Small Fuel Retailers File Suit over E15 Gasoline Rule
The trade association Small Retailers Coalition filed a petition with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on August 6, 2019. The petition challenges the Trump administration’s decision to allow the sale of gasoline blends containing up to 15% ethanol all year, instead of seasonally.
The petition highlights tensions between corn interests and oil interests, as the year-round sale of 15% ethanol blend gasoline will benefit farmers. However, the oil industry views the biofuel as competition, and followed-through on its prior threats to challenge the administration over this move.
The Small Retailers Coalition has previously challenged the EPA and implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard on a number of grounds. More recently, the EPA has increased the number of waivers granted to small refineries under the renewable fuel standard. Farmers have argued these waivers reduce the demand for ethanol, so tension between the two interest groups is likely to continue.