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Last year, the governors of the eight states petitioned the federal
government with a request to opt out of the regulatory waiver that
allows for regular E10 gasoline to be sold during summer months.
The governors tied their request to a provision under the Clean Air
Act, giving the Environmental Protection Agency 90 days to formally
respond and implement the change by July 2022, a deadline that was
missed.
Officials said removing the waiver would allow E15 and E10 to be
made using the same gasoline blend stock, and would help expand the
availability year round of E15 in multiple jurisdictions.
Illinois corn farmers and the ethanol industry are also concerned
the year delay will have an impact on market certainty and request
action be taken to ensure E15 remains an option in this summer’s
fuel market.
“An emergency waiver for summer E15 would give consumers the option
of lower cost fuel during the warmer months,” Illinois Corn Growers
Association President Matt Rush said in a statement.
Patrick Kelly, senior director of Fuel & Vehicle Policy with the
American Fuels and Petrochemicals Manufacturers, said there are
additional costs to produce, store and distribute a so-called
“boutique” Midwestern gasoline.
“The total incremental cost to supply this new boutique gasoline
ranges from $500 million to $800 million each year, and a disruption
could push costs to $1.1 billion,” Kelly testified to the EPA.
Kelly said the Midwest would rely more heavily on supply from Gulf
Coast refineries and would be cut off from receiving available
supplies from neighboring states. In the event of a hurricane, or
other extreme circumstance, gasoline shortages in the Midwest could
be more frequent.
The EPA enforces summertime regulations preventing ethanol blends to
be sold because of concerns of smog.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois
for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio
news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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