By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a one-year delay in expanding sales of E15 ethanol fuel in South Dakota and Ohio. The decision follows a request from the two states, which were initially part of an eight-state petition to permit year-round sales of the fuel blend.
The EPA had previously set an April 28 implementation date for allowing E15 sales throughout the Midwest. However, states had until February 26 to request a delay. As a result, the expansion will proceed in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, while South Dakota and Ohio opted to postpone their participation.
The E15 expansion is designed to provide consumers with more fuel choices during the summer months when E15 is typically restricted.
Biofuel producers have long advocated for broader ethanol adoption but prefer a national approach instead of a region-specific policy. Similarly, the American Petroleum Institute has expressed concerns that a fragmented ethanol market could create supply chain disruptions.
Kansas, although not initially part of the eight-state petition, had also submitted a request for a temporary Gasoline Volatility Waiver for the upcoming summer. “Earlier this month, (Kansas Governor Laura Kelly) expressed continued interest in a temporary Gasoline Volatility Waiver for the upcoming summer months as she has in previous years,” said Grace Hoge, a spokesperson for Governor Kelly.
While the delay affects ethanol expansion in two states, discussions about a federal-level policy continue as stakeholders push for a more uniform approach to fuel regulations.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-dickgage
Categories: National