The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced April 28 that it will again allow summertime sales of E15 gasoline nationwide, the second year of such waivers.
The EPA attributed the decision to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating the decision "will provide Americans with relief at the pump" by increasing domestic fuel production and supply, as well as consumers' fuel options. On average, E15 fuel, which is blended with 15% ethanol, is approximately 25 cents per gallon cheaper than E10, according to the news release.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release that the sale of E15 fuel during the summer driving season "will not only help increase fuel supply, but support American farmers, strengthen U.S. energy security, and provide relief to drivers across the country.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also praised the decision to allow the summer sale of E15 fuels in a statement released by the USDA.
“By allowing the summer sale of E15 at gas pumps nationwide," Vilsack said in the statement, "President Biden is supporting the creation of good-paying jobs and economic growth, particularly in rural and farm communities."
Vilsack also commended President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), stating the law allows the USDA to continue investing in infrastructure improvements through competitive grants to be announced "soon," statement reports. The infrastructure improvements will expand the availability of biofuels to "thousands more retailers" across the country, according to the statement.
The IRA also positions U.S. agriculture to be the leader in developing an industry able to produce low-carbon fuels for aviation and marine use; create more manufacturing jobs; and keep U.S. aviation "at the forefront of innovation," the statement reports.
"Through all of these actions, the Biden-Harris Administration demonstrates progress every day on behalf of consumers and farm communities across the nation,” Vilsack said in the statement.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has been the most supportive in our history for homegrown, renewable biofuels, which bolster American agriculture, expand people’s options for affordable fuel, strengthen our nation’s energy independence, and power the transportation sector that keeps our supply chains running," Vilsack stated.
