Iowa officials praise E15 summer waiver

Iowa Republicans on Friday praised the federal Environmental Protection Administration for allowing the sale of a E15 fuel nationwide this summer, but it’s something they’d like to see become permanent.

The sale of E15 fuel, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, is generally prohibited in the summer because of environmental concerns.

But Iowa’s congressional delegation and state officeholders implored the EPA to lift that restriction this year, arguing the fuel lowers emissions and its availability will ease fuel costs nationwide.

The blend is generally about 10 cents cheaper per gallon than gasoline or lower ethanol blends.

The EPA issued the rule Friday, saying the move would bring down fuel costs for Americans and help ease a supply crisis worsened by the war in Ukraine.

Without the waiver, E15 could not have been sold as of Monday.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa Democratic governor, said in a tweet the decision is “not only proof of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to homegrown, renewable biofuels, but also to creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic growth, particularly in rural communities.”

More than 300 Iowa gas stations offer E15, and that is likely to rise under a law Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed last year mandating most gas stations in the state offer E15 by 2026.

“This is a huge win for Iowa farmers and our ethanol industry and proves that even our biggest adversaries can’t ignore the advantage biofuels brings to our country’s economy and national security,” Reynolds said in a statement Friday. “Now all Americans will have access to cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel this summer!”

Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst urged the administration to make the waiver permanent.

“NEXT STEP: Let’s stop relying on emergency waivers and make this permanent,” she said in a tweet Friday.

“This is great news. It is going to save families money at the pump,” Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, told reporters during a weekly conference call Friday. “It will help with … energy security in our country and, of course, supporting our Iowa economy.”

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Hinson thanked the Biden administration and said she will continue to push for E15 to be sold year-round “so that our hardworking farmers and producers have much-needed certainty.”

In a statement, Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra, whose northwest Iowa district is the top ethanol-producing district in the country, commended the decision, but said it was unnecessarily delayed.

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“While this is welcome news for our farmers and families, the Biden Administration delayed this announcement for far too long when a swift approval would have provided certainty and relief for Iowans and Americans everywhere,” he said.

The EPA in March announced plans to permanently allow year-round sales of E15 in eight Midwestern states, including Iowa, but not until 2024. Iowa officials bristled at the delay and argued a waiver should be granted for this summer as well.

In March, Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird joined with the Nebraska attorney general in sending an intent-to-sue letter to the EPA, warning of legal action if the agency did not allow the sale in 2023.

Tom Barton of The Gazette’s Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report.

Comments: cmccullough@qctimes.com