DES MOINES, Iowa – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday issued an emergency fuel waiver for E15 gasoline, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, to be sold this summer.
The Biden Administration intends to provide relief at the pump from ongoing market supply issues created by war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East by increasing fuel supply and offering a variety of gasoline fuel blends from which consumers can choose. E15 is about $0.25 a gallon cheaper than E10.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, EPA is taking action to protect Americans from fuel supply challenges resulting from ongoing conflict overseas by ensuring consumers have more choices at the pump,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will increase fuel supply, while supporting American farmers, strengthening our nation’s energy security, and providing relief to drivers across the country.”
Iowa’s elected officials at the state and federal levels have pushed for year-round E15 sales.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, welcomed the announcement about the waiver, but renewed his call for year-round nationwide access for E15 sales.
“This summertime waiver is good news and will preserve access to E15 in the immediate term. However, EPA’s tradition of issuing stopgap E15 authorizations must come to an end. There’s no reason to disrupt the industry by withholding year-round, nationwide E15,” Grassley said.
“In fact, EPA has approved a petition to allow year-round E15 in Iowa and seven other Midwest states starting next year. But I’m hearing rumors the agency might delay implementation, and that better not be true. Such a delay would be a bait-and-switch by Biden bureaucrats on the drivers, retailers, farmers and refiners who are counting on uninterrupted E15 moving forward,” he added.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said that Iowans shouldn’t have to continue dealing with uncertainty.
“Finally, Americans will have access to higher blends of ethanol, like E15, throughout this upcoming summer driving season,” Ernst said.“However, Iowa families, corn farmers, ethanol producers, and fuel retailers should not have to wait for this certainty. As everyone is feeling the pain at the pump, they should have E15 year-long, instead of waiting for the whims of the administration to issue a last-minute waiver. I will continue to push for a nationwide solution that permanently secures lower prices at the gas station.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed approval for the waiver, but disappointment in the delay of year-round sales.
“I am pleased to see the EPA issue this waiver, allowing cheaper, cleaner burning E-15 to be sold this summer. This is a huge victory for Iowa farmers, American energy independence, and consumers. However, it comes after a disappointing decision to delay implementation to permit year-round sales of E-15 in eight midwestern states. The call for this action came from a coalition of Midwest Governors two years ago, and unjustified delays have only prolonged the uncertainty for consumers, fuel retailers, ethanol producers, and farmers,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, called on Congress to pass a solution for E15 year-round sales.
“Today’s E-15 waiver announcement by the EPA was long overdue, but good news for farmers and Iowa. Allowing the nationwide sale of E15 this summer will lower costs for Iowans and many Americans at the gas pump. However, the EPA’s waiver is only a temporary solution. Congress needs to pass an immediate solution to allow the permanent voluntary sale of E15 year-round across the country. Representing Iowa in Congress, I will continue to lead the charge to get E15 legislation passed to lower costs for consumers and unleash America’s energy potential,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, called the waiver a win.
“Expanding access to biofuels is a win for consumers, producers, and the environment. EPA’s waiver is a step in the right direction, but it’s crucial that Iowa drivers and biofuel producers have long-term certainty, so I will continue working to make the year-round sale of E15 permanent,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, said the waiver shouldn’t have been necessary.
“I’m glad to see this Administration relent their stubborn opposition of E15 by issuing an emergency waiver for this summer. This waiver wouldn’t have been necessary if the Administration hadn’t delayed permanent implementation of year-round E15 until 2025, but this is the right thing for the economy, climate, and families that will benefit from cheaper fuel this summer,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) said the decision was long-overdue.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig welcomed the news, but also criticized the Biden Administration for their delay.
“While today’s announcement is welcome news, the Biden Administration should have never allowed this decision to get to the point of needing yet another emergency waiver. Iowa drivers and fuel retailers have been needlessly subjected to uncertainty about the availability of this more affordable option at a time when inflation is running hot, oil prices are rising and global events are producing turmoil. I am glad that Iowa consumers will be able to take full advantage of the savings E15 offers all year long, and with more pumps being added all the time, there has never been greater E15 access and momentum than we have today. Thanks to Governor Reynolds’ strong leadership on this issue, Iowa and seven other Midwest states will never again have to deal with this summertime E15 uncertainty. Ultimately, though, we continue to need a permanent federal solution that allows every driver, every day, in every state to save money with E15, and I will continue to work with the Governor and our delegation in Washington to push that plan forward,” he said.
Attorney General Brenna Bird, whose office sued the Biden Administration over the issue, called the emergency waiver a victory.
“I am glad that Biden finally made the right call in granting an emergency waiver for E15 to be sold this summer. I wish I did not need to sue Biden to get him to quit dragging his feet on E15, but I am happy that Iowans will now have access to the cleaner, cheaper energy they deserve. This is a huge victory for farmers and ethanol producers across the state, and it cuts costs at the gas pump for Iowa families at a time many of them need it most,” she said.
