Ethanol Blog

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Last week White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the administration continues to look for ways to lower gasoline prices.

This week Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor asked the administration to find a way to restore year-round E15 sales that ended with a federal court decision that vacated a Trump administration rule.

The Supreme Court rejected an industry petition to hear the E15 case, meaning the EPA would need to take new action to restore year-round sales ahead of the summer driving season beginning in June.

In a letter to the White House this week, Skor said biofuels should be an "essential part" of the nation's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign oil and to cut emissions.

"However, without immediate action to keep lower cost, lower emission biofuels available year-round, like fuel with 15% ethanol, these benefits will be in jeopardy as summer travel begins," Skor said in the letter.

"Biofuels like ethanol are renewable, low-carbon fuels which provide significant economic advantages for tens of millions of American consumers. On average, E15 sells for upwards of 10 cents less per gallon compared to conventional gasoline. In fact, shifting standard gasoline blends from 10% ethanol to 15% ethanol would generate $12.2 billion in savings for U.S. consumers at the pump each year."

Skor said E15 is ready for expansion as more than 2,500 gas stations in 31 states are selling higher blends including E15. The use of E15 in high-ozone regions of the country continues to be restricted between June and September.

"Without immediate action from the Environmental Protection Agency, E15 and the price advantages which accompany this fuel are at risk of being pulled from retail stations as early as late spring," Skor said in the letter.

"During a time of high gasoline prices, it is more important than ever that higher blends of biofuels be made available to consumers year-round. Your administration and EPA must encourage the use of E15 and higher blends of ethanol by allowing for the year-round sale of these fuels. By removing remaining regulatory hurdles and providing greater access to E15, you can help keep fuel prices in check for American consumers and ease concerns about fuel supply."

Read the letter: https://growthenergy.org/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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