WASHINGTON, D.C. – The EPA announced April 28 it will issue an emergency fuel waiver to allow lower-cost and lower-emission E15 – a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline – to be sold during the summer driving season, effective May 1.

“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,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

Tom Haag, National Corn Growers Association president, and Eden Valley, Minn., farmer, said, “We appreciate Administrator Regan’s timely action to prevent a disruption in E15 availability. The EPA’s action will help address fuel supply constraints, and ensure drivers continue to have access to a lower-cost fuel choice that cuts emissions.”

Currently, in approximately two-thirds of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1, and at retail stations starting on June 1. The EPA is providing relief by extending the 1-psi (pounds per inch) Reid Vapor Pressure waiver that currently applies to E10 gasoline to E15, which will enable E15 sales throughout the summer driving season in these areas, if necessary.

The EPA said this action only extends the 1-psi waiver to E15 in parts of the country where it already exists for E10. E15 can already be sold year-round in parts of the country that have a reformulated gasoline program.

In a March 6 letter to Regan, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers demanded the EPA change the proposed rule to allow for E15 sales this summer, announcing their ‘intent to sue’ the EPA for what they called the agency’s ‘illegal delay’ in allowing year-round E15 sales

Scott Smith, Indiana Corn Growers Association president, and a Windfall, Ind., farmer, said this is a tremendous victory for corn farmers in Indiana, and around the country.

“Allowing summer sales of E15 not only helps farmers, but it’s also good for consumers, and the environment,” he said. “The low-cost, low-emission blend of 15 percent ethanol, with 85 percent petroleum, is lower in carbon emissions than standard fuel, which has a 10 percent ethanol blend.

“In addition, the economic conditions that were in place a year ago remain the same today,” he added. “Drivers saved about 23 cents per gallon last summer. I expect they will see a similar benefit this year, too. The Indiana Corn Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association will continue to work for a permanent solution that would allow year-round E15 sales.”

Matt Rush, Illinois Corn Growers Association president and Fairfield, Ill., farmer, said, “IL Corn applauds the EPA in making this decision for consumers to have access to an affordable low-carbon fuel choice. Rural Illinois is a key partner for tackling climate and energy issues, and today’s decision further illustrates that farmers are here for long-term solutions at the pump.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said, “As the nation’s leader in ethanol production and the first state to adopt an E15 standard, Iowans have long recognized the importance of biofuels for reducing costs at the pump, building demand for our corn, creating good jobs in rural Iowa, being a cleaner choice for the environment, and making America energy independent.