Nearly 1,000 farmers, ethanol industry workers and other supporters from across the U.S. have sent a letter to President Biden calling on his administration to take action to allow continued access to E15 throughout the upcoming summer driving season, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. E15 is a lower-cost, lower-carbon gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol.
“With the 2024 summer driving season just a few months away, we are urging your administration to take additional action that will ensure consumers across the nation have uninterrupted access to lower-cost, lower-carbon E15,” the letter states.
“Allowing gasoline blenders and retailers to sell E15 this summer would help moderate prices at the pump, extend fuel supplies and deliver relief to American families at a time of year when gasoline prices typically are at their highest,” the letter continues. “Today, E15 is selling for 10 to 25 cents per gallon less than standard E10 gasoline, allowing the average American household to save $125 to $200 on its annual gasoline bill.
“As war in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East continue to create turbulence in the global fuel market, we encourage you to continue embracing year-round E15 — a domestic solution that enhances energy security, reduces emissions and bolsters American agriculture,” the letter concludes.
In a recent RFA blog post, Chief Economist Scott Richman estimated that U.S. sales of the E15 fuel blend hit a record 1.11 billion gallons in 2023. RFA and its allies sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently, calling on EPA Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales.
In February 2024, EPA granted a petition from eight Midwest governors to allow year-round sales of E15. However, the petition only applies to those eight states and does not go into effect until 2025, creating uncertainty about the status of E15 for summer 2024.
Click here for more information on the need for summertime E15.
