According to today's USDA Grain Transportation Report, on March 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to remove a gasoline volatility waiver that restricts gasoline-ethanol blends to no more than 10% ethanol in several Midwestern States: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota.
The proposed rule responds to a request from these States’ governors to sell a 15-percent ethanol blend of gasoline (E15) year-round, without restriction.
By raising demand for ethanol, the proposed rule to remove the waiver would also raise the demand for ethanol and corn transportation.
EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on March 21, 2023, and comments on the rule are due by April 20, 2023.