The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that due to fuel supply shortages, the agency will issue emergency waivers to permit the nationwide sale of E15 for the 2025 summer driving season. Even though Iowa and seven other Midwest states received approval to allow year-round sales of E15 on a permanent basis, a nationwide waiver provides additional E15 access to consumers outside of the eight Midwest states.
“IRFA thanks the Trump Administration for allowing states across the country the opportunity to sell E15 this summer,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “While Iowa consumers and retailers already have E15 certainty, we still want consumers all across the nation to have the ability to save 15 to 20 cents per gallon at the pump. And during a time of tight fuel supplies, it would be ridiculous to tell retailers to bag their E15 pumps. Today is good news for Iowa farmers as well when you consider that 96.5 percent of ethanol produced at Iowa plants is utilized outside of the state.”
Led by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, in February 2024, Iowa and the seven other Midwest states received approval to sell E15 year-round effective this summer. One state, Ohio, requested and was granted a one-year delay in the effective date. During his first administration, President Trump directed his EPA to authorized year-round E15. However, a lawsuit led to the EPA rule being thrown out. For the past three summers, former President Biden’s EPA issued emergency waivers so that E15 use could continue during the busy summer months. For year-round E15 to become permanent across the country, Congress will need to update fuel regulations.
“While we are thankful to see increased access of E15 this summer, now is the time for Congress to push nationwide year-round E15 across the finish line,” added Shaw. “We are tired of waiting. Consumers and retailers are tired of waiting. E15 could provide a market for 5 to 7 billion gallons of additional ethanol demand at a time when American farmers and rural communities are hurting.”
The 20-day emergency waiver overrides an outdated regulation that makes it difficult for retailers in much of the United States to sell E15 from June 1 through September 15. Retailers in areas with bad air quality have always been allowed to offer E15 year-round. While such waivers can be for a maximum of 20 days, due to ongoing fuel supply concerns, it is expected that EPA will renew the waivers throughout the summer.
