EPA Extends E15 Fuel Waiver through early August


   
    

    

   OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) --- The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday 
(7/18) extended the temporary waiver under the authority of the Clean Air Act 
allowing for the continued sale of E15 gasoline sales nationwide through Aug. 8.

   The waiver was first granted in April, with EPA in its most recent renewal 
citing strong gasoline demand, which it stated as of July 5 was approximately 
5% above the five-year average, as one of its reasons for the latest extension.

   Effective May 1 at the wholesale level and June 1 at the retail level, 
ethanol blended into conventional gasoline is permitted a maximum 10% 
concentration level through mid-September. Ethanol increases the emissions 
volatility in gasoline during the summer driving season above fuel 
specification requirements established by EPA under CAA known as the Reid vapor 
pressure rate. Gasoline with a 10% concentration of ethanol is granted a 1psi 
RVP waiver permitting its use during the summer season. E15 is not granted the 
1psi RVP waiver, so retailers do not sell E15 gasoline during the summer 
driving season.

   EPA can provide 20-day temporary waivers from environmental requirements if 
doing so addresses an emergency, which the agency did for the previous two 
summer driving seasons.




(c) Copyright 2024 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.