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EPA explains year-round E15 timing

There’s an explanation for why the EPA delayed implementation of year-round E15 for eight midwestern states until next year, and then granted an emergency order allowing E15 sales this summer in those same states. 

EPA’s agriculture advisor Rod Snyder says there’s a reason implementing the permanent rule was delayed. “The refiners will actually have to change the blend stock for those eight states. That does require some time to implement, which is why that was delayed until next year. The emergeny waiver will allow all 50 states to continue selling the exact same grade of blend stock gasoline that’s on the rack now.”

Snyder says in 2025, the eight midwestern states will have the green light to sell year-round E15, but the other 42 states might lose their ability to sell E15 in the summertime.  He says they can also petition EPA to make the same Reid Vapor Pressure waiver.

Snyder says there’s only so much EPA can do by law under the Clean Air Act. “It’s really either the state-by-state solution, or the emergency waiver solution. Anything else would require an act by Congress.”

EPA granted the petition by eight Midwestern Governors in late February, allowing year-round sales of E15, but delayed implementation until 2025.  Then on April 19^th, the agency issued an emergency order allowing E15 sales to continue in those states after June 1^st. The states now cleared for summertime E15 sales under the emergency order are Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

Snyder made his comments during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Washington Watch Tuesday.