Trump Admin Issues Waiver for Summertime E15 Sales

Reuters’ Stephanie Kelly reported that “the Trump administration on Monday issued an emergency waiver to allow the sale of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend (E15) to be sold this summer nationwide, saying it will add to fuel supply during the peak U.S. driving season and bring down costs.”

“The move likely will benefit biofuel producers and corn farmers, as it is expected to expand the market for their products,” Kelly reported. “Both industries have pushed for nationwide year-round sales of the higher-ethanol blend, which is called E15, as it is made up of 15% ethanol.”

“‘This move to allow the summer sale of E15 will provide immediate relief to consumers, provide more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America,’ U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said,” according to Kelly’s reporting. “The government currently restricts sales of E15 gasoline in summer months due to environmental concerns over smog, which the biofuel industry says are unfounded.”

“The emergency waiver will go into effect on May 1. The Environmental Protection Agency, which issued the waiver, said it expects to extend the waiver until it no longer deems it necessary,” Kelly reported. “The EPA has issued similar waivers for the summer in recent years.”

Progressive Farmer’s Todd Neeley reported that “the Clean Air Act allows the EPA administrator to temporarily waive certain fuel requirements to address fuel shortages. As a result of ongoing issues with gasoline supplies, EPA said in the news release that (Administrator Lee) Zeldin ‘determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist’ and granted the waiver to ‘help ensure’ that an ‘adequate supply’ of gasoline is available.”

I applaud @EPA‘s quick response to a letter I sent with my colleagues last week urging the sale of E15 through the summer.

This decision supports our producers, gives consumers more options at the pump, and bolsters our energy security.https://t.co/ny7MnN6Gpy

— Rep. Dusty Johnson (@RepDustyJohnson) April 28, 2025

“The Biden EPA finalized a rule on Feb. 22, 2024, to allow eight Midwest states to permanently sell E15 year-round and delayed implementation to April 28, 2025. Those eight states include Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin,” Neeley reported. “The emergency waiver granted on Monday was needed because as of May 1 terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 in certain regions of the country. EPA said on Monday the initial waiver would remain in place through May 20.”

Ag & Energy Groups Still Pushing for Year-Round Sales

The Associated Press’ John Hanna reported that “while the ethanol industry and Iowa officials praised the EPA’s action, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group for ethanol producers, argued that Congress should approve legislation allowing year-round E15 sales across the U.S.“

“‘For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs long-term certainty,’ President and CEO Geoff Cooper said,” according to Hanna’s reporting. “The biofuels industry and politicians in both major parties argue that ethanol helps farmers, lowers prices at the pump and reduces greenhouse gas because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. But ethanol consumes about 40% of the nation’s corn crop, and environmentalists argue that higher corn production leads to higher use of fertilizers that are a leading source of water pollution.”

Neeley reported that “Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in a statement that the EPA’s action was a ‘step toward greater American energy dominance.‘ Skor said the waiver would allow Congress and the administration to continue work on a permanent E15 fix.”

Just announced by @EPA 📩 An emergency waiver has been granted to allow access to #E15 this summer at the pump. Thank you @POTUS, @epaleezeldin, @SecRollins & our biofuel champions in Congress for protecting savings for American families this summer. https://t.co/3PUDnibjG6

— Growth Energy (@GrowthEnergy) April 28, 2025

“‘This will put more American fuel in the marketplace, allow Americans to spend less of their hard-earned money at the pump this summer, give fuel retailers the clarity and certainty they need, and protect a critical market for American farmers,’ she said,” according to Neeley’s reporting. “‘With a temporary waiver in place, our bipartisan champions in Congress and the White House can focus on passing permanent legislation that provides unrestricted access to E15 — all months, all states, all stations and all fuel dispensers.'”