Federal Action on E15 Provides Timely Boost For Lower-Cost Fuel Options

Burnsville, March 27 - The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) welcomes new actions from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) related to biofuels, including an emergency waiver allowing the year-round sale of E15 in 2026 and updated renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Brian Werner, Executive Director of the MN Bio-Fuels, issued the following statement:

"The announcements this week on biofuels from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are a win for Minnesotans.

The emergency waiver for the year-round sale of E15 in 2026 is great news for Minnesota ethanol producers and consumers across the country. E15 delivers real savings at the pump, and expanding access will help relieve the strain on family budgets as gas prices continue to rise. While year-round access to E15 helps immediately, the reality is that emergency waivers are temporary and Congress must resolve this annual uncertainty by making year-round E15 permanent.

At the same time, setting robust renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2026 and 2027 will provide immediate stability in renewable fuel markets and a path for growth in renewable fuel production. In order to fully support farmers and renewable fuel producers, we would have liked to see this decision reallocate 100 percent of the renewable fuel gallons lost to small refinery exemptions between 2023-2025. We thank the administration for setting the highest volumes in history, and our bipartisan delegation, including Senators Klobuchar and Smith, and Representatives Emmer, Craig, Fischbach, and Finstad for pushing to set historic volumes and reallocate most of the gallons lost to small refinery exemptions.

Every gallon of ethanol blended into gasoline displaces a gallon of petroleum, makes us less dependent on imports from volatile regions and contested shipping lanes around the globe, and most importantly - lowers prices at the pump for consumers. Together, these federal actions will help mitigate concerns about gasoline affordability and supply while helping support rural communities and the farm economy."

E15, a gasoline blend with 15 percent ethanol often marketed as Unleaded 88,offers a lower-cost option for drivers. A recent study found Minnesota consumers saved $24.7 million in 2024 alone by choosing E15, with $79.5 million in total savings since 2013.

The full study, Cumulative Effects of E15 Sales to Minnesota Consumers, is available here.