Ahead of the Summer Driving Season, EPA Allows for Nationwide Year-Round E15

(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA takes action to provide consumers relief at the pump by helping ensure an adequate fuel supply ahead of the upcoming summer driving season -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is issuing an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 gasoline — gasoline blended with 15% ethanol — nationwide during the summer driving season. By doing so, EPA will keep E15 on the market giving consumers more options across the nation. This is consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, directing the EPA to consider issuing emergency waivers to allow for year-round E15 sales.

“President Trump’s commitment to farmers and the Renewable Fuels Standard has been a cornerstone to his leadership. In my confirmation hearing, I pledged to establish certainty when it came to the sale of E15 year-round. Promises made, promises kept,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

“President Trump is committed to lowering energy prices by unleashing American energy production, and it all starts with U.S. farmers. This move to allow the summer sale of E-15 will provide immediate relief to consumers, provide more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America. Our nation’s great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence which is essential to national security,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “I thank Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to implement this emergency fuel waiver and his continued commitment to U.S. famers and the U.S. biofuels industry. At USDA we look forward to our continued partnership with EPA and are working diligently to increase our energy dominance in the U.S. and abroad by expanding market access for American biofuels on the world stage.”

This emergency action will provide families with relief at the pump by increasing fuel supply and ensuring a variety of gasoline fuel blends from which consumers can choose. More options at the pump helps protect consumers by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, and bolstering U.S. energy independence, all while supporting American agriculture and manufacturing.

The Clean Air Act allows the EPA Administrator, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. As a result of ongoing issues with gasoline supplies, Administrator Zeldin determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available.

Currently, in about half of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. EPA is providing relief by extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for E15 gasoline. In response to requests from the Governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, EPA, in this same action, is also taking action to address the States’ concerns about E10 fuel standards in those states. Specifically, the agency has also waived provisions that would have otherwise made E10 gasoline sold in those states meet a more stringent standard than conventional gasoline in other parts of the country. EPA’s action for these states means E15 and E10 are sold across the region on equal footing, helping ensure adequate gasoline supplies to consumers across the country. The agency expects retail stations in those States to pass cost savings to consumers at the pump because of these waivers.

EPA’s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in the affected regions of the country and will initially remain in place through May 20, the maximum number of days allowed under the Clean Air Act. EPA will continue to monitor the supply with industry and federal partners. The agency expects to issue new waivers effectively extending the emergency fuel waiver until such time as the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances are no longer present.

Today’s actions advance Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 of Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative: Restore American Energy Dominance, and Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership. This initiative will guide EPA’s work over the first 100 days and beyond to achieve the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment while energizing the greatness of the American economy.

Excerpt from Growth Energy: “We’re grateful to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to lift a needless barrier standing between the American people and lower-cost E15,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This outcome is also thanks to USDA Secretary Rollins’ support for year-round E15 and homegrown fuels, and the governors, senators, and representatives in both parties whose advocacy for American drivers and farmers helped make this happen.”

“EPA’s decision is a step toward greater American energy dominance. This will put more American fuel in the marketplace, allow Americans to spend less of their hard earned money at the pump this summer, give fuel retailers the clarity and certainty they need and protect a critical market for American farmers,” Skor continued. “With a temporary waiver in place, our bipartisan champions in Congress and the White House can focus on passing permanent legislation that provides unrestricted access to E15 – all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.”

E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 4,100 gas stations in 33 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer, with access to E15, drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with this fuel option compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump. 

Nationwide access to E15 would save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American families, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. GDP. Learn more about E15 and the emergency waiver here.  READ MORE

Excerpt from Renewable Fuels Association: While today’s EPA announcement is good news for American families, (Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff) Cooper pointed out that a permanent legislative solution allowing year-round E15 is still needed. “For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs long-term certainty,” he said. “It’s time for Congress to pass legislation—like the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act—that would deliver permanent year-round access for E15 and finally break the cycle of ad hoc, stop-gap emergency waivers.” READ MORE