The U.S. government funding bill includes a provision to permit year-round nationwide sales of E15 gasoline, a higher ethanol blend, benefiting the corn and ethanol industries by increasing demand and ending seasonal restrictions. It also provides compliance credits to small refiners previously denied exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and mandates a review of fuel blending credits to prevent market manipulation. The measure overrides a February 2023 decision to allow E15 sales only in certain Midwestern states starting in 2025, addressing concerns over potential fuel price spikes. Environmental concerns about E15’s smog impact are deemed minimal compared to E10 blends. The bill is celebrated as a regulatory breakthrough by biofuel advocates.
