the summer driving season to allow for the permanent, year-round sale of E15 nationwide is an option being negotiated in Congress. In the absence of congressional action, EPA is still considering issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15. EPA is closely monitoring fuel market conditions and considering potential emergency fuel waivers under the Clean Air Act to prevent supply disruptions and protect consumers from price volatility READ MORE

Excerpt from Renewable Fuels Association: Late on Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would uphold the current April 28, 2025, implementation date for allowing E15 year-round in several Midwestern states. The EPA announcement also noted that important negotiations on a legislative solution permanently allowing year-round E15 nationwide are ongoing in Congress. In response to the news, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper made the following statement:

“America’s ethanol producers and farmers are grateful to the Midwest governors who took the initiative to create a year-round market for E15 in their states, and it is reassuring that EPA intends to adhere to the law and follow through with implementation. As a nationwide solution has so far remained elusive, we applaud both the governors and EPA Administrator Zeldin for standing firm on this approach.

At the same time, Ohio’s request to pull its E15 petition is a troubling sign that underscores the urgency of securing a federal legislative solution as soon as possible. A state-by-state approach would not be necessary if Congress passed the nationwide, year-round E15 legislation recently introduced in both the House and Senate. The bipartisan E15 bills have broad political and stakeholder support and accomplish President Trump’s goal of removing regulatory red tape and opening new markets for America’s farmers and the energy sector.

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 encourages supporters of year-round access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15 to sign on to this letter announced last week by the National Corn Growers Association at RFA’s National Ethanol Conference. READ MORE

Excerpt from DTN Progressive Farmer: In January 2025, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine asked the agency to delay the E15 implementation by one year citing concerns from petroleum industry interests in the state.

Petroleum interests have asked for delays in implementing year-round E15 in the states because of concerns about meeting supply needs in those states.

Fuel retailers in those states would be required to produce two new fuel types -- regular and premium. Because gasoline distribution systems are connected across the country, the changes in the eight states are expected to affect fuel quality and supply across the country.

The new EPA rule allows states to use the same volatility limitation for both E15 and E10 -- essentially putting E10 and E15 on the same footing.

Just last week legislation was introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to make E15 sales permanent year-round across the country.

Excerpt from Energy.AgWired.com: There was a lot of focus on E15 at last week’s National Ethanol Conference. Troy Bredenkamp, RFA Government & Public Affairs, says year-round access to E15 nationwide is the ethanol industry’s number one priority. “Once we get E15 over the hump, I think then we can really start talking about things other than fixing a technical correction that should have been done 15 years ago,” said Bredenkamp. “I think we’re going to see some pretty positive statements coming out of the Trump administration White House here in the next week or so that will indicate to Congress that he wants this issue done resolved once and for all.” READ MORE; includes AUDIO

Excerpt from Inside EPA: An unusual alliance of biofuels groups and a major oil sector association is pressing EPA to adopt “robust” biofuel blending volumes under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) for 2026 and beyond, extending a nascent truce between erstwhile liquid fuels competitors as prospects for year-round sales of 15 percent ethanol fuel (E15) appear to rise. In a Feb. 19 letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, major biofuels groups are joined by the American Petroleum Institute (API), as well as truck stop... READ MORE