In a long-awaited move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally ruled on a request from eight Midwestern governors to allow year-round sales of E15. However, the EPA’s final rule comes with a significant delay, pushing implementation from 2024 to 2025 and making it two and a half years late. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw expressed mixed sentiments, saying, “Obviously, we’re glad there’s a final rule implementing the governors’ action under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15. But the last-minute delay in implementation means motorists face fewer options and higher prices at the pump this summer. This further delay is unnecessary and unjustified.” The eight governors had submitted their requests in April 2022, with the EPA legally required to respond within 90 days. However, almost a year later, the agency waited until March 2023 to propose approval. The draft rule was not sent to the Office of Management and Budget for inter-agency review until December 2023. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a key figure in pushing for year-round E15, expressed frustration at the EPA’s delays. She says, “After continuous delays by the EPA to allow year-round sales of E15 fuel, consumers across the country can finally look forward to lower-cost, cleaner-burning year-round E15 in 2025. Nearly two years ago, I organized a bipartisan coalition of eight Midwest governors to join me in challenging the EPA’s refusal to allow E15 sales during summer months. Finally, our request is approved, however, the EPA’s unjustified delays come at a cost for drivers and the environment.” Reynolds intends to pursue a waiver to allow summer sales of E-15 in Iowa this year. Various political figures, including U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, welcomed the EPA’s decision but criticized the delayed implementation until 2025.
