Regulatory Hurdles Keep E15 Growth on Hold

Year-round E15 remains stalled. Ron Lamberty, senior vice president, American Coalition for Ethanol, blames outdated rules and industry hesitation. Lamberty argues consumers consistently choose E15 when it is available because it is less expensive, calling it a missed opportunity for farmers and fuel retailers. “Stations that sell it, it’s their best-selling product.” Lamberty noted that station owners are reluctant to make fuel changes when the rules fluctuate. “E15 is actually a lower Reid vapor pressure product than E10 is.” During the first Trump administration, the EPA ruled in favor of the 15 percent ethanol blend, but it immediately faced litigation from the American Petroleum Institute, which resulted in the need for an annual emergency exemption.” He added that uncertainty around labeling and summer restrictions continues to deter fuel retailers, saying, “It just doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot for a station owner.”