Ethanol Blog

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- With the threat of Iran potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz in the ongoing conflict with Israel, the head of the Renewable Fuels Association asked President Donald Trump to make regulatory changes to allow more E15 to be sold across the country.

About 20% of the world's oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz so closing it can affect oil supply and prices.

The ethanol industry continues to push for a legislative fix to allow permanent, year-round E15 sales nationally.

In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper asked the administration to take several deregulatory steps to allow E15 to be stored and distributed in existing pumps.

"Last year, you confirmed that your vision is to let fueling stations 'use the existing pumps' to distribute E15," Cooper said in the letter. "We wholeheartedly support that vision and believe now is the time to act, given the potential for price spikes at the pump."

Cooper asked Trump to "immediately eliminate" all E15 misfuelling mitigation plan requirements and to adopt a requirement that retail gasoline stations offering E15 for sale must also continue to make E0 or E10 available in at least one "clearly marked" dispenser at stations.

Cooper said the administration needs to establish a "presumption of E15 compatibility" for all fuel dispensers, underground storage tanks to include piping and all other underground components, as well as hoses and nozzles installed after 1998.

"Given the overwhelming body of evidence demonstrating the full E15 compatibility of this equipment, these systems should be deemed compliant with all applicable infrastructure compatibility regulations and requirements," Cooper said in the letter.

The letter also calls on the administration to continue issuing emergency fuel waivers through Sept. 15, 2025, which allows E15 to use the same 1-psi Reid vapor pressure volatility tolerance that is offered to E10.

Cooper also asks for the administration to provide a "safe-harbor provision" absolving retailers "who act in good faith and follow EPA guidelines" of any liability related to "extremely unlikely" incidents involving accidental mis-fueling or equipment failure.

"While there have been no documented cases of E15 causing or contributing to equipment failures, leaks, or other issues, a safe harbor will provide retailers with the assurance they need to quickly begin offering E15 in existing equipment," Cooper said.

Among the requests is for the administration to provide technical assistance for state and local authorities to make changes that allow E15 to be distributed in existing infrastructure.

"Moreover, the real-world experience with E15 over the past 13 years has shown that early concerns about possible misfuelling or equipment issues were grossly overblown," Cooper wrote.

"Since 2012, more than 5.5 billion gallons of E15 have been sold and American drivers have logged more than 125 billion miles using the fuel -- all without a single documented case of misfuelling, equipment failure, or vehicle performance issues. Knocking down regulatory barriers and allowing E15 to be stored and distributed in existing infrastructure will lower fuel costs for Americans and strengthen the market's resilience against global supply disruptions."

Read more on DTN:

"Trump Administration Grants E15 Summer Waiver," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

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

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