Ag Groups Urge EPA to Issue E15 Emergency Waiver
WASHINGTON — Several agricultural groups representing hundreds of thousands of farmers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to swiftly grant the biofuel sector an emergency waiver for E15 sales.
In a March 26 letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the groups contend that new and ongoing conflicts across the globe “continue to pose risks to the United States’ transportation energy supply.”
They specifically point to the war in Ukraine, which is now entering its third year, and more recent unrest and volatility in the Middle East, as reasons for their concerns.
“In particular, attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have already had a disruptive effect on the transit of fuel in the region, raising the specter of constrained supply and increased gasoline prices at home,” they wrote.
The letter writing coalition includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Corn Growers Association Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association and the National Sorghum Producers.
The Clean Air Act allows the EPA administrator, in consultation with the Department of Energy, to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages.
Ordinarily, in roughly two-thirds of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1 due to historic concerns over evaporative emissions.
Last year, EPA granted midwestern states a permanent waiver but that does not take effect until 2025.
To guard against disruptions to global energy markets, stabilize gasoline prices for American consumers and support America’s farmers and rural economies, the coalition is urging EPA to quickly authorize the sale of gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol for the 2024 driving season.
They also ask that the emergency waiver go into effect by May 1.
“The consumer cost savings that result from allowing the year-round sale of E15, even on a temporary basis, are well-established,” the groups write. “As a result of the emergency waivers issued in 2022 and 2023, consumers choosing E15 experienced average cost savings of 10-30 cents per gallon, with some locations offering over $1 off per gallon.
“Finally, summer sales of E15 would continue to provide environmental benefits through lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced evaporative emissions and fewer harmful pollutants linked to poor air quality, which is also clearly in the public interest,” they said.
In related news, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds this week was touting the findings in the Department of Revenue’s latest Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report.
The study, published in March, showed E15 sales increased 47% year-on-year to a record 178 million gallons in 2023.
“Iowans appreciate having cheaper, cleaner burning E15 as an option at the pump, leading to record breaking sales in 2023,” Reynolds said in a statement.
“Biofuels not only play a huge role in Iowa’s agriculture economy, but provide Iowans with a cheaper alternative to regular fuel. Iowa was the first state in the country to adopt an E15 standard,” she said, adding, “The success of E15 in Iowa should show the Biden administration just how effective E15 can be for consumers across the country.”
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue
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