In the letter, the state associations noted that the final rule has been at the OMB for over a month and that a quick adoption to the rule was needed to ensure consumers do not face higher prices and fewer options at the pump this summer. 

"Midwest governors submitted their requests on April 28, 2022, and under the Clean Air Act, the EPA should have promulgated the appropriate regulation within 90 days. That deadline passed a year and a half ago this week. Further delay is simply not justified," they wrote.

Besides MN Bio-Fuels, other signatories of the letter were the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Missouri Renewable Fuels Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association and Wisconsin BioFuels Association. 

In the letter, they said there was no question regarding the law or science in the matter while ample evidence dismisses the notion that the Midwest governors' request would lead to supply challenges. 

"More importantly, the Clean Air Act does not allow the EPA to consider the impact on supply and price regarding the governors’ requests. The law leaves that to governors to evaluate before exercising their power. Clearly, the governors see how their constituents routinely save 10 to 20 cents per gallon with ethanol blends like E15," they said.

Read the full letter here.