California Bill Aims to Expedite Availability of E15

April 24, 2025

Print This Article Share it With Friends

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bill currently pending in the California legislature would authorize the use of E15 within the state until state agencies complete the required evaluation process for the fuel blend and issue a decision.

The legislation, AB 30, was first introduced in December 2024. The bill passed out of the Committee on Natural Resources by a vote of 12 to zero on March 25 and was later referred to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

California is the only U.S. state that has failed to approve the use of E15. Under a state law implemented in 1999, any regulatory change to California’s gasoline blend requires a multimedia evaluation and approval by the California Environmental Policy Council—an intensive process unique to California.

The multimedia evaluations are conducted by a working group and typically take 2-5 years to complete. They are performed based on a three-tier structure. CARB began the process of a multimedia evaluation for E15 in 2018. A Tier III report, the multimedia risk assessment final report, was circulated to relevant agencies in late 2022, but little progress has been made since that time. As of late 2024, CARB estimated at least another year could be required to complete the multimedia evaluation process.

California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom took action last year to try to expedite the availability of E15. The California Assembly in October 2024 unanimously approved a bill that aimed to require CARB to complete its multimedia evaluation of E15 by July 1, 2025. The state Senate, however, failed to take action on the bill. After the E15 bill failed, Newsom directed CARB to accelerate efforts to approve E15 sales.

AB 30 was introduced in December 2024 and has been amended twice. The current version of the legislation would allow for the sale of blends of gasoline containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol by volume in the state for use as transportation fuel until CEPC completes its review and publicly posts the findings of its multimedia review of E15 as required by existing law, and CARB either adopts a regulation establishing a specification for E15 or posts an assessment on its website demonstrating that it is not possible for a proposed regulation establishing a specification for E15.

As currently written, the bill would take immediate effect once signed into law to help lower the price of gasoline in California.

Additional information is available on the California legislature website. READ MORE

Related articles

Cost-Conscious California Democrats Spur Higher Gas Ethanol Cap (Bloomberg Government)
Problem Solvers' Gas Affordability Bill Passes Assembly (Problem Solvers Caucus)
Calif. E15 Bill Passes Unanimously -- California Assembly Passes E15 Bill as 'Urgency' Awaits Action by State Senate (DTN Progressive Farmer)
California Aassembly unanimously passes E15 bill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)
What proposed California laws are moving forward this year? (KCRA; includes VIDEO)
CARB: Newsom Sells-Out California for Iowa 2028 (California Globe)
California Bill Permitting Gasoline Blend With More Ethanol Passes Assembly -- The bill author says it’s time to consider not just environmental but also economic effects of the E15 ethanol blend. (Epoch Times)

Excerpt from Bloomberg Government:

Bill would make state last in US to allow E15 gas sale
Gov. Newsom has urged faster study of fuel blend

California Democrats are backing an Assembly bill that would allow a higher percentage of ethanol in gasoline sold in the state.

The state Assembly on Wednesday is likely to pass the legislation (AB 30) allowing gas stations to sell E15 gasoline, which contains up to 15% ethanol. It would then head to the state Senate, where a similar measure stalled last year.

The legislation is the latest bid by California Democrats to grapple with the state’s high cost-of-living, despite the opposition of some environmental group allies who are concerned about potentially increased smog during the summer months. Some ... READ MORE

Excerpt from Problem Solvers Caucus: Today (June 4, 2025), the California Problem Solvers Caucus announced that its bill to legalize the cost-saving E15 fuel blend (AB 30, Alvarez + Flora) has been passed by the State Assembly.

“For too long, the California Air Resources Board has delayed action on E15 fuel—despite its proven track record across the country. This unnecessary regulatory holdup has prevented consumers from accessing a cleaner, more affordable fuel option,” said Assemblymember David Alvarez, a Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair. “AB 30 sends a clear message: Californians cannot afford to wait while bureaucracy stalls progress. It’s time CARB considers not just environmental impacts, but the economic benefits to everyday consumers who are struggling with high fuel prices. I am grateful to the Problem Solvers Caucus for prioritizing this commonsense solution.”

“Affordability is at the top of every voter's mind, and the Problem Solvers Caucus is giving that issue the serious attention it deserves," said Assemblymember Heath Flora, a Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair. "My constituents - and most people in the Central Valley - drive long distances every day, paying upwards of $5 for a gallon of gas. AB 30 will have an immediate impact on gas prices and provide much-needed relief."

AB 30 would legalize the E15 blend immediately while CARB finalizes its rule making process - a process that started in 2018. California is the only state in the country that has not yet authorized the sale of E15, a fuel blend that independent studies show could save California drivers $2.7 billion each year.

AB 30 is coauthored by:

Assemblymember Alanis
Assemblymember Ávila Farías
Assemblymember Carillo
Assemblymember Davies
Assemblymember Dixon
Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez
Assemblymember Hoover
Assemblymember Lackey
Assemblymember Pacheco
Assemblymember Papan
Assemblymember Patel
Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez
Assemblymember Schiavo
Assemblymember Solache
Assemblymember Soria
Assemblymember Wallis
Senator Valladares
Senator Alvarado-Gil

Governor Gavin Newsom proposed giving CARB $2.3 million in his May budget proposal in order to help the board finalize its E15 rule making process.

A study conducted by UC Berkeley and the US Naval Academy estimated that adopting this fuel blend would reduce the cost of gasoline by 20 cents per gallon, saving California drivers $2.7 billion each year.

Another study by the University of California at Riverside found that the E15 fuel blend would lower particulate emissions - making the fuel blend both cheaper and more environmentally sound.

Finalizing this cost-effective fuel blend has been a priority of the bipartisan and bicameral caucus since the 2023-2024 legislative session.

The California Problems Solvers Caucus was established in 2020, and seeks to find solutions reached through collaboration, not division; mutual respect, not partisan bickering; and will work in service to the people of California. The caucus is made up of both Assemblymembers and Senators, Democrat and Republican.

Problem Solvers are principled, pragmatic and committed to putting people over party. Learn more at www.caproblemsolversfoundation.com. READ MORE

Excerpt from DTN Progressive Farmer: Assembly Bill 30 is tabbed as a so-called "urgency statute" and passed 77-0 in the state assembly. It now heads to the state senate where it will need a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

If the senate passes the bill and it is signed by the governor, it will take effect immediately rather than on the standard Jan. 1 in California.

California is the only state that doesn't allow E15 sales. The legislation is likely to have support from outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In October 2024, Newsom directed the California Air Resources Board to take immediate steps toward allowing E15 sales.

At the time, Newsom said in a letter to CARB Chairman Liane Randolph that, "Given the potential for allowing E15 gasoline to increase fuel supply and reduce gasoline prices, with little to no environmental harm, it is prudent for CARB to prioritize resources that would allow for the expeditious completion of this process."

In July 2024, the University of California, Berkeley, and the U.S. Naval Academy released a study that found state consumers could save up to $2.7 billion annually if E15 was made available.

That study found California drivers could save about 20 cents per gallon on E15. READ MORE

Excerpt from Ethanol Producer Magazine: AB 30 was introduced in December 2024 and has been amended twice. The current version of the legislation would allow for the sale of blends of gasoline containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol by volume in the state for use as transportation fuel until CEPC completes its review and publicly posts the findings of its multimedia review of E15 as required by existing law, and CARB either adopts a regulation establishing a specification for E15 or posts an assessment on its website demonstrating that it is not possible for a proposed regulation establishing a specification for E15.

Additional information on the bill is available on the California legislature website. READ MORE

Excerpt from KCRA: California lawmakers moved forward with hundreds of proposed new laws this week as they faced a major deadline that marks the halfway point in the state's legislative process.

The "House of Origin" deadline is Friday, but lawmakers wrapped up the work Thursday night. The deadline means bills written in the Assembly needed to pass the Assembly, and bills written in the State Senate needed to clear the State Senate in order for the proposals to stay alive for the year.

For the next three months, the Senate will consider the Assembly's bills and vice versa until the final night of the legislative year on Sept. 12. Then, if passed, it will be up to the governor to decide which bills become law.

...

Energy and Environment

AB 30 – Legalizes the sale of an alternative gasoline fuel blend known as E-15, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol. Lawmakers have noted that E-15 could help California with its gasoline supply and prices issue.

AB 66- Would exempt wildfire prevention and forest management projects from the California Environmental Quality Act.

AB 687 - Streamlines the environmental review process when public agencies want to manage their own lands. READ MORE

Excerpt from California Globe: It’s not about the environment or what is best for Californians. It’s about pandering to King Corn and the Iowa Caucus in 2028.

On Monday, the Democrat supermajority in the Assembly voted against Republican led Assembly Bill 12, which would have overturned the California Air Resources Board’s new “Low Carbon Fuel Standards,” passed one day after the election last November to avoid accountability with voters. The State Senate voted against its counterpart, Senate Bill 2, in March and again on Wednesday. The new policy is currently scheduled for July 1. READ MORE

At the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, CARB’s new fuel standard will increase ethanol in gasoline from E10 (10%) to E15 (15%) and E85 (85%). READ MORE