USA: Gas stations to resume offering E15 in September

The ethanol industry is celebrating the ability of fuel retail stations to again offer E15 to customers for use in all 2001 and newer vehicles beginning Sept. 16.

Retailers are largely prohibited from selling E15 from June 1 through Sept. 15 because the fuel blend is not currently covered by the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver that allows E10 to be sold during that same timeframe. Efforts are currently underway to extend the RVP waiver to E15.

As reported by Ethanol Producer Magazine, Growth Energy has pointed out that the EPA has failed to account for the fact that higher ethanol blends are less volatile. According to Growth Energy, the E15 is currently being offered by approximately 330 fuel retail locations in 26 states.

"Tomorrow is a day to celebrate consumer choice," said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. "Motorists across the country will have the choice to fill up with a high performance, high octane fuel that is less expensive and has tremendous environmental and health benefits.

Ron Lamberty, senior vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol, indicated the RVP regulation makes offering E15 less attractive to some retailers.

This rule is preventing gas station owners from offering E15 to their customers, because they don't want the hassle of changing fuel blends twice a year or telling regular E15 customers they can't use it during the three months of the year people travel most," he said.