The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is calling on Washington to pass legislation that would fix arcane RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) that keeps E15 from being sold in most markets during summer months. The two-week digital media campaign is focused on five target online publications and includes a daily video webcast for energy and environmental policy leaders. Featured in the campaign is Charlie Good, an ASE-certified mechanic and c-store owner. The campaign urges Congress to take action on bipartisan, bicameral legislation (S. 1239 and HR 1736) to allow gas stations to sell E15 year-round by updating EPA’s RVP regulation. The campaign runs September 19-23 and September 26-30 and will be featured on sites such as E&E Daily, Climatewire, Greenwire, and E&E TV.
Even though E15, and all higher blends of ethanol, has fewer evaporative emissions than gasoline and E10, EPA refuses to allow E15 in conventional gasoline areas of the country from June 1 to September 15. As a result, most gas station owners can only sell E15 to flex fuel drivers. However, if EPA acts now on bringing RVP legislation in to the 21st century, then beginning in 2017, E15 could be sold year round.
“It is imperative for Congress to take action on this legislation before adjourning for the year so c-store chains and gas station owners will be able to sell E15 to their customers year-round,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings. “Our campaign includes retailer Charlie Good, in his own words, telling Congress how ridiculous it is for EPA to say E15 is okay to use one day, but not the next, when the fuel is cleaner than gasoline and E10,” said Jennings. “The ads make the case that the old RVP rule is out of sync with science and forces retailers like Charlie to halt sales of low-cost E15 during peak driving season.”
According to ACE, year-round allowance of E15 could help save consumers between two to 10 cents per gallon, enabling retailers to sell a higher octane fuel for less than gasoline. ACE estimates that thousands of stations nationwide would start selling E15 if the RVP restriction was lifted by EPA or fixed by Congress.