The U.S. EPA on April 19 issued an emergency waiver allowing E15 to continue to be sold during the summer 2024 driving season. The action aims to provide relief from ongoing supply issues created by the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East by increasing the fuel supply and offering customers a wider variety of gasoline fuel blends.&nbsp;The EPA also said the waiver will help consumers protect themselves against supply shocks by reducing U.S. reliance on imported fossil fuels and continuing to bolster U.S. energy independence while also supporting American agriculture and manufacturing. The agency estimates that E15 is currently about 25-cents-per-gallon cheaper than E10.“Under President Biden’s leadership, EPA is taking action to protect Americans from fuel supply challenges resulting from ongoing conflict overseas by ensuring consumers have more choices at the pump,”&nbsp;said EPA Administrator&nbsp;Michael S. Regan. “Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will increase fuel supply, while supporting American farmers, strengthening our nation’s energy security, and providing relief to drivers across the country.”The EPA, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy, is given authority to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages under the Clean Air Act. The two agencies completed the required evaluations and determined that granting the E15 waiver is in the public interest, citing ongoing issues with gasoline supplies and unusual fuel supply circumstances.&nbsp;Current regulations prevent E15 from being sold at terminals starting May 1 and retail stations starting June 1 in approximately two-thirds of the country. The waiver extends the 1-psi waiver that already applies to E10 in these markets to E15. E15 can already be sold year-round in parts of the country that have a Reformulated Gasoline program. California is currently the only state that doesn’t allow E15 fuel.Starting with the 2025 summer driving season, E15 can also be sold year-round in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/epa-finalizes-midwest-e15-rule-delays-implementation-to-2025">as a result of a final rule issued by the EPA earlier this year</a> at the request of those state governments.&nbsp;The EPA does not expect continued E15 availability to have any impact on air quality, noting its research has shown no significant impact on evaporative emissions when the 1-psi waiver is expected to E15. The initial waiver issued by the agency will go into effect on May 1 and last through May 20, which is the statutory maximum of 20 days. The agency said it will continue to monitor gasoline supply issues and expects to issue additional waivers effectively extending the emergency fuel waiver until such time as the extreme and unusual supply circumstances due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East are no longer present.&nbsp;The EPA issued similar emergency waivers that allowed E15 to be sold throughout both the summer 2022 and summer 2023 driving seasons. E15 fuel was also previously available year-round without the use of emergency waivers.&nbsp;The fuel blend has been available for use in many non-flex fuel vehicles for more than a decade. The EPA&nbsp;<a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/7041/epa-grants-partial-approval-for-e15-use">first granted a partial waiver</a>&nbsp;allowing E15 to be used in model year (MY) 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles in 2010. The agency&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/7435/epa-approves-e15-for-model-year-2001-06-cars-and-light-truck">expanded that waiver</a>&nbsp;to include MY 2001 and newer vehicles the following year. At that time, however, E15 could not be sold in most markets during the summer driving season, from June 1 through Sept. 15. A&nbsp;<a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/16250/epa-finalizes-e15-rule-steps-back-approach-to-rin-market-reform">June 2019 rulemaking</a>&nbsp;changed that, extending the 1-psi RVP waiver to E15 and allowing the fuel to be sold year-round. The EPA’s rule was challenged by oil groups and in June 2021 the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/18381/ethanol-industry-vows-to-fight-courtundefineds-reversal-of-e15-rule?_gl=1*t8km90*_ga*MTEzNTg1NzIyLjE3MDgzNzkwMzE.*_ga_6H7GT048SZ*MTcxMzU1NDU3My4xNjAuMS4xNzEzNTU1NDU2LjAuMC4w">D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the portion of the June 2019 rule related to E15</a>, overturning the ability of most fuel retailers to sell E15 during the summer driving season. Despite the vacated rule, E15 continued to remain available during the summer 2022 and 2023 driving seasons&nbsp;<a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/epa-issues-emergency-waiver-allowing-continued-access-to-e15-20175">via emergency waivers</a>&nbsp;issued by the EPA.&nbsp;With the agency’s April 19 announcement, E15 will continue to be sold this summer as well.Representatives of the U.S. ethanol industry are applauding the EPA and the Biden administration for allowing E15 to remain available for the third consecutive summer driving season via its emergency waiver authorities.&nbsp;The American Coalition for Ethanol noted that nearly 3,400 retail sites spanning 30 states currently offer E15.&nbsp;“We are grateful EPA has once again responded to our requests for a national emergency waiver for E15 which will relieve pain at the pump and reduce pollution from vehicles over the summer months,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of ACE. “ACE members pushed EPA to take this action during our DC fly-in last month and nearly 200 of our grassroots advocates contacted President Biden and Administrator Regan this month in support of an emergency waiver before the start of the 2024 summer driving season."Earlier this year, the Biden administration finally confirmed E15 can permanently be offered in eight Midwest states, but postponed year-round access in those states until the summer of 2025,” Jennings continued. “Today’s action is an important reminder that higher ethanol blends play a critical part in our nation’s energy security as well as contribute significant climate and air quality benefits. A permanent solution to year-round E15 will ensure these benefits aren’t left to the whim of ad hoc agency decision making in the future.“The Biden administration has rightfully exercised emergency authority to enable nationwide access to E15 for three summer driving seasons, but ultimately Congress must adopt the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 2707) to ensure continuous access to E15 nationwide,” Jennings added.&nbsp;The Renewable Fuel Association noted that more than 95% of vehicles on the road today can use E15 fuel, and that drivers typically save at least 25 cents per gallon when filling up with the fuel blend.&nbsp;“With gas prices on the rise again and geopolitical conflict roiling global energy markets, we applaud President Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan for taking decisive action to combat potential fuel shortages and keep a lid on gas prices this summer,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “Allowing uninterrupted sales of E15 will help extend gasoline supplies, prevent fuel shortages, protect air quality and reduce carbon emissions. We also appreciate the efforts of USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and the many ethanol supporters in Congress who advocated for continued access to E15 this summer.”Growth Energy applauded the EPA’s decision to issue E15 emergency waivers and expressed gratitude for federal lawmakers who have championed the ethanol industry.&nbsp;“We commend EPA Administrator Regan, Secretary Vilsack, and the Biden administration for easing pain at the pump this summer by protecting access to lower-carbon, more affordable E15,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Given ongoing supply threats stemming from unrest in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Red Sea shipping routes, this waiver will serve as a valuable shield against volatile fuel costs and help more working families benefit from E15, which has been saving drivers 10 to 30 cents per gallon.“We’re grateful to our steadfast champions on Capitol Hill who have fought hard for consumer access to E15, and, beyond this summer, we look forward to continuing work with them to find a permanent solution for year-round sales of E15.”&nbsp;

2022/01/E15Small_16419451125594_largethumb.jpg

2022/01/E15Small_16419451125594_thumb.jpg

2022/01/E15Small_16419451125594.jpg

The U.S. EPA on April 19 issued an emergency waiver allowing E15 to continue to be sold during the summer 2024 driving season. The action aims to provide relief from ongoing supply issues created by the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East.

EPA issues emergency waiver allowing continued availability of E15 this summer

Related Stories

USDA celebrates Earth Day by awarding $43 million in HBIIP grants

CoBank: Overall outlook for ethanol is positive

EcoEngineers achieves milestone with Canadian CFR scope extension accreditation

EPA: 1.91 billion RINs generated in March

EPA: 2 new SRE petitions filed, 38 SRE petitions now pending

Upcoming Events

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

EPA issues emergency waiver allowing continued availability of E15 this summer.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}