WASHINGTON, D.C.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded a bipartisan group of biofuel champions in Congress today for introducing a bill that would allow the year-round sale of E15, a higher ethanol-blended fuel that costs less than ordinary fuel and supports economic growth in rural America. In response, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following remarks:
“We applaud Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) for leading the charge once again to unlock permanent, nationwide access to E15. Rural families and American consumers at large are lucky to have them in our corner, and we hope this is the bill that finally makes it over the finish line.
“There’s good reason to be optimistic. Today, we have bipartisan, bicameral support from long-time biofuel champions who are continuing their push to bring consumer savings to drivers, and a President who has already prioritized consumer access to lower-cost fuel with E15. This bill would bring long-overdue certainty to the marketplace, save consumers money, drive growth across the heartland, and reinforce American energy dominance.
“The American people have waited for too long to get reliable access to a fuel that can lower costs while creating jobs in rural communities. We look forward to continuing our work with our champions in Congress and the White House to finally make year-round E15 the law of the land.”
About E15
E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 3,700 gas stations in 33 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.
Nationwide adoption of E15 would save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American families, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. GDP. Learn more about E15 here.
About E15 Restrictions and Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)
E15 sales are restricted in the summertime in most of the country because of outdated fuel regulations on evaporative emissions that were crafted more than 20 years before EPA approved the use of E15. In an amendment to the Clean Air Act in 1990, Congress specified that fuel with 10% ethanol (E10 or regular) could be sold year-round to encourage the use of bioethanol-blended fuels, which save consumers money and provide significant reductions in tailpipe emissions.
This Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for E10, however, predated the introduction of higher ethanol blends like E15, which have an even lower RVP. Despite having lower emissions and lower prices than E10, E15 cannot be sold in the majority of states during the summer months without the issuance of emergency waivers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A year-round E15 bill would correct this regulatory error and give fuel retailers the ability to sell E15 all year long.
Learn more here.