Good For American Cleaner Air: Year-Round Sales of E15; Nixed by U.S. Appeal Court Because of Big Oil Pleading

Unleaded 88 AKA E15 Too Good For American Drivers?

Farm and biofuel groups say they will appeal the decision.

NEW YORK—The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week struck down a Trump-era rule that allowed for year-round sales of E15, saying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exceeded its authority by lifting summertime restrictions on the sale of E15 (NASCAR RACING FUEL), reports Reuters.

Washington July 6, 2021; The NACSonline reported that in 2019, the EPA extended a waiver permitting 15% ethanol fuel blend to be sold all year. According to the court, the EPA exceeded its authority in that rule when it said E15 qualified for an emissions waiver for E10, fuel blends “containing” 10% ethanol. The court said that statutory language was clearly intended for 10% ethanol gasoline, reports ArgusMedia.com.

Raise Your Hand If You Know What E15 Is and Does

“By its plain terms, then, [the exemption] applies to E10, leaving no room for EPA to exempt E15,” the court wrote.

The decision came in a lawsuit filed by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, an oil refining trade group. Farm and biofuel groups said they intend to appeal and will work with the Biden Administration to ensure the continuity of E15 sales through the 2021 summer season and beyond. The ruling is unlikely to go into effect immediately because of a court practice to offer time for appeals.

The decision represents a victory for U.S. refiners, which argued that the E15 exemption was unlawful and could cut into gasoline sales. If the ruling is sustained, it would undermine a long-term strategy from biofuel products to grow sales by expanding the availability of higher-ethanol fuel blends. The EPA is reviewing the court ruling.

NASCAR E15

Sunoco Green E15 98 Octane Race Fuel, 5 Gallon Pail $82.71

Sunoco Green E15 98 Octane, Unleaded Racing Fuel in 5 Gallon Pails is the fuel of NASCAR.This fuel is sanctioned by: NASCARSunoco Green E15 is a highly oxygenated unleaded race fuel that contains 15% ethanol. Because Sunoco Green E15 contains more oxygen than most fuels, fuel system changes may be needed to extract peak performance.Sunoco Green E15 contains a comprehensive additive package that helps keep fuel systems clean, enhances shelf life and reduces fuel system deposits. It should be stored in opaque, tightly sealed containers and kept where temperatures are stable. Properly stored, the shelf life of Green E15 is in excess of 1 year. TECHNICAL DETAILS ColorGreenOctane (R+M)/298Research Octane104Motor Octane93Specific Gravity0.745Weight (lbs/gallon)6.2Reid Vapor Pressure (PSI)6.110% Evaporation (F)14750% Evaporation (F)20690% Evaporation (F)228Stoichiometric Air/Fuel Ratio