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E15 bill would remove Michigan’s split state regulations  

The Michigan House Agriculture Committee Chair says new legislation would allow sales of E15 gas year-round.

Representative Jerry Neyer tells Brownfield split state regulations currently prevent eight counties from selling E15 during the summer unless waivers are granted.

“It was done for pollution efforts put in place back in the 90s,” he says. “The car efficiencies and the way that the pollutants that are in the air have reduced so much there that there’s virtually no effect when you switch from one to the other.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a state of energy emergency in April to waive gasoline restrictions, and it was extended by the Michigan legislature through September 15 to help reduce consumer fuel costs.

The Republican-backed bill would amend Michigan’s Motor Fuels Quality Act to align state gasoline standards with the federal Clean Air Act and federal regulations.

Neyer says he’s optimistic the bill can help drivers save up to 30 cents a gallon during the summer.

House Bill 6281 has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Brownfield interviewed Neyer during the Great Lakes Sustainable Fuel Symposium in Detroit on Wednesday.