EPA Moves to Permit Year-Round Sales of E15 Gasoline

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed regulation to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol) year-round. Currently, the EPA prohibits the sale of E15 between June 1 and Sept. 15 due to concerns that higher blends of ethanol, combined with warmer temperatures, may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog.

The EPA’s rulemaking is an effort to increase the availability of E15, as ethanol supporters maintain that few gas stations sell the fuel since E15 could only be legally sold for part of the year, according to SEMA Action Network (SAN).

The EPA has turned to sales of E15 to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard’s mandates, by blending large volumes of ethanol into gasoline.

“SEMA opposes this proposed rulemaking and the expansion of E15 sales,” the association stated in a news release. “Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001. It is important that the EPA hears from SEMA members and automotive enthusiasts who oppose the expanded sales of E15.”