It’s been well-documented that the Environmental Protection Agency is working to complete a rule by the summer driving season that would allow year-round E15 sales.
The USDA is worried about the work being completed on time.
According to a DTN report, the USDA says the EPA would have to use some discretion in restricting E15 use if the rule isn’t ready to roll out by June 1.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky says the EPA is working hard and is very committed to getting a new rule in place and announced in time for the summer driving season.
“I know that the EPA has some enforcement discretion,” Censky says.
“They could announce that they won’t force folks to stop selling E15 in several states and that retailers won’t have to worry about having enforcement actions taken against them.”
For years, the ethanol industry has urged EPA to equalize the Reid Vapor Pressure regulations between E10 and E15. Because of those regulations, E15 has been largely unavailable to retailers for sale during the summer months.
The industry contends that adding five percent more ethanol to the nation’s fuel supply during the summer driving season would be helpful in reducing tailpipe emissions even further.