EPA approves E15 year-round expansion

WASHINGTON — The summertime ban on gasoline blended with 15% ethanol has been lifted in eight Midwest states, effective in April 2025.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made the ruling in response to an April 2022 request by eight Midwest governors to make E15 available year-round.

Governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin joined in the request that would allow retailers and marketers in these eight states to sell E15 unencumbered in 2023 and beyond. EPA made the move effective next year.

EPA has restricted sales of E15 gasoline in the summer months due to environmental concerns over smog.

The use of E15 was approved by EPA in 2011 for all 2001 and newer vehicles, accounting for more than 96% of vehicles on the road today.

“This news is great for all Illinoisans,” said Dave Rylander, Illinois Corn Growers Association president and Victoria area farmer.

“Farmers will benefit from this option at the pump that boosts ethanol use, and everyone will benefit from cheaper fuel. Consumers deserve a choice at the pump and a higher blend of ethanol will be a great choice this summer.

“This announcement was a long time coming, and while we are grateful for the administration’s support of higher ethanol blends, it’s disappointing that the waiver won’t be effective until 2025, forcing these states to sit and wait longer for a temporary 2024 fix.”

“The ethanol industry in Illinois applauds Gov. Pritzker for his leadership in joining with other Midwest governors to petition the EPA for year-round E15. With this new rule, beginning in 2025, Illinoisans will now have year-round access to blends of gasoline with 15% ethanol across the state,” said Dustin Marquis, Illinois Renewable Fuels Association president and government relations director for Marquis Energy in Hennepin.

“E15 has long been a product in the marketplace that saves consumers money and lowers carbon emissions from our transportation sector, all thanks to homegrown biofuels.”

Double-Edged

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper called EPA’s move a “double-edged sword” for American consumers.

“While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the agency’s needless decision to delay implementation until 2025,” he said. “It’s helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer?

“The Biden administration missed its statutory deadline to finalize the governors’ petition by more than 500 days, and now it claims there just isn’t enough time to implement the rule in time for summer 2024.

“Why should ethanol producers, farmers, fuel retailers and consumers in these states be penalized for EPA’s foot-dragging and failure to meet a clear deadline?

“With the 2024 summer driving season just a few months away, we are urging the administration to take additional action that will ensure consumers have uninterrupted access to lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 this summer.”

Cooper also said RFA is urging Congress to adopt legislation that would resolve this issue permanently.

“If Congress passed the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, we wouldn’t be in this situation,” he said.

“But a couple of stubborn East Coast refiners and their champions in the Senate continue to put up roadblocks to enactment of this commonsense legislation that would slash emissions and reduce fuel prices for consumers. It’s time to lay aside parochial oil refiner interests and do what is right for the country.”