New York State approves sale of E15 fuel

The move opens the U.S.’ fourth largest gasoline market to the ethanol-blended fuel.

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets has approved E15 sales within the state. The move will soon open the nation’s fourth largest gasoline market to sales of the fuel blend.

The rulemaking comes nearly a nine years after the U.S. EPA first issued a waiver allowing E15 to be used as fuel in certain vehicles and less than two months after the agency took action to allow E15 to be sold year-round. E15 can currently be used to fuel model year 2001 and newer vehicles, reports Biofuels International.

Welcoming the news, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said: “It’s exciting to see New York regulators finalise this vital update, and we thank Governor Cuomo and the Department of Agriculture and Markets for giving Empire State motorists access to cleaner, more affordable choices at the pump.

By transitioning from E10 to E15, New York would lower carbon emissions by 748,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of removing approximately 129,400 vehicles from New York’s roads, according to Skor.

Last month US drivers surpassed 11 billion miles driven on E15 fuel, with adoption rates continuing to rise following the EPA’s approval of year-round sales of the fuel.