The Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced a proposed rule paving the way for year-round E-15 as a group of state governors requested. The proposal would allow states to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing ten percent ethanol in their states.
EPA proposes removing the 1-psi waiver in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. EPA also proposes an effective date for all states of April 28, 2024. Biofuel groups, however, criticized the implementation date of the proposal.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor responded, “First and foremost, we need E15 in 2023 so consumers can save money every time they fuel up at the pump.”
The National Corn Growers Association supports the governors’ plan and expressed serious concern over the one-year delay in implementation and the market uncertainty the delay creates for E15 in 2023. NCGA President Tom Haag says, “These governors did the right thing, but EPA’s proposal delays this solution.”
