Ethanol makers ask EPA for rules change to aid E15
An ethanol trade group says the EPA can open the door to year-round sales of E15 – a 15 percent blend of ethanol into gasoline – and the eventual use of even higher blends such as E20 or E25 if it would “eliminate an arcane regulatory barrier.”
In a letter, the Renewable Fuels Association asked the agency to require petroleum refiners to slightly lower the volatility of gasoline produced for use during the summer. At present, the EPA allows E10, the traditional 10-percent blend of ethanol, a waiver from its rules on vapors rising from gasoline. There is no similar waiver for higher ethanol blends, said RFA, which discourages the sale of E15 during the summer when warm weather boosts vapor pressure.
“This would ensure that retailers can freely offer E15 to conventional automobiles year-round. It would also clear the way for higher-level ethanol blends like E20 or E25,” said RFA. It says the change would add six-tenths of a penny to the price of a gallon of fuel, which could be offset by using more ethanol.
In the biofuel mandate for 2016, the EPA said estimated renewable fuels would account for 10.1 percent of gasoline consumption, the first time the biofuels target would exceed the so-called blend wall created by the traditional 10-percent blend. EPA official Janet McCabe said increased use of E15 and E85 would allow the industry to move past the blend wall.