The Biden administration announced Thursday that starting in 2025, eight states will be able to sell gasoline with increased ethanol content year-round.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule After proposing year-round sales in 2023, the use of the fuel would be delayed by a year compared to the agency’s original proposal.
Gasoline sold in the United States consists of a mixture of petroleum and other ingredients, such as ethanol, but ethanol typically does not make up more than 10% of the mixture.
However, some gasoline is made up of about 15% ethanol, known as E15. In most parts of the country, this type of gasoline cannot be sold in the summer due to concerns about smog in hot weather.
Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin will now be allowed to use it any time this year, starting April 28, 2025.
Support in some of these states could be crucial for President Biden as he seeks re-election this fall.
The move is a victory for governors in those states, who had requested E15 to be available year-round in 2022. Some of these states also later sued the EPA over this issue.
The move also benefits corn and biofuel producers, allowing them to sell more product throughout the year.
“EPA’s decision finally allows retailers in these eight states to sell E15 year-round,” said Jeff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, a biofuels lobbying group. said in a written statement.
But Mr Cooper said the decision created “uncertainty and confusion about whether low-cost, low-carbon E15 will be available next summer” and complained about the one-year delay.
The move has long been supported by lawmakers representing corn-producing states, especially in the summer of 2022, when gasoline prices reached record highs in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Last March, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced legislation that would make fuel available year-round, with Klobuchar saying, “It’s important to diversify and invest in affordable energy.” solution. ”
In a statement after the EPA rule was released, Fisher maintained that the bill remains necessary, saying it is “geographically limited and remains complicated by unnecessary delays until 2025.” [E15’s] Sale. “
Environmental opponents denounced the EPA’s decision.
Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Safe Climate Transportation Campaign, said: “Allowing gasoline with more ethanol will make the fuel mixture evaporate more easily, increase smog pollution and make people sicker with asthma. More kids will become like that,” he told The Hill via email. The group has previously criticized ethanol for contributing to air pollution.
Fuel refiners also oppose the change, saying it is too rapid.
“Even with at least a two-year lead time, this change will reduce overall supply, increase costs and make the region more vulnerable to supply disruptions,” the Fuels and Petrochemicals Association of Japan said in a statement. said Patrick Kelly, Senior Director of Vehicle Policy. The manufacturer said in a statement:
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