The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver allowing nationwide sales of E15 ahead of the summer driving season.
The waiver was issued under the Clean Air Act in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy.
E15, or gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, already can be sold year-round in some states. The EPA also issued the waiver on E15 sales last summer. The move prevents the seasonal cutoff of E15 sales in many markets due to federal volatility restrictions, allowing retailers to continue offering the fuel through peak driving months.
The waiver also removes federal barriers to E10 distribution, allowing more flexibility in gasoline blending and logistics.
The administration said the move also supports domestic biofuel producers and corn growers by expanding the market for ethanol blends.
The waiver’s terms begin on May 1 for most states and will initially remain in place through May 20. The 20-day window is the maximum duration allowed under the law. The EPA said it issued the waiver early to give fuel suppliers and retailers time to prepare distribution systems ahead of May 1.
The EPA will continue to monitor the fuel supply with industry and federal partners. The agency will be ready to extend the emergency fuel waivers as long as the fuel supply circumstances warrant such action.
“EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer. This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “President Trump has prioritized ensuring American families have an affordable domestic energy supply. The Trump Administration has made great strides on this during the first year and will continue to do so.”
The emergency fuel waiver will temporarily waive the summer low volatility requirements and blending limitations for gasoline to provide additional flexibility to the fuel marketplace, the EPA said. This will increase fuel supply and provide a variety of gasoline fuel blends to choose from without changing environmental protections already in place.
E15 is currently offered at more than 3,000 gas stations nationwide, where it serves as a more affordable choice for Americans. Without this action, E15 gasoline cannot be used by roughly half of the country this summer.
Additionally, the EPA is also waiving federal enforcement of all state “boutique” fuel requirements for gasoline, allowing the production and distribution of gasoline with 9% to 15% ethanol content at a single common Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard of 10 psi across the nation.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.