EPA issues emergency waiver to allow year-round sale of E-15

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — E-15 will be available at gas pumps through the summer thanks to new rule from the Environment Protection Agency.

The agency issued an emergency fuel waiver on Friday that allows E-15 to be sold year-round.

Regulators hope the waiver will help to make gas prices cheaper across the United States as the war in Ukraine drags on. The EPA estimates E-15 is 25 cents cheaper per gallon than E-10.

They say by allowing higher ethanol blends, the nation’s dependency on foreign fuel will be slashed.

“Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will not only help increase fuel supply, but support American farmers, strengthen U.S. energy security and provide relief to drivers across the country,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a press release.

The waiver will go into effect on May 1 and, by law, can only go to May 20. But officials expect to continue issuing waivers as need be.

In 2021, Nebraska exported over $2 billion worth of corn. The expanded sale of ethanol will likely open more markets for Nebraska’s corn farmers, allowing that number to grow.

Sen. Deb Fischer reintroduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023 in March. The bill would allow for E-15 to be sold year-round permanently and smooth out regulations for higher blends.

“Glad to see the EPA finally announce it’s lifting restrictions on E-15 for the 2023 summer driving season,” Fischer wrote. “Yes — this is good news for consumers feeling the pain at the pump, for our energy security and for family farmers across our state. The White House should get behind my year-round E-15 bill and stop the yearly uncertainty. It’s time consumers across America had consistent access to a biofuel that will lower gas prices.”

While serving as governor, Sen. Pete Ricketts pushed for the year-round sale of ethanol.

On Friday, he shared a statement celebrating the move and called on Congress to pass his colleague’s bill.

“E15 is a win for everyone: it saves drivers money at the pump, helps clean our environment and creates jobs here in America. That’s why it enjoys bipartisan support,” Ricketts said in a press release. “Today’s announcement is good news, but our producers deserve a more permanent solution than bureaucratic waivers. It’s time to pass Senator Fischer’s Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and unleash year-round E-15 for good.”