EPA Will Issue Summer Waivers for Accessing Higher Ethanol Blends

April 29, 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) praised the decision.

“This waiver will help corn growers and rural communities while saving consumers at the pump during a busy driving season,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We are deeply appreciative of President Trump and the EPA for making year-round access to E15 a priority.”

Due to an outdated regulation, E15 cannot be sold at terminals beginning on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. But the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to temporarily waive these regulatory requirements to address pressing concerns, such as fuel shortages.

In response to concerns from Midwestern governors, EPA also took action to waive provisions that would have hindered the sale of E10 gasoline in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Higher blends of ethanol have been shown to lower the price of fuels.

President Trump has said he supports permanent year-round access to the biofuel, which would provide greater certainty and eliminate the need for regulatory action.  

NCGA is working with allies, including the petroleum industry, on federal legislation that would provide permanent, year-round access to E15.

Source: NCGA