Midwest states seek waiver to sell E15 gas

DES MOINES — Governors from eight Midwest states including Iowa asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday for a permanent waiver that will allow each state to continue selling a higher blend of ethanol gas year-round without restriction.

The EPA's decision last week to suspend restrictions of summer sales of the lower-carbon, lower-cost E15 gasoline is temporary and only applies to the 2022 summer driving season.

E15 is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.

The bipartisan group of governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin sent the joint letter to EPA Administrator Michael Reagan.

"This letter sends the clear message that renewable fuels are the immediate solution to high gas prices, lower emissions, and restoring our energy independence, and we are proud to stand up and take this historic action," said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The Renewable Fuels Association, which promotes use of ethanol, embraced the states' action.

"These governors should be applauded for pursuing a simple regulatory solution that will allow consumers in their states to benefit from E15's lower cost and lower emissions 365 days a year," said Geoff Cooper, the association's president and chief executive officer. "Once this notification is approved by EPA, it will mean lower pump prices for drivers in these eight states, lower tailpipe pollution, a more secure energy supply, and a more vibrant rural economy."

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden traveled to corn-rich Iowa to announce that his administration will temporarily allow E15 gas, which is blended with 15 percent ethanol instead of the more typical 10 percent blend, to be sold this summer to help ease gas prices. Biden administration officials said the action will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon based on current prices.

But just 2,300 gas stations out of the nation's more than 100,000 offer it. The affected stations are mostly in the Midwest and the South, including Texas, according to industry groups.