E15. It has been the subject of much conversation over the past few months. Iowa has been at the forefront of the discussion. It was at the Iowa State Fair that then-Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler said we were close to resolution. Then President Trump in October gave the order to make year-round E15 happen at a rally in Council Bluffs. Since then we have been hearing crickets chirping. Until now.
Audio: Full Interview with Robert White of RFA
When I stopped into the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) booth at Commodity Classic last week, I had the chance to speak with Robert White. White says the confirmation of Wheeler should hopefully speed things up.
Now, we have received news that a draft of the final rule has been sent to the White House Budget Office from EPA. RFA?s President & CEO Geoff Cooper says:
?RFA is pleased to see that the first official step in the regulatory process to allow year-round E15 is finally being taken, and we agree with President Trump that the RVP barrier was always ?unnecessary? and ?ridiculous.? But the clock is ticking; there are now less than 90 days before the start of the summer driving season and every day counts. Retailers, marketers, terminal operators and others in the supply chain are looking for clear signals and assurances from the administration that this barrier will indeed be removed before the summer driving season, as promised by the president. We look forward to the expeditious completion of this rulemaking, putting this onerous red-tape barrier behind us once and for all.?
White says if this can be pulled off by June 1, it will border on miraculous. The EPA has never gotten a rule done this fast.
White foreshadowed Cooper?s comments last week, saying the time table is going to put stress on terminals and retailers. Terminals must have summer fuels ready by April 30th. Retailers won?t look at putting in new equipment until they hear from EPA.
The marathon has been turned into a sprint, and the starter?s pistol has been fired. All eyes are on EPA to break a world record.
