WASHINGTON, D.C.— Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuels trade association, today filed formal comments urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to swiftly allow for permanent year-round sales of E15 in eight Midwest states. The comments address EPA’s proposed response to Midwest governors seeking equal treatment of E10 and E15 fuels under federal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limits – a change that would extend access to cleaner, more affordable biofuel blends. 

“For motorists, the value proposition of E15 is clear,” wrote Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Growth Energy. “It gives consumers an additional choice at the pump that allows an additional pathway to market for homegrown ethanol.” 

In the letter, Bliley also highlighted E15’s advantages in terms of enhancing U.S. energy security and decreasing volatility in the American fuel market. “Reliance on petroleum energy sources can lead to substantial swings in fuel prices, as seen during the 2022 summer driving season as prices skyrocketed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and other factors,” he said. “During this period, E15 provided consumers with a significantly lower-cost fuel option at the pump, with savings of $0.16/gallon nationwide and up to $0.96/gallon in certain locations. If E15 were to replace E10 on a nationwide basis, consumer spending on motor fuel would decrease by $20.6 billion.” 

Bliley also emphasized that EPA must act quickly, given that the agency has already missed a key deadline established by the Clean Air Act. 

“EPA should mitigate its violations of the Clean Air Act timing requirements by promptly finalizing the proposed regulations with an effective date as soon as practicable,” added Bliley. “Further unlawful delay would continue to harm consumers, air quality, and the climate. In the interim, it is critical that EPA immediately issue an emergency one-psi waiver. This action would provide relief, flexibility, and certainty in the fuel markets as we are seeing continued high gasoline prices in the petitioning states.” 

A full copy of Bliley’s comments is available here.  

Latest Updates see all

get email updates on our work and how you can help

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect

On May 31, 21 members of the House, led by Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai urging her to protect U.S. farmers and biofuel producers and prioritize U.S. #ethanol export competitiveness in Brazil.https://t.co/Ugx88bA1KT https://t.co/bmf7EjdNxA

via @EthanolMagazine

Protecting #IA04 farmers and #ethanol producers will always be a top priority for me in Congress. I appreciate working with my @WaysandMeansGOP colleague @RepLaHood to ensure American ethanol exports receive fair treatment and robust market access in Brazil. https://t.co/pX246NiqLn

via @RepFeenstra

.@NUVUFUELS: "In Michigan alone, the higher biofuel blend offers drivers more than $1 billion in fuel savings annually, reduces emissions, and supports the state’s rural economy." twitter.com/Lwl_First_Look…

via @GrowthEnergy

Celebrated the nation's second #E15 standard with @RFNebraska's Dawn Caldwell and Traci Menke. Thank you for your work getting #LB562 signed into law. Nebraskan families will see savings at the pump this summer! cc: @LadyOfAg https://t.co/uPgLthktdZ

via @EmilySkor