EPA allows high-ethanol gasoline to be used all year

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Monday it will allow gasoline containing a higher percentage of ethanol to be used year-round.

The move follows President Trump’s energy emergency declaration, which required the EPA to consider allowing year-round high ethanol gas, known as E15. 

This type of gasoline is typically restricted in the summer due to concerns about smog — which can form more easily from evaporation in the heat.

However, the government can choose to issue a waiver to allow E15 gas nationwide in the summer. 

“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,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement, thanking the EPA for its decision. 

As of Monday, the nationwide average price for gasoline was a relatively low $3.15, down about 50 cents from this time last year.

During its tenure, the Biden administration also allowed E15 to be sold in the summer during 2022, 2023 and 2024 — as it faced high gasoline prices, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Gasoline is primarily made from oil, but is blended with other components including ethanol. E15 is 15 percent ethanol, while typical summer gasoline is 10 percent ethanol.

Agricultural interests have generally supported allowing for high-ethanol gas to be used year-round because it creates more demand for corn.