EPA Publishes Final Rule on Year-Round E15 Availability

(WASHINGTON, DC) Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized regulatory changes to allow gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol – also known as E15 – to be sold year-round. The action fulfills President Trump’s promise to eliminate the summertime prohibition on E15, which industry proponents say kills demand for the higher octane fuel. EPA noted in published comments that many commenters supported this rulemaking because it would help the ethanol industry increase the ethanol in fuel and argued that it would, in turn, help American farmers. Much of this support came from the agricultural industry as well as the ethanol industry. EPA also acknowledged that they believe Congressional intent in 1990 was to promote the use of ethanol in fuel, whether for 10 or 15 percent blends. Other commenters were against providing E15, EPA said, explaining that some parties objected on legal grounds, whereas others provided input suggesting the E10 waiver is inappropriate for E15. Under the expansion, E15 will be allowed to be sold year-round rather than just eight months of the year.