(Washington, D.C., April 28, 2025)- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is issuing an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 gasoline — gasoline blended with 15% ethanol — nationwide during the summer driving season. By doing so, EPA will keep E15 on the market giving consumers more options across the nation. This is consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, directing the EPA to consider issuing emergency waivers to allow for year-round E15 sales.
“President Trump’s commitment to farmers and the Renewable Fuels Standard has been a cornerstone to his leadership. In my confirmation hearing, I pledged to establish certainty when it came to the sale of E15 year-round. Promises made, promises kept,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency action today to allow uninterrupted E15 sales this summer will help American drivers save at the pump, strengthen the rural economy, and support energy independence, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The RFA thanked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the White House for issuing the waivers, saying the move fulfills President Trump’s Day One commitment in his second term to ethanol producers and farmers.
“On his first day in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency and identified year-round E15 as a solution for extending fuel supplies and reducing pump prices,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “With geopolitical conflict roiling energy markets worldwide, we applaud President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for acting quickly to combat potential fuel shortages and help keep a lid on gas prices this summer. Allowing uninterrupted sales of E15 will help boost gasoline supplies, bolster the farm economy, and protect air quality. We also appreciate the efforts of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, several key governors, and the many ethanol supporters in Congress who worked together to promote continued access to E15.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued the following statement in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency approval of the summer sale of E-15 saying “President Trump is committed to lowering energy prices by unleashing American energy production, and it all starts with U.S. farmers. This move to allow the summer sale of E-15 will provide immediate relief to consumers, provide more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America. Our nation’s great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence which is essential to national security.” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “I thank Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to implement this emergency fuel waiver and his continued commitment to U.S. famers and the U.S. biofuels industry. At USDA we look forward to our continued partnership with EPA and are working diligently to increase our energy dominance in the U.S. and abroad by expanding market access for American biofuels on the world stage.”
The waiver also allows E10 to exceed the 1-pound RVP waiver, so consistent and uniform fuel specifications for both E10 and E15 are applied nationwide this summer. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the statement below following the announcement saying that “We welcome the Trump administration’s decision to issue an emergency waiver for E15 this summer. Once again, this action will help alleviate fuel costs for drivers while reducing tailpipe emissions at a time when both economic and environmental concerns remain top of mind.
Jennings added that “ACE made year-round E15 access a top priority during our DC Fly-In last month, and we’re grateful to our members and Congressional champions who continue to advocate on this issue. Last year, EPA finalized a rule to allow permanent, year-round E15 sales in some Midwest states starting today — thanks to strong leadership from state governors and persistent grassroots pressure from our industry. Nevertheless, emergency waivers and a patchwork of state-specific rules are a temporary remedy, and we badly need a permanent fix to allow E15 year-round on a nationwide basis. It is long past time Congress takes action. We came incredibly close to getting the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act across the finish line at the end of 2024, and now Congress must finish the job and guarantee Americans year-round access to E15. Particularly during a time of tariff-related trade disruptions, uninterrupted market access to E15 is essential to supporting corn demand and improving farm income. Enacting legislation to allow E15 nationwide access will save families money at the pump, increase domestic fuel production, strengthen U.S. energy security, boost the farm economy, reduce tailpipe pollution, and bring long-overdue certainty to fuel markets for retailers and refiners alike.”
Today, more than 95% of all U.S. vehicles are approved to use E15 and over 4,000 retail sites offer E15 across 33 states. E15 typically costs 5 to 25 cents per gallon less than E10 and 40 cents to $1.00 less than non-ethanol gasoline. With a higher-octane rating and lower emissions profile, E15 gives consumers the ability to choose a higher quality, cleaner-burning fuel at a better price.
Growth Energy applauded the Trump administration’s decision to grant the summer E-15 waiver. “We’re grateful to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to lift a needless barrier standing between the American people and lower-cost E15,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This outcome is also thanks to USDA Secretary Rollins’ support for year-round E15 and homegrown fuels, and the governors, senators, and representatives in both parties whose advocacy for American drivers and farmers helped make this happen.”
Skor added that “EPA’s decision is a step toward greater American energy dominance. This will put more American fuel in the marketplace, allow Americans to spend less of their hard-earned money at the pump this summer, give fuel retailers the clarity and certainty they need, and protect a critical market for American farmers,” Skor continued. “With a temporary waiver in place, our bipartisan champions in Congress and the White House can focus on passing permanent legislation that provides unrestricted access to E15 – all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.”
Joshua Shields, POET Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, issued a statement regarding the news saying that “POET is grateful to President Trump for continuing access to affordable, American-made fuel. Now it’s time to find a permanent legislative solution guaranteeing all Americans access to year-round E15. At a time when farmers are facing market uncertainty and numerous challenges, we need to open new domestic demand that higher biofuel blends create. E15 reduces America’s reliance on foreign oil, lowers prices at the pump, and supports farming families across rural America. It is a true win for consumers nationwide.”
Also, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement in response saying that “Today’s E15 announcement by the Trump Administration is a win for consumers across the U.S. and farmers here in Iowa. I want to thank President Trump, Administrator Zeldin and Secretary Rollins for making E15 available to drivers during the busy summer travel season. Iowa drivers saved $38.5 million in 2024 by choosing E15 over E10, and now drivers across the country can also take advantage of similar cost-savings at the pump. This decision is a big step toward making our country more energy dominant, independent, and secure. Ultimately, we need Congress to provide certainty and predictability to the industry by passing legislation to make E15 permanently available year-round. Consumers would benefit from more affordable and cleaner burning fuel options, our farmers would enjoy stronger corn markets, and our nation-leading ethanol industry would expand, creating more jobs in rural Iowa.”
