Minneapolis, May 31 – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued its final rule that lifts the summertime ban on E15.

In its final rule, the EPA said it was extending a 1-psi reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver to E15 during the summer months.

“We are pleased that the EPA has finally lifted the RVP ban on E15. Drivers in Minnesota and elsewhere will finally get to use E15 during the busy summer driving season,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels).

The EPA said the RVP waiver for E15 will take effect immediately as “when the agency grants or recognizes an exemption or relieves a restriction, affected parties do not need a reasonable time to adjust because the effect is not adverse.”

In addition to lifting the summertime ban on E15, the EPA said it was finalizing reforms to the RINs market. These reforms include requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds and the collection of additional data to improve transparency and EPA oversight.

“We will be working with fuel retailers to ensure they are aware of the EPA’s new rule so that drivers in Minnesota will be able to choose E15 on June 1,” Rudnicki said.