US allows more ethanol-blended fuel sales to keep petrol prices in check this summer

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the Department of Energy and under the Clean Air Act, has issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver allowing the nationwide sale of E15 gasoline, a blend containing 15% ethanol, and removing federal impediments to E10 sales.

The waiver, announced by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, is aimed at strengthening the domestic gasoline supply chain and providing relief to consumers ahead of the summer driving season. The agency said the move would help prevent disruptions in fuel supply while expanding consumer choice at the pump.

“EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer. This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin.
He added, “President Trump has prioritised ensuring American families have an affordable domestic energy supply. The Trump Administration has made great strides on this during the first year and will continue to do so.”

I just signed and announced a nationwide E15 and E10 fuel waiver to fortify U.S. fuel supply. This waiver ensures a robustly available supply of domestic fuel, providing Americans further relief at the pumps, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil. This means lower energy costs…

— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) March 25, 2026

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The EPA said the waivers will take effect from May 1, 2026, for most states and will initially remain in place through May 20, 2026, the maximum 20-day period permitted under the Clean Air Act. The agency added that it may extend the waiver depending on fuel supply conditions.

As part of the action, the EPA will temporarily waive summer low volatility requirements and blending limitations for gasoline, allowing greater flexibility in fuel distribution. It will also waive federal enforcement of state-specific “boutique” fuel requirements, enabling the production and distribution of gasoline with 9% to 15% ethanol content under a uniform Reid Vapor Pressure standard of 10 psi.

E15 is currently available at over 3,000 gas stations nationwide and is typically priced lower than conventional gasoline. The EPA said that without the waiver, E15 could not be sold in large parts of the country during the summer months.

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US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, said, “While today’s announcement is great news for farmers, year-round E-15 is essential for the farm economy, and Congress needs to find a common sense solution that provides much needed certainty to consumers and farmers.”

The agency said it evaluated the situation along with the Department of Energy and determined that granting the waiver was in the public interest.