EPA Issues Waiver Allowing E15 Ethanol Gasoline Sales Through Summer

[rstsco]

The EPA issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver allowing nationwide sales of E15 through the summer. They've also waived federal enforcement of all state "boutique" fuel requirements for gasoline across the nation. These waivers were common under the previous administration.

What I've yet to find is whether the ethanol content stickers on pumps are required to be changed. When others waivers have been issued, I've never seen pump stickers showing the change from Contains Up To 10% Ethanol to 15% Ethanol.

This article in Ethanol Producer Magazine goes into a bit more detail.

 

[dadto2]

I thought E15 was marketed as 88 octane, and generally had it's own setting at the pump? I never understood these waivers to mean that E10 was replaced by E15.

 

[fantastic]

There's certainly has been a growing push to use E15. I've been using 88 octane w/E15. Are these reg's talking about 15% in 87 octane? Here in MO we've been getting fuel stations offering more of the 88 E15 in the last few years.

 

[fantastic]

I thought E15 was marketed as 88 octane, and generally had it's own setting at the pump? I never understood these waivers to mean that E10 was replaced by E15.

Right, Same.

 

[MNgopher]

I thought E15 was marketed as 88 octane, and generally had it's own setting at the pump? I never understood these waivers to mean that E10 was replaced by E15.

You are correct - the approval of the waiver does not mean E10 is being replaced with E15 - only that the sale of E15 is legal should a retailer wish to offer it.

There are several retailers in this area selling E15. Some are done via blending pumps, blending E85 and E10 to create a E15 fuel, and others, namely Kwik Trip, sell 88 octane E15 from its own dedicated tanks and pump handles with no blending at the station level.

Been running mostly E15 for years now - if the price is more than 10 cents a gallon lower, the economic still work out for me, and historically its often been priced substantially lower than E10.

 

[kschachn]

You are correct - the approval of the waiver does not mean E10 is being replaced with E15 - only that the sale of E15 is legal should a retailer wish to offer it.

There are several retailers in this area selling E15. Some are done via blending pumps, blending E85 and E10 to create a E15 fuel, and others, namely Kwik Trip, sell 88 octane E15 from its own dedicated tanks and pump handles with no blending at the station level.

Been running mostly E15 for years now - if the price is more than 10 cents a gallon lower, the economic still work out for me, and historically its often been priced substantially lower than E10.

So for those of us who already have E15 available year-round it’s a nothing burger?

 

[mrsilv04]

The closest Love's to me has their 87 octane labelled as being up to 15% ethanol.

Most people roll in there, grab the nozzle, press 87, and have no idea what they're actually paying for.

And if it is 15% ethanol, then Love's is pocketing the difference.

 

[Chris142]

I thought E15 was marketed as 88 octane, and generally had it's own setting at the pump? I never understood these waivers to mean that E10 was replaced by E15.

All fuel in Ca is E10 regardless of octane

 

[volk06]

I thought E15 was marketed as 88 octane, and generally had it's own setting at the pump? I never understood these waivers to mean that E10 was replaced by E15.

Sadly, many pumps are starting to sell 87 E15 octane around here, mainly at Casey's, so I won't get their gas. Sam's Club and Costco are following suit.

 

[kschachn]

Sadly, many pumps are starting to sell 87 E15 octane around here, mainly at Casey's, so I won't get their gas. Sam's Club and Costco are following suit.

That's crazy, Here in Wisconsin it is always 88 octane which makes it a bit more identifiable.

 

[Hermann]

The new Casey's near me has offered E15 88 octane for several years. Can't say I noticed any difference, in MPG or the way the Maverick Hybrid runs when using it. Usually 15¢ less.

 

[JohnnyG]

Makes little difference, except maybe for the farmers growing the corn. The blends still begin with 84 octane base (fungible) fuel to make 87, and 15% can make 88 oct.

 

[rstsco]

There's certainly has been a growing push to use E15. I've been using 88 octane w/E15. Are these reg's talking about 15% in 87 octane? Here in MO we've been getting fuel stations offering more of the 88 E15 in the last few years.

Nothing I have read has mentioned octane. Only that using a higher volume of ethanol will reduce the usage of gasoline.

So for those of us who already have E15 available year-round it’s a nothing burger?

I have not seen any pumps in my area selling E15 gasoline. That's why I asked about labeling requirements. Doing more research, it looks like there are specific labeling requirements identifying E15 fuel.

Makes little difference, except maybe for the farmers growing the corn. The blends still begin with 84 octane base (fungible) fuel to make 87, and 15% can make 88 oct.

Based on labeling requirements, E15 is not to be used in cars older than MY2000(1), not to be used in lawn equipment, motorcycles, or heavy gasoline vehicles. There are requirements for having a mitigation plan in place for misuse.

 

[JohnnyG]

Nothing I have read has mentioned octane. Only that using a higher volume of ethanol will reduce the usage of gasoline.


I have not seen any pumps in my area selling E15 gasoline. That's why I asked about labeling requirements. Doing more research, it looks like there are specific labeling requirements identifying E15 fuel.


Based on labeling requirements, E15 is not to be used in cars older than MY2000(1), not to be used in lawn equipment, motorcycles, or heavy gasoline vehicles. There are requirements for having a mitigation plan in place for misuse.

Yep, it's a typical govt. screw up. You can't make 87 regular with 15% ethanol unless you lower the octane of the base fuel. 10% ethanol raises octane 2 -3 points. Which is why E15 is 88 oct,. or better.
Lowering the octane of the base fuel would require so many adjustments to the distribution system, you can't even imagine. Not to mention the refinery slates.

 

[Fordiesel69]

What does this mean?

"They've also waived federal enforcement of all state "boutique" fuel requirements for gasoline across the nation. These waivers were common under the previous administration."

Does this indicate our treasured E0 we need for vintage cars and small engines can have ethanol now?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I saw the pumps at a station in GA recently labeled E15 with new stickers.

I went elsewhere. However does this mean pumps labeled E10 can now be E15?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

There go the feed and Doritos prices sky high ... again

Not much corn grown around here except a few acres on legacy farms of people eatin' butter and sugar.

Imagine the rail cost of delivery from the heartland.

 

[rstsco]

I saw the pumps at a station in GA recently labeled E15 with new stickers.

I went elsewhere. However does this mean pumps labeled E10 can now be E15?

This was also my concern. Based on EPA labeling requirements, I don't think so, but wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't "accidentally" happen.

 

[researcher]

What does this mean?

"They've also waived federal enforcement of all state "boutique" fuel requirements for gasoline across the nation. These waivers were common under the previous administration."

Does this indicate our treasured E0 we need for vintage cars and small engines can have ethanol now?

No, that term "boutique" is referring to states that have their own gas requirements beyond federal standards. It's things like different Reid vapor pressures (volatility), etc. They're waiving those state requirements, but I'm not sure how they get to suspend state laws.

Either way it's not talking about E0.

 

[volk06]

That's crazy, Here in Wisconsin it is always 88 octane which makes it a bit more identifiable.

It's due to an Iowa state law that a certain % of pumps must now carry E15. I'm sure 87E15 is just a smidge sheaper than 88E15 and Casey's needs to please those shareholders...