Ethanol stakeholders submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) this week calling for immediate implementation guidance for E15 so retailers can begin selling the lower cost fuel. CARB opened up a public docket for written comments following an Oct. 14 Scoping Workshop on E15 Use in California.
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty underscored the urgency of CARB categorizing E15 as a gasoline-grade fuel, given the recent authorization of E15 sales through the passage of AB 30 and 14 years of safe, real-world use nationwide.
“We urge CARB to move quickly with a clear statement that the sale of E15 is allowed in California, and provide guidance promptly, so California fuel marketers can begin offering the low-cost and clean fuel to consumers immediately,” Lamberty said in written comments.
ACE’s comments also highlighted that California’s fueling infrastructure is already largely compatible with E15. To help retailers verify compatibility, Lamberty pointed CARB to the Flex Check tool on the organization’s website flexfuelforward.com, which allows marketers to check whether existing tanks, lines, dispensers, and hanging hardware can handle E15.
The Renewable Fuels Association also voiced strong support for immediately expanding access to the lower-cost E15 fuel blend in California, urging CARB to quickly clarify remaining questions regarding the immediate implementation of AB 30, while working in parallel to update state gasoline regulations to allow E15.
RFA President and CEO Geoff wrote in the comments that the intent of AB 30, which was signed into law on October 2, is crystal clear – that retailers may immediately offer the fuel if they choose to do so. “Thus, to honor the statutory purpose and intent of AB 30 and the Governor’s directive, RFA strongly encourages CARB to prioritize immediate implementation of AB 30 so that California fuel retailers can offer E15 as soon as possible.”
In the latest Ethanol Report podcast, Cooper says one specific sticking point concerns the certification of vapor recovery equipment for E15. “It’s the stage two vapor recovery equipment that exists at California retail stations. No other state has that equipment still in place, but California does. And so there’s been just some some technical glitches in getting the clarity and certainty that the marketplace needs from CARB on the suitability of that equipment for E15. But we think we’re very close to having that.”
Cooper is confident that hurdle will be overcome very soon. “We are very hopeful that by Christmas time, Californians are going to have a nice Christmas surprise and be able to buy that lower cost cleaner fuel.”