Amid fears that Middle East conflicts could lead to higher fuel prices, the Renewable Fuels Association is urging President Trump to eliminate some of the burdensome regulatory roadblocks that are preventing broader use of 15% ethanol blended fuel, E15 or Unleaded 88.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper sent a letter to President Trump noting that the U.S. currently has record-large ethanol inventories and underutilized production capacity due to artificial barriers that are blocking access to the domestic marketplace.
“Today, the United States has a seasonal record volume of ethanol sitting in storage,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, also noting that the industry has 130,000 barrels per day of idled production capacity. “Meanwhile, ample domestic grain supplies are available to support expanded ethanol production, and farmers are projected to harvest a record-large corn crop this fall. Unfortunately, however, outdated regulatory barriers are blocking larger volumes of ethanol and fuel blends like E15 from reaching the marketplace. Unwarranted regulatory burdens are preventing American consumers from experiencing the full cost-cutting benefits of ethanol. With your leadership, these barriers can be swiftly removed.”
Cooper outlined five steps the administration could take immediately to allow gas stations to utilize their existing equipment to offer lower-cost E15 to American drivers:
1. Eliminate E15 Misfueling Mitigation Plan requirements.
2. Establish a presumption of E15 compatibility for all fuel dispensers, underground storage tank systems, and hanging hardware installed after 1998.
3. Continue issuing emergency fuel waivers through September 15, allowing E15 to be sold throughout the summer.
4. Provide a safe harbor provision for retailers who act in good faith and follow EPA guidelines on the storage and distribution of E15 in existing equipment.
5. Provide technical assistance for state and local authorities having jurisdiction to quickly adopt or codify changes that allow E15 to be distributed in existing infrastructure, if required by state or local code.
“Knocking down regulatory barriers and allowing E15 to be stored and distributed in existing infrastructure will lower fuel costs for Americans and strengthen the market’s resilience against global supply disruptions,” Cooper concluded.