Growth Energy, the nation’s leading association of ethanol producers and supporters, filed comments with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of a proposed rule allowing year-round sales of E15 – gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol.
In Growth Energy’s formal comments to the agency, CEO Emily Skor said that drivers typically save up to 10 cents per gallon while also benefitting from E15’s higher octane rating. The formal comments echoed Skor’s testimony at the EPA’s hearing on the proposed rule in March alongside farmers, retailers and ethanol producers supporting the rule.
She also called for approval of E15 by June 1, in time for summer travel season. Any later, Skor warned, could lead to disruption of the E15 supply and distribution system.
“Unless the EPA acts quickly, the summer market for E15 will be lost, which means higher fuel prices for consumers and another devastating blow to America’s rural workforce,” said Skor. “We cannot afford to let anything derail this opportunity to help revitalize growth in the heartland and urge regulators to get this rule over the finish line by June 1, just as President Trump directed.”
EPA will now review the submitted comments and finalize the rule. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the new rule, if approved, will be in place before the start of the summer driving season.
With the recent addition of E15 to its pump offerings of a Murphy’s USA station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the fuel is now available in 31 U.S. states. E15 is known to consumers as Unleaded 88.
Growth Energy represents producers and supporters of ethanol whose aim is to bring consumers better choices at the fuel pump, grow America’s economy and improve the environment for future generations.