IRFA Thanks Trump and EPA for Emergency Summer E15 Waiver

Waiver protects current retailers, but only permanent solution by Congress will grow E15 demand

Press Contact: Hannah Love

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WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced today the agency will approve a bipartisan request from Midwest governors to grant an emergency waiver ensuring E15 can continue to be sold throughout the country this summer. Faced with higher fuel prices and restricted supplies from the Middle East, the action ensures consumers can continue to save with E15. Without a waiver, outdated regulations make it difficult for retailers to offer E15 from June through mid-September.

"Iowa Renewable Fuels Association members thank President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for granting the emergency waiver," said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. "With rising fuel prices and a war in the Middle East, this is the worst time to force retailers to bag E15 pumps. E15 adds home-grown supply and reduces prices for consumers."

On March 9, Iowa Governor Reynolds led a letter with six of her colleagues calling for emergency waivers to protect consumers from shrinking fuel supplies. Renewable fuels trade groups located in these states also sent a letter supporting the governors' request.

Most E15 retailers added the fuel choice after President Trump authorized E15 via EPA regulation during his first term, but before an oil industry lawsuit got the rule thrown out on a technicality. While today's emergency waiver will keep current E15 stations pumping the higher blend, Shaw emphasized the continued need for a permanent E15 fix to spur expanded ethanol demand.

"President Trump has done what he can for consumers and E15, but the emergency waiver is a temporary solution," Shaw added. "Only Congress can provide a permanent E15 fix and it's beyond time for them to act. New retailers won't offer E15 without the certainty they can sell the home-grown fuel all 12 months of the year. Consumers deserve the lower-cost option of E15. Farmers need the added demand from more ethanol use. And our country needs every drop of ethanol possible as the current conflict in the Middle East hits home of the cost of dependence on countries that don't like us much. Congress must act quickly to pass year-round, nationwide E15."

For more information about year-round E15, click here .

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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 5 billion gallons annually - including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 8 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 408 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org .