Gov. Kim Reynolds, 7 other Midwest governors ask EPA for permanent, year-round E15 gas sales
Stephen Gruber-MillerGov. Kim Reynolds and seven other Midwestern governors have sent a formal letter to the federal government seeking a waiver to allow the year-round sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol.
President Joe Biden visited Iowa earlier this month to announce he would allow the sale of the higher ethanol blend nationwide for this year only in an effort to lower gas prices. The move is intended to be temporary.
The Iowa governor has praised that move, but she and the other Midwestern governors are asking for a permanent waiver in a letter sent Thursday to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan.
"This letter sends the clear message that renewable fuels are the immediate solution to high gas prices, lower emissions and restoring our energy independence, and we are proud to stand up and take this historic action," Reynolds said in a statement.
E15 is currently banned in several states from June 1 to Sept. 15 because it is believed to contribute to smog during warmer weather. Ethanol supporters say those claims are unfounded, adding that total emissions with E15 are less than E10 and gasoline with no renewable fuel.
In the letter, the governors said they had modeled the emissions benefits that would result from the change and concluded it would benefit air quality by reducing emissions from carbon monoxide, nitrogen and volatile organic compounds.
Reynolds has long pushed for greater access to E15 and has advocated for expanding Iowa's biofuels industry, which provides a large market for the state's corn and soybean crops.
More:More Iowa gas stations to sell fuel with higher ethanol blends under bill OK'd by Legislature
Earlier this week, the Iowa Legislature sent a bill to Reynolds' desk that would mandate most Iowa gas stations offer E15 beginning in 2026. The issue is one of Reynolds' top legislative priorities, and is expected to expand the availability of E15, which is currently available at a fraction of Iowa's gas stations and truck stops.
Reynolds has said lawmakers and fuel industry representatives had raised concerns about the summertime E15 ban during the legislative process. Allowing the year-round sale of the product should ease those concerns.
Along with Reynolds, the governors who signed the letter were: Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Tony Evers of Wisconsin.
The eight states make up more than 10% of U.S. gasoline sales, according to a news release from Reynolds.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.