The emergency fuel waiver announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide relief at the pump for American drivers this summer, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tailpipe pollution. The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed EPA’s announcement, which will allow lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 (gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol) to be sold during the summer driving season.
“We join consumers across the nation in thanking EPA Administrator Regan for taking action to combat potential fuel shortages and higher gas prices this summer,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “U.S. gasoline inventories are even tighter than they were a year ago, and Putin’s war on Ukraine continues to wreak havoc on global fuel supplies. EPA’s action allowing summertime E15 will help extend gasoline supplies, prevent fuel shortages, protect air quality and reduce carbon emissions. We thank EPA, USDA, DOE, and the entire Biden administration for ensuring drivers across the country will continue to have access to lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 all summer long.”
EPA took the same action ahead of last summer, resulting in nearly $60 million in savings at the pump for American consumers during the summer months. Recent analysis by the RFA shows that since the beginning of 2022, E15 has typically sold for 20-30 cents per gallon less than regular E10 gasoline, saving drivers an average of $3-5 on each fill-up.
Today’s decision will also reduce summertime air pollution, as shown in RFA’s “E15 Fact Check” released last spring. And, according to EPA, “consumers can continue to use E15 without concern that its use in the summer will impact air quality.”
Prior to today’s action, EPA on March 6 proposed to approve a bipartisan petition from eight Midwest governors that will allow retailers and marketers in their states to permanently sell E15 year-round beginning in 2024.
