House Passes Bill to Permit Year-Round Sales of E15 Fuel

Under the measure, the Clean Air Act would be amended to extend to E15 the same RVP waiver currently granted to standard E10 gasoline.

A gas station pump in Lawrence, Kan., 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. House of Representatives on May 13 approved a bill that would permanently authorize nationwide, year-round commercial distribution of E15 gasoline—a fuel blend containing up to 15 percent ethanol—sending the measure to the Senate after a 218-203 vote.

H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, would also allow the sale of E15, normally available seasonally due to smog concerns, to be year-round.