EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at USDA National Ag Day event Tuesday
Beginning on May 1, 2026, EPA’s waivers will work to prevent disruption in America’s fuel supply by keeping E15 on the market and giving Americans more fuel options. EPA is issuing the waiver notice today to allow fuel industry stakeholders adequate time to transition the fuel distribution system. As required by the CAA, EPA and DOE evaluated the current situation and determined that granting the waiver was in the public interest.
After appearing at agricultural events Monday and Tuesday of this week and saying little about E15, Zeldin made the announcement today at CERAWeek, an annual energy conference held in Houston, Texas and organized by S&P Global. Zeldin spoke first in the briefing room at the event, appearing later in a dialogue with CERAWeek Chairman and S&P Global Vice Chairman Daniel Yergin.
In the advisory from EPA, it was made clear that today’s announcement was not “regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard Set 2 Rulemaking.” There is still the upcoming event at the White House on Friday with farmers and biofuel advocates where it is expected the RVO details will be released, although Zeldin has only said it happen by March 31.
Ethanol industry stakeholders immediately thanked the administration for taking the action, while noting a permanent legislative solution allowing year-round E15 is still needed.
“With geopolitical conflict roiling energy markets worldwide, we applaud President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for acting quickly and decisively to combat potential fuel shortages and help keep a lid on gas prices this summer. Today’s action will allow maximum flexibility and fuel fungibility in the marketplace, which is exactly what the supply chain needs right now,” Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said. “For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs stability and long-term certainty. Consumers, fuel producers, and farmers alike desperately need Congress to pass legislation that would deliver permanent year-round access for E15 and finally break the cycle of ad hoc, stop-gap emergency waivers.”
“If ever there were justifiable conditions to merit an emergency waiver for E15, it would be now as fuel prices have skyrocketed from war with Iran and a historical oil market disruption in the Strait of Hormuz,” said American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings. “Despite this action, Congress must still act quickly. ACE made year-round E15 access a top priority during our DC Fly-In this month, and we’re grateful to our members and Congressional champions who continue to advocate on this issue. Enactment of E15 legislation has recently been held hostage by a handful of small and mid-sized oil refiners trying to line their pockets at the expense of American consumers and farmers. Instead of letting these disingenuous concerns by a small subset of refiners, some whom are Fortune 500 companies, stall action, Congress should stand with the supermajority of oil refiners who have united with agriculture, biofuel, and fuel retail groups in favor of bipartisan action from Congress on year-round E15.”