LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- The Trump administration granted an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 sales to continue through the summer months effective on May 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday.
Although the Trump administration announced it would likely grant an E15 summer waiver in an executive order signed months ago, members of Congress and even governors had been pressing the EPA to grant the waiver in the absence of Congress passing legislation to allow permanent E15 sales nationally.
That order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second term, declared a national emergency and directed the EPA to consider an E15 waiver by extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for E15.
"President Trump's commitment to farmers and the Renewable Fuels Standard has been a cornerstone to his leadership," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a news release.
"In my confirmation hearing, I pledged to establish certainty when it came to the sale of E15 year-round. Promises made, promises kept. 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 E15 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."
The Clean Air Act allows the EPA administrator to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address fuel shortages. As a result of ongoing issues with gasoline supplies, EPA said in the news release that Zeldin "determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist" and granted the 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 said in the release.
The Biden EPA finalized a rule on Feb. 22, 2024, to allow eight Midwest states to permanently sell E15 year-round and delayed implementation to April 28, 2025. Those eight states include Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The emergency waiver granted on Monday was needed because as of May 1 terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in certain regions of the country. EPA said on Monday the initial waiver would remain in place through May 20.
"EPA will continue to monitor the supply with industry and federal partners," the agency said in a news release.
"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."
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in a statement that the EPA's action was a "step toward greater American energy dominance."
Skor said the waiver would allow Congress and the administration to continue work on a permanent E15 fix.
"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," she said.
"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."
Geoff Cooper, CEO and president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), said while EPA's announcement was "good news" for American families, a permanent legislative solution allowing year-round E15 is still needed.
"With geopolitical conflict roiling energy markets worldwide, we applaud President Trump and administrator Zeldin for acting quickly to combat potential fuel shortages and help keep a lid on gas prices this summer," Cooper said in a statement.
"Allowing uninterrupted sales of E15 will help boost gasoline supplies, bolster the farm economy and protect air quality. We also appreciate the efforts of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, several key governors and the many ethanol supporters in Congress who worked together to promote continued access to E15."
The E15 gasoline blend is legally approved for use in more than 95% of vehicles on the road today, the RFA said. Drivers typically save 15 cents to 25 cents per gallon when filling up with E15.
Read more on DTN:
"Ohio Seeks E15 Delay From Trump EPA," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
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