JOHNSTON, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds led a bipartisan group of eight Midwest governors in a letter to the EPA, officially exercising their authority to ensure E15 can be sold year round.

In an April 28 letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the governors said they want the authority to not only authorize the sale of E15 all year round, but to also authorize it on a state level.

“With no clear nationwide fix in sight, these governors decided it was time to take action on a state level, and protect access to a fuel that saves family pocketbooks, reduces smog-forming emissions, boosts farmer income, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions,” said Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director.

The governors were Reynolds (R-Iowa); Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.); JB Pritzker (D-Ill.); Laura Kelly (D-Kan.); Tim Walz (D-Minn.); Doug Burgum (R-N.D.); Kristi Noem (R-S.D.); and Tony Evers (D-Wis.)

“This action will help provide relief, flexibility, and certainty in the fuel market as we are seeing record-high gasoline prices in our states, and around the country,” the governors told Regan.

According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, these states represent more than 10 percent of all fuel sales, more than half of the nation’s E15 fueling stations, more than 70 percent of the nation’s ethanol plants, and nearly 70 percent of the corn grown in the United States. Currently, E15 is commonly priced 10 to 30 cents less per gallon than E10.

In the letter, the governors thanked Regan for exercising the EPA’s emergency waiver authority to waive the 9-psi Reid Vapor Pressure limitation for gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol for the 2022 summer ozone control season.

Reid Vapor Pressure is the volatility or tendency of a petroleum product to evaporate. The lower the number, the more stable the product. Reid Vapor Pressure is used to measure pressure regarding pounds per square inch (psi).

While this emergency Reid Vapor Pressure waiver will deliver economic relief and energy security benefits in the near term, the governors said a permanent solution allowing the year-round sale of E15 is also needed for long-term certainty.

Shaw said Reynolds led the bipartisan group of governors to protect E15 sales in the Midwest.

“This is a permanent fix for E15, and all higher ethanol blends,” he added. “The importance of (this) action cannot be overstated to the future growth of ethanol use in the United States.”

Under the Clean Air Act, governors have the authority to ask the EPA to equalize the summer regulations for E10 and E15.

Currently, E10 and E15 are regulated differently, allowing oil refiners to game the system by not supplying the proper gasoline to blend for summer E15, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

“While these governors are leading the way, it’s not too late for others to follow suit,” Shaw said. “States that don’t exercise their authority will see low-cost E15 forced out of their markets, and retailers will be hesitant to expand access in their states.”

Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol in Sioux Falls, S.D., said, “E15 is a low-cost, clean fuel blend, and losing access to this growing clean fuel market will only harm everyone through even higher pump prices, and greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions.

“The American Coalition for Ethanol stands by these governors as they pursue all options to ensure E15 – a clean and safe fuel with lower Reid Vapor Pressure emissions than E10 and straight gasoline – can be sold year-round for years to come,” he said.

Joshua Shields, senior vice president of government affairs and communications of POET, LLC, in Sioux Falls, S.D., said, “Skyrocketing gas prices underscore the need for year-round access to biofuel blends, like E15, that save money, lower emissions, and are made in America.”

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy in Washington, D.C., said, “The governors’ timely request to Administrator Regan would allow more drivers in their states to save money at the pump, and reduce vehicle emissions as we work toward a national permanent solution,” she said. “Our nation cannot let outdated regulations stand in the way of a clean energy future, and we look forward to the EPA’s affirmative response on this issue.”

Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association in Washington, D.C., said, “Once this notification is approved by the 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.

“These states have guided the way forward on E15, and we call on other states and the EPA to follow their lead so that the benefits of E15 can be permanently enjoyed by drivers across the nation,” he said.

Dan Tierney, press secretary for Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), said, “Ohio is currently evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of E15, which is not readily available in Ohio.”