Fuels and Energy
EPA Issues Emergency Waiver for E15 and Other Fuel Requirements
The Trump administration is aiming for a uniform standard across the country.
Mar 25, 2026
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this afternoon announced an emergency waiver under the Clean Air Act, lifting several federal fuel regulations with the goal of “allowing the production and distribution of gasoline with 9% to 15% ethanol content at a single common Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard of 10 psi across the nation.”
According to the agency, the waiver “extends the ethanol blending limit in gasoline from 10% to 15%, reinstates the 1 psi allowance for ethanol blends in states where it was previously removed, waives Federal low volatility gasoline standards, and waives federal enforcement of all state ‘boutique’ fuel requirements for gasoline.”
Two of these waiver components in particular—allowing summer E15 sales and removing the Midwestern state opt-outs for E10—have been longstanding NACS priorities.
EPA cited the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, refinery closures in California and the general “National Energy Emergency” declared by President Trump as grounds for the emergency waiver.
By allowing a higher blend of ethanol in gasoline and reducing the effect of boutique fuels, the agency said it is “fortifying the domestic gasoline supply chain and providing Americans relief at the pumps ahead of the summer driving season.” With gas prices at $3.98 per gallon, this marks the latest in a series of announcements by the Trump administration aimed at addressing higher fuel prices.
The waiver is effective immediately for federal enforcement of state fuel requirements. The other components of the waiver are effective May 1, 2026. In both cases, EPA would then need to renew the waiver every 20 days, which has been its practice in recent years.
According to the agency, the waiver “extends the ethanol blending limit in gasoline from 10% to 15%, reinstates the 1 psi allowance for ethanol blends in states where it was previously removed, waives Federal low volatility gasoline standards, and waives federal enforcement of all state ‘boutique’ fuel requirements for gasoline.”
Two of these waiver components in particular—allowing summer E15 sales and removing the Midwestern state opt-outs for E10—have been longstanding NACS priorities.
EPA cited the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, refinery closures in California and the general “National Energy Emergency” declared by President Trump as grounds for the emergency waiver.
By allowing a higher blend of ethanol in gasoline and reducing the effect of boutique fuels, the agency said it is “fortifying the domestic gasoline supply chain and providing Americans relief at the pumps ahead of the summer driving season.” With gas prices at $3.98 per gallon, this marks the latest in a series of announcements by the Trump administration aimed at addressing higher fuel prices.
The waiver is effective immediately for federal enforcement of state fuel requirements. The other components of the waiver are effective May 1, 2026. In both cases, EPA would then need to renew the waiver every 20 days, which has been its practice in recent years.
E15
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