EPA Issues Emergency Waiver Allowing Sale of Cheaper E15 Gas

The blend contains higher amounts of ethanol than standard unleaded, and its availability had been banned during the summer over smog concerns.

A Lawrence, Kan. gas station pump with various grades of fuel, including E15, in a handout photo from July 11, 2012. AP Photo/Renewable Fuels Association, Robert White

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency waiver on Monday allowing for the sale of gasoline that contains higher levels of ethanol during the summer months and signaled that it will allow for the “year-round” sale of the fuel nationwide.

In a news release, the EPA said that E15 gasoline, which has 15 percent ethanol, can be sold around the United States, after President Donald Trump declared a “National Energy Emergency” that directed the agency to give consumers more options.