The Environmental Protection Agency cleared the way for a higher blend of ethanol to be sold nationwide for the third summer in a row, citing global conflicts that it says are putting pressure on the world’s fuel supply.
The agency announced Friday an emergency waiver that will exempt gasoline blended with 15% ethanol from an existing summertime ban. Gasoline with 10% ethanol is already sold nationwide, but the higher blend has been prohibited in the summer because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the waiver was warranted because of “Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked, and unconscionable war against Ukraine” and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which he said are putting pressure on the global fuel supply. He said the diminished U.S. refining capacity is also a factor.
The biofuels industry and politicians in the Midwestern states where ethanol is produced from corn praised the EPA’s decision.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the decision “a huge victory for Iowa farmers, American energy independence, and consumers.”
Third channel opens after Baltimore bridge collapse
A third temporary channel for boats to access the Port of Baltimore has opened as workers keep removing debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after it was struck by a cargo ship.
Port officials on Friday announced access to an alternate channel to the northeast of the fallen bridge.
The port captain says with the new channel open, 15% of pre-collapse commercial activity should be restored. An effort to restore broader access to the port continues. Opening a channel to allow most maritime traffic back in is still on track for the end of the month. Six people died in the March 26 collapse.
