The EPA approved selling a higher ethanol blend nationwide for the third consecutive summer, citing global tensions affecting the world’s fuel supply.
The agency declared an emergency waiver to exempt gasoline with 15% ethanol from the existing summer ban. Gasoline with 10% ethanol is already sold nationwide, but the higher blend has been prohibited in the summer due to concerns about worsening smog in warm weather.
According to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the waiver was justified due to the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, which are impacting the global fuel supply. He also mentioned the reduced U.S. refining capacity as a contributing factor.
The EPA’s decision was praised by the biofuels industry and politicians in the Midwest, where ethanol is produced from corn.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds hailed the decision as “a significant win for Iowa farmers, American energy independence, and consumers.”
Third channel opens after Baltimore bridge collapse
An additional temporary channel for boats to access the Port of Baltimore has been opened as workers continue to clear debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship.
Port officials announced the opening of an alternate channel to the northeast of the fallen bridge.
Port authorities expect that with the new channel open, 15% of pre-collapse commercial activity will be restored. Efforts to fully restore access to the port are ongoing, with plans to open a channel for most maritime traffic by the end of the month. The collapse on March 26 resulted in six fatalities.
