The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) applauds the announcement by President Donald Trump that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is beginning a formal rulemaking process to allow year-round sales of E15 nationwide. Currently, 
E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) cannot be sold during the summer months in most of the country.
The de facto summertime ban on E15 is the result of a burdensome, decades-old regulation that offers no environmental or economic benefit whatsoever. Eliminating the summertime barrier to E15 will save consumers money and reduce emissions, enhance competition, and provide a boost to the farm economy.
“Securing fair market access for E15 and other higher blends has been our top regulatory priority for several years, and we are pleased that the first official step in this process is being taken. When markets are open and competitive, American consumers win,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We thank President Trump for formally initiating the process to eliminate this antiquated, red-tape laden regulation, and look forward to the full resolution of this issue before next summer’s driving season. This is the right signal to the marketplace at just the right time, as both farmers and renewable fuel producers desperately need new market opportunities and sources of demand.”
RFA Chairman Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol, offered the following statement: “We appreciate this announcement by President Trump and we look forward to working with the Administration to allow consumers access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15 all year long in 2019. We also are grateful to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for his commendable efforts to secure fair regulatory treatment for E15 and higher blends, and we are eager to work with EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler as his team initiates the rulemaking process.”
In 2011, EPA approved the use of E15 in all light-duty vehicles built in 2001 or later, meaning more than 90 percent of the cars and trucks on the road today are legally approved to use the fuel. E15 is available at more than 1,300 retail stations in 29 states, and it is expected that elimination of the summertime ban will result in rapid expansion of the availability of E15 nationwide.
Source: Renewable Fuels Association