EPA is extending the comment period by 60 days on a waiver application requesting an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into a gallon of gasoline to up to 15 volume percent (E15). (Earlier post.)
The original public comment period was to end on 21 May 2009, and will now end on 20 July 2009.
The current limit on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into a gallon of gasoline is at ten volume percent ethanol (E10) for conventional (non flex-fuel) vehicles. Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers submitted the E15 waiver application on March 6, 2009.
The statutory provision calls for EPA to make a decision within 270 days of receipt, which is 1 December 2009. The comment period extension will not change this timeframe.