SIGMA: E15 Sales to Face Uncertainty Amid API Withdrawal


   
Miguel E. Andujar
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   NASHVILLE, TN (DTN) -- The future of year-round E15 sales faces new 
uncertainty following the decision by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to 
withdraw its support for expanded ethanol use, according to SIGMA's Government 
Relations Team and Legislative Committee.

   The API pivot dismantles the long-standing alliance between refiners and 
renewable fuel advocates, effectively removing any legislative pathway 
remaining for E15, the committee said at the SIGMA 2025 Annual Conference.

   The team also reviewed complications from the spring-to-summer fuel 
transition, when emergency waivers for E15 and E10 left refiners "holding the 
bag." 

   According to SIGMA, API's withdrawal of support marked a decisive turning 
point, ending industry alignment at a time when several key lawmakers were 
already hesitant to advance E15 legislation. 

   "If you lose the refining community advocating for E15, we don't see a way 
this gets through Congress," the committee stated, noting that senators from 
major refining states remained skeptical regardless of lobbying efforts.

   To prevent a repeat of last year's disruptions, SIGMA is coordinating with 
state officials to secure early Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) opt-out extensions 
from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

   Ohio has already submitted its request for this, with several other states 
expected to follow in the coming weeks.  The committee described the action as 
a proactive measure aimed at avoiding the last-minute decisions seen last 
spring, when governors delayed decisions under competing pressures from 
agricultural groups seeking a legislative fix.

   Due to the lack of clear federal action, the committee anticipates that next 
year's transition will likely mirror the current year's, with potential 
emergency waivers again required around May.




(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.