Contact: Cassidy Riley
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In Emergency Order, EPA Authorizes E15 for All 2001 and Newer Vehicles Today

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Responding to gasoline supply shortfalls and price spikes stemming from Hurricane Harvey, the U.S. EPA today took emergency action to authorize the sale of E15 to all 2001 and newer vehicles regardless of fuel volatility.

Due to a quirk in federal gasoline volatility regulations, E15 sales to non-flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are usually halted from June 1 to September 15. EPA has suspended the restrictive volatility regulation from now through September 15, after which the normal regulations allow for the sale of E15 to non-FFVs.

“Iowans feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices can save 5 to 10 cents per gallon by finding an E15 retailer near them,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Those with FFVs can really save money by choosing E85.”

E15 is a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol, just five percent more ethanol than the most commonly used fuel in the U.S., E10.  E15 is often sold at a 5 to 10-cent per gallon discount to E10, and is higher in octane which improves vehicle performance. E85 contains up to 85 percent ethanol and should only be used in flexible fuel vehicles.

“This is not the first time weather has severely impacted the Gulf Coast petroleum industry and caused economic pain to ripple across the country,” added Shaw. “This is, however, the first time EPA has taken action to allow ethanol to help expand fuel supplies and provide extra relief for motorists. President Trump and the EPA deserve credit for taking this common sense step. The ethanol industry is ready, willing, and – most importantly – able to help.”

Find fuel stations offering E15 near you by clicking here.

Find fuel stations offering E85 near you by clicking here.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4 billion gallons annually – including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 380 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

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