EPA allows sale of higher-ethanol gas blends to lower prices for summer driving

The Environmental Protection Agency is allowing the sale of higher-ethanol gasoline blends ahead of summer in an effort to ease rising fuel prices. 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Wednesday that the agency has issued emergency waivers to allow E15 gasoline sales, temporarily exempting the fuel from restrictions meant to limit smog. E15 is a fuel that blends 15% ethanol with gasoline, compared with the more common E10 blend, which contains 10%. EPA’s waiver will go into effect on May 1, allowing the fuel industry to transition the fuel.

The move is part of an effort to provide relief at the gas pump for Americans, who are seeing gasoline prices rise because of the conflict with Iran.

“EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer,” Zeldin said. “This emergency action will provide American families with