The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will issue emergency waivers allowing nationwide sales of E15 fuel for the 2025 summer driving season, citing fuel supply shortages. The move extends E15 access beyond the eight Midwest states, including Iowa, that already secured permanent year-round sales starting this summer. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw says, “IRFA thanks the Trump Administration for allowing states across the country the opportunity to sell E15 this summer. While Iowa consumers and retailers already have E15 certainty, we still want consumers all across the nation to have the ability to save 15 to 20 cents per gallon at the pump. And during a time of tight fuel supplies, it would be ridiculous to tell retailers to bag their E15 pumps. Today is good news for Iowa farmers as well when you consider that 96.5 percent of ethanol produced at Iowa plants is utilized outside of the state.” Iowa, led by Governor Kim Reynolds, was among the eight midwestern states that gained permanent approval for year-round E15 sales in early 2024. Still, a permanent nationwide fix remains elusive. Shaw says, “We are tired of waiting. Consumers and retailers are tired of waiting. E15 could provide a market for 5 to 7 billion gallons of additional ethanol demand at a time when American farmers and rural communities are hurting.” The 20-day waiver overrides an outdated regulation limiting summer E15 sales, with renewals expected throughout the summer due to ongoing fuel supply concerns.
