ST. PAUL – Today, Gov. Tim Walz joined with seven other Midwestern governors in a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calling for year-round use of E15.

On April 12, President Biden announced his administration would allow the widespread sale of E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol mixed with gasoline, during the summer months. Current law restricts the sale of E15 between June 1 and Sept. 15.

“We are writing to thank you and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for exercising

your emergency waiver authority to waive the 9-psi Reid vapor pressure (RVP) limitation for

gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) for the 2022 summer ozone control season,” the governors’ letter reads. “This action will help provide relief, flexibility, and certainty in the fuel market as we are seeing record high gasoline prices in our states and around the country.”

But they went further, asking for a permanent solution allowing the year-round sale of E15 beginning June 1, 2023.

“Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) thanks Gov. Walz for his long-time support of renewable fuels, dating back to his days in Congress. As governor, he has advocated for an E15 mandate. I thank him for joining with the seven other Midwestern governors in calling for the year-round sale of E15,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “Renewable fuels are a win-win for family farmers, rural communities, consumers and the environment.”

It’s estimated that moving to E15 will save drivers about 10 cents a gallon when they fill up their gas tanks.”

Joining Walz in signing the letter to EPA are Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.

About Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org and follow MFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org).