Biofuel industry leaders are thanking government officials in Washington, D.C. for following through on President Joe Biden’s promise to ease restrictions on the nationwide sale of summertime E15. On Friday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Michael Regan, issued a temporary waiver reducing gasoline volatility limits that are active during the warmest times of the year, allowing fuel sales with higher ethanol blends. The order went into effect on May 1 and continues for 20 days from the date of issuance. However, Regan says the agency intends to issue new waivers, effectively extending the initial waiver until the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances the nation is experiencing are no longer present. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director, Monte Shaw, says, “We thank President Biden and EPA Administrator Regan for upholding the promise to ensure E15 can be sold nationwide this summer. It was very important this action was taken before May 1 when fuel terminals would have had to start discontinuing the distribution of E15 to retailers. This way terminals and retailers can have certainty, and there will be absolutely no interruption in consumer access to cleaner-burning, lower-cost E15.” Historically, higher ethanol blends have been restricted in the summer due to concerns the fuel contributes to smog formation, but biofuel advocates argue there is no legitimate scientific or environmental reason showing E15 is worse for the environment than other gasoline varieties.
