Fischer, Rounds support EPA’s proposed year-round sale of E15 gas

U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) this week welcomed a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the year-round sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15).

“Year-round sales of E15 would be a huge win for our state and I look forward to closely reviewing the full proposal to make certain this rule is a net positive for agriculture,” said Sen. Rounds, a member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Sen. Fischer, a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, said the EPA’s proposed rulemaking also would have a positive impact on her home-state’s farmers and ethanol producers.

“I’m pleased the administration is moving forward with this process,” said Sen. Fischer on Tuesday. “As I continue to review the details of the proposed rule, I plan to work with the administration to make sure all retailers in Nebraska and throughout the country can sell E15 year-round.”

The EPA on March 12 proposed regulatory changes to permit the year-round sale of E15 without the additional Reid Vapor Pressure control, rather than just eight months out of the year.

Additionally, the EPA proposed regulatory changes “to modify elements of the renewable identification number (RIN) compliance system under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program to enhance transparency in the market and deter price manipulation,” the agency said on Tuesday.

“Consistent with President Trump’s direction, EPA is working to propose and finalize these changes by the summer driving season,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. 

Sen. Rounds commended both Administrator Wheeler and President Donald Trump “for moving forward with their pledge to allow year-round sales of E15 ahead of this year’s summer driving season.”

The lawmaker said the proposed regulatory changes could result in roughly an additional 700 million gallons of ethanol or 280 million bushels of corn being sold every year. 

“As South Dakotans know, corn and corn ethanol production are vital components of our economy,” he said. “The corn ethanol industry supports thousands of jobs in our state and contributes a significant amount of revenue to our local communities.” 

Wheeler said the EPA will hold a public hearing at the end of March to gather “important feedback” on the agency’s proposed changes.