WASHINGTON – This week, convenience retailers, including Kwik Trip, Kum and Go and RaceTrac, came to Washington to urge Congress to support legislation (S. 517) that would remove a regulatory barrier to sell E15 during the summer months.  

The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and in the House by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), would give fuel blends containing greater than 10% ethanol a waiver from the Clean Air Act requirement that gasoline meet strict limits on volatility, as was done for E10. Without a waiver, E15 cannot be sold in most parts in the United States during the summer months, except in certain areas with air quality challenges.

The group shared that they want the ability to sell E15 to customers who want to buy E15 to fuel their vehicles, but in order to make the investment they need to be able to sell E15 year-round. This arbitrary regulatory obstacle is one of the major barriers in offering higher blends of renewable fuel into the marketplace.

As reported in several “inside the beltway” news outlets, Fischer garnered a commitment to hold a hearing to consider S. 517 from the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, but no date has been given when this may occur.