EPA’s renewable fuel standard to ethanol encourages US states to for it  

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard June 3 that sets a goal of 15 billion gallons of conventional renewable fuels for 2022.

Some Midwestern states are turning to higher blends of ethanol in hopes it will help them respond to rising fuel costs. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wrote a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan June 10 asking the EPA to change regulations that limit sales of gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol in the summer.

As fuel prices have skyrocketed across the US this year. Some farm groups and state officials are seeking loosened regulations on higher blends of ethanol to help alleviate the pressure and create more opportunities for farmers.

Farm groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association, and renewable fuel industry groups have applauded the final rule, with some groups saying it will help lower fuel costs for consumers.

​​This request also makes Ohio one of nine Midwestern states seeking permanent year-round sales for E15. The Renewable Fuels Association said these nine states represent 14% of the nation’s gasoline consumption, and are home to 59% of the US retail stations selling E15 and about 75% of the nation’s ethanol biorefineries.