Representatives in both houses of Congress yesterday introduced companion bills to restore year-round sales of E15 biofuel after a July 2 ruling by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a 2019 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that lifted outdated restrictions on the summertime sale of E15, a 15% ethanol blended fuel, also known as Unleaded/Regular 88 (UNL88).
In the Senate, the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was introduced by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
In the House, the bipartisan Year-Round Fuel Choice Act was introduced by Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.). Both measures will ensure the continued availability of low-carbon 15% ethanol fuel blends (E15) in all fuel markets year-round.
The legislation would permanently extend the 1.0 psi summertime Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to ethanol blends beyond E10, thus eliminating any seasonal restrictions on sales.
The Year-Round Fuel Choice Act is supported by industry advocates including Growth Energy and The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).
