The attorneys general of Iowa and Nebraska have filed a lawsuit (Case 4:23-cv-00284-RGE-SBJ) against the Environmental Protection Agency over their request to make E-15 gasoline available year-round. The latest round of seemingly interminable litigation came to AutoInformed’s attention today when the EPA released it today, weeks after the actual filing, the text of the lawsuit. AutoInformed opines that certain political events and Republican party food fights occurring in Iowa prompted the release. It could also be, in fairness, the summertime pace of Federal Agencies.
“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
She has a point. Current regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act apply a more stringent RVP [Reid Vapor Pressure, which measure the volatility of gasoline] limitation on E15 than on gasoline blended with 10% ethanol during the high ozone season from June 1 to September 15. This prevents access to E15 during the peak-driving summer months unless a waiver can be obtained.
Last year, in the tangled web of ethanol politics, eight Midwestern governors, counting Iowa and Nebraska, requested that the EPA change its regulations to make E-15 gas permanently available throughout the year. The politics of ethanol, virtually all of it corn derived and therefore benefiting big money farm lobby interests, are as tangled as it gets. Taxpayers would be better off if legislators were required to wear NASCAR-style uniforms with the patches of the organizations that are their major, err, sponsors, to put it politely in pay to play Washington where campaign contributions from special interests determine policy not national interests. This latest case is partly that, but it also raises further questions about Federal Government policy under the Biden Administration.
In the latest litigation, Iowa and Nebraska attorneys general allege that under the Clean Air Act, the EPA was required to act on the permanent E-15 waiver request within 90 days, but has not responded to it in more than a year.
“The Biden Administration has dragged its feet long enough,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, in a statement. “Hardworking Iowans deserve a cheaper, cleaner option at the gas pump. But despite the Governors’ request, the EPA has refused to allow Iowans to buy the fuel they want.”
Complicating matters is that earlier this year, the EPA issued an emergency waiver to be sold during this summer to address market supply issues created by the war in Ukraine?
AutoInformed will await further developments – especially the EPA pleading in the case – in The United States District Court For The Southern District Of Iowa Central Division.
No matter what ethanol will remain problematic:
- Technically – it has drawbacks for some, if not many users. Corn derived versus sugarcane derived ethanol issues. Governor Reynolds supported the biofuels industry by requiring new contracts for state vehicles with diesel engines to have written support from the manufacturer to use B20 biodiesel or more on 3 December 2019.
- Politically – taxpayer subsidies or energy independence and reducing fossil fuel use. The governors that signed the original request are Kim Reynolds, Iowa; Pete Ricketts, Nebraska; JB Pritzker, Illinois; Laura Kelly, Kansas; Tim Walz, Minnesota; Doug Burgum, North Dakota; Kristi Noem, South Dakota; Tony Evers, Wisconsin.
- Legally – Federal versus State jurisdictions and international agreements or treaties.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Iowa, Nebraska Sue EPA to Sell E-15 Year Round
The attorneys general of Iowa and Nebraska have filed a lawsuit (Case 4:23-cv-00284-RGE-SBJ) against the Environmental Protection Agency over their request to make E-15 gasoline available year-round. The latest round of seemingly interminable litigation came to AutoInformed’s attention today when the EPA released it today, weeks after the actual filing, the text of the lawsuit. AutoInformed opines that certain political events and Republican party food fights occurring in Iowa prompted the release. It could also be, in fairness, the summertime pace of Federal Agencies.
“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
She has a point. Current regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act apply a more stringent RVP [Reid Vapor Pressure, which measure the volatility of gasoline] limitation on E15 than on gasoline blended with 10% ethanol during the high ozone season from June 1 to September 15. This prevents access to E15 during the peak-driving summer months unless a waiver can be obtained.
Last year, in the tangled web of ethanol politics, eight Midwestern governors, counting Iowa and Nebraska, requested that the EPA change its regulations to make E-15 gas permanently available throughout the year. The politics of ethanol, virtually all of it corn derived and therefore benefiting big money farm lobby interests, are as tangled as it gets. Taxpayers would be better off if legislators were required to wear NASCAR-style uniforms with the patches of the organizations that are their major, err, sponsors, to put it politely in pay to play Washington where campaign contributions from special interests determine policy not national interests. This latest case is partly that, but it also raises further questions about Federal Government policy under the Biden Administration.
In the latest litigation, Iowa and Nebraska attorneys general allege that under the Clean Air Act, the EPA was required to act on the permanent E-15 waiver request within 90 days, but has not responded to it in more than a year.
“The Biden Administration has dragged its feet long enough,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, in a statement. “Hardworking Iowans deserve a cheaper, cleaner option at the gas pump. But despite the Governors’ request, the EPA has refused to allow Iowans to buy the fuel they want.”
Complicating matters is that earlier this year, the EPA issued an emergency waiver to be sold during this summer to address market supply issues created by the war in Ukraine?
AutoInformed will await further developments – especially the EPA pleading in the case – in The United States District Court For The Southern District Of Iowa Central Division.
No matter what ethanol will remain problematic:
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.