Two bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently introduced the "Year-Round Fuel Choice Act" designed to give EPA the power to approve year-round sales of E15 across the country. Companion legislation also was introduced in the U.S. Senate.
The legislation introduced by Representatives Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, and Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, is in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia's decision to vacate a rule finalized by the Trump Administration’s EPA to allow year-round sales of E15. The court ruled earlier this month that EPA didn't have the authority in the Clean Air Act to grant a Reid vapor pressure waiver to any fuel other than E10.
Original restrictions on the sale of E15 were based on concerns about ozone pollution. The EPA previously restricted the sale of E15 in some regions from June 1 to September 15 each year.
This newly introduced legislation would permanently extend the 1.0 psi summertime Reid vapor pressure waiver to ethanol blends beyond E10 and eliminate any seasonal restrictions on sales.
Craig and Smith were joined in the introduction of the legislation by Biofuels Caucus co-chairs Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, Rodney Davis, R-Illinois, Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, and Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin. The bill is supported by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in order to address climate issues fuels like E15 will need to be made widely available. "As this country works to address climate change, we must embrace ready solutions that can be implemented today to immediately reduce our carbon emissions in our current auto fleet. This legislation comes at a critical time on the heels of a court ruling that would allow the oil industry to monopolize the gas tank and push aside low-carbon renewable fuels."
Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, said the legislation is needed to provide "clarity and consistency" for the ethanol industry and gasoline retailers.
National Corn Growers Association President John Linder said, "It's no surprise oil companies are trying to shut it down, because E15 is lower in carbon, tailpipe and evaporative emissions, not to mention lower in price."
EDITOR’S TAKE:
The E-15 issue has been controversial from the outset - in part due to the resistance from auto manufacturers and gasoline retailers. That aside, agriculture has predominantly been in favor of higher-level ethanol and on a year-round basis. The court ruling provided all parties with a clear path of what needs to be done to enable sales of E-15 in all 12 months. This will be a big step forward for corn growers and refiners. It will help the environment and provide a larger market for corn!
