The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency waiver to allow gasoline containing higher levels of ethanol to be sold during the summer months. The action seeks to “provide families with relief at the pump by increasing fuel supply and ensuring a variety of gasoline fuel blends from which consumers can choose,” the EPA explained. “More options at the pump helps protect consumers by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, and bolstering U.S. energy independence, all while supporting American agriculture and manufacturing.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the development honors President Trump’s “commitment to farmers.”
The sale of E15 gasoline will provide “immediate relief to consumers,” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
“President Trump is committed to lowering energy prices by unleashing American energy production, and it all starts with U.S. farmers. This move to allow the summer sale of E-15 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,” Rollins said in a statement. “Our nation’s great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence which is essential to national security.”
“I thank Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to implement this emergency fuel waiver and his continued commitment to U.S. famers and the U.S. biofuels industry. At USDA we look forward to our continued partnership with EPA and are working diligently to increase our energy dominance in the U.S. and abroad by expanding market access for American biofuels on the world stage,” the statement continued.
The emergency waiver will take effect on May 1 through May 20. The EPA expects to issue new waivers “until such time as the extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances are no longer present.”
