31 Mar Renew Kansas applauds governor Laura Kelly urging EPA to allow summertime sale of E15
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association efforts in urging Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to request the United States Environmental Protection Agency use an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 products this summer paid off as the governor submitted a letter to administrator Michael Regan yesterday.
The emergency waiver, which the EPA granted last summer, would help prevent potential fuel shortages and save Kansas money at the gas pump.
“Our association is pleased Governor Kelly has chosen to request an emergency waiver, standing by her previous words of support for the biofuels industry,” Renew Kansas President and CEO Ron Seeber said. “Kansans shouldn’t have to experience paying higher prices at the pump this summer while a cheaper, environmentally-friendly option has a bag covering its handle.”
Allowing the sale of this product during the summer driving season would also support the Kansas ag industry, especially corn growers who contribute to ethanol production.
“I’m calling on the EPA to take action to save Kansans money at the gas pump, increase our nation’s fuel supply, and support Kansas ag producers,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The agency delivered this relief last year, and given inflation and declining fuel inventories, I believe they should do it again.”
During the summer of 2022, the EPA ensured the continued availability of E15 in order to extend fuel supplies put at risk by the Russia-Ukraine War. This action helped prevent potential shortages and saved Americans at least $57 million in fuel costs.
U.S. inventories of crude oil and petroleum products recently hit a 19-year low, and nationwide gasoline stocks are 3% lower than a year ago. Those statistics, coupled with continued international pressure and refining capacity being offline for maintenance, are predicted to have the same implications as last summer, providing support for another emergency waiver.