Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025
Description
This bill would allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline and return certain compliance credits to small refineries.
Summary
What it does
This bill would amend the Clean Air Act to allow gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol (E15) to be sold year-round by applying volatility waivers that currently apply only to 10% ethanol blends. While the proposal would nullify existing state-level exclusions from these waivers, states would retain the ability to request future exclusions by providing documentation that the waiver increases air pollution. Additionally, the bill would modify the Renewable Fuel Standard Program by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to return compliance credits to small refineries under specific circumstances.
Who is affected
This bill affects fuel retailers and consumers by allowing the year-round sale of gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol (E15). It also impacts state governments, which must submit new documentation if they seek to be excluded from federal Reid Vapor Pressure waivers. Additionally, the legislation affects obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, specifically small refineries that may receive returned compliance credits from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Key provisions
- Expansion of Reid Vapor Pressure waivers for ethanol blends. The bill extends the existing Reid Vapor Pressure volatility waiver for 10% ethanol blends to include gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol. This change allows for the year-round sale of E15 fuel by addressing seasonal ozone-related volatility limitations.
- Modification of state exclusion processes. Existing state exclusions from Reid Vapor Pressure waivers are nullified by the bill. States retain the ability to request future exclusions by submitting documentation demonstrating that a waiver would lead to increased air pollution.
- Return of compliance credits to small refineries. The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to return Renewable Fuel Standard compliance credits to small refineries under specific circumstances. This affects how obligated parties meet minimum volume requirements for renewable fuels in transportation fuel.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill allows states to submit documentation to be excluded from certain requirements after the date of enactment.
Relationship to existing law
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to extend the Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for 10% ethanol gasoline to blends containing up to 15% ethanol and nullifies existing state exclusions from this waiver. Additionally, it modifies the Renewable Fuel Standard Program by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to return compliance credits to small refineries under specific circumstances.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to permit the year-round sale of gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol by extending existing volatility requirement waivers to these higher blends. Additionally, it seeks to modify compliance requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, including provisions for the return of compliance credits to small refineries.