There will be year-round E15 in at least eight states as of April 28 now that
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the agency’s decision to uphold that implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 in Midwestern states.
This action, requested by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, provides regulatory certainty for fuel suppliers and expands consumer access to E15 year-round in these states. “Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “Our approach provides certainty for states that are ready to move forward with year-round E15 while accommodating those that requested additional time. We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure available and affordable fuel supply.”
However, the agency will consider the recent request from the governor of Ohio for a one-year delay to allow the state to get into compliance and intends to evaluate similar requests from other states made no later than Feb. 26. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said while they applaud EPA’s action, “Ohio’s request to pull its E15 petition is a troubling sign that underscores the urgency of securing a federal legislative solution as soon as possible. A state-by-state approach would not be necessary if Congress passed the nationwide, year-round E15 legislation recently introduced in both the House and Senate.”
There was a lot of focus on E15 at last week’s National Ethanol Conference. Troy Bredenkamp, RFA Government & Public Affairs, says year-round access to E15 nationwide is the ethanol industry’s number one priority. “Once we get E15 over the hump, I think then we can really start talking about things other than fixing a technical correction that should have been done 15 years ago,” said Bredenkamp. “I think we’re going to see some pretty positive statements coming out of the Trump administration White House here in the next week or so that will indicate to Congress that he wants this issue done resolved once and for all.”
Troy Bredenkamp, RFA Government Affairs (4:32)