Several fuel and convenience associations issued a letter asking the Trump administration to support the year-round sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15).
NATSO, representing travel plazas and truck stops; SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers; the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS); the American Petroleum Institute; Growth Energy; and the Renewable Fuels Association signed the letter.
“Today's letter expresses unified support for consumers' ability to access higher ethanol blends all year in all parts of the country,” the letter said. “This will help contribute to lower fuel prices in many markets throughout the United States. Market volatility and affordability concerns are best mitigated through consumer-oriented fuel policies that are designed to lower prices at the pump. Being able to sell E15 year-round would be an important step in that direction.”
In January, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national energy emergency and directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider using emergency authority to address potential fuel supply issues, including allowing expanded sales of E15 gasoline.
Using that authority, the EPA issued an emergency waiver in April permitting E15 to be sold nationwide during the 2025 summer driving season, when it is normally restricted under federal air-quality rules.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has said the waivers are meant to give consumers more fuel choices and move toward year-round E15 availability, but so far, the administration has relied on temporary emergency waivers rather than making a permanent policy change.
In addition to regulatory changes, the letter said that the administration should look at taxes and make sure tax policy helps lower prices at the pump.
“There are a number of other areas—particularly in the tax code—where policy also should be formulated with a keener eye toward imposing downward pressure on retail fuel prices,” the letter said.
As of April, EPA’s rule provides year-round E15 access in eight Midwestern states—Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin—although some areas might delay implementation until 2026.
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