The ethanol blend of gasoline known as E15 could save American families up to 10 cents per gallon, according to the White House.

Shannon Longworth Reporter

E15: Cheaper ethanol option revives controversy as gas prices peak

Apr 13, 2022

Shannon Longworth Reporter

By Shannon Longworth (Reporter), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor)

Under the Biden Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it will allow gas stations to offer E15 gas through the summer months. The agency made the move as gas prices have risen with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

E15 is a blend of gasoline with a higher level of ethanol than regular gas. Usually, it is not available at gas stations between June and September, in light of concerns that it creates smog in hot weather. However, E15 is cheaper than regular gas, and research shows that it emits fewer greenhouse gases.

LONGWORTH: OKAY, WE ALL KNOW GAS PRICES ARE HIGH RIGHT NOW.

WHILE YOU’RE LIKELY ALREADY REACHING FOR THE CHEAPEST OPTION–REGULAR–SOON YOU COULD HAVE YET A CHEAPER CHOICE.

E15 GASOLINE.

WHAT IS IT?

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT.

E15 IS A BLEND THAT HAS A HIGHER LEVEL OF ETHANOL THAN REGULAR GAS DOES–15% TO BE PRECISE.

THE PERCENTAGES VARY – BUT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE EPA ANNOUNCED IT WILL ALLOW STATIONS TO OFFER E-15 THROUGH THE SUMMER. THAT’S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE, NORMALLY, IT’S NOT AVAILABLE BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER.

WHY?

WELL, EVAPORATED E15 PARTICLES REACT WITH SUNLIGHT TO FORM SMOG. IN THE SUMMER, THERE’S MORE SUNLIGHT, SO ADD E15…AND YOU’LL GET SOME NOT-SO-NICE AIR POLLUTION.

SMOG CAN BE HARMFUL FOR THOSE WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES…LIKE ASTHMA.

BUT, ON THE FLIP SIDE, RESEARCH SHOWS CARS RUNNING ON ETHANOL-BASED FUEL RELEASE FEWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS…THOSE ARE WHAT TRAP HEAT AND CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO THAT’S WHY THE FUEL ITSELF IS CONTROVERSIAL. WHY’S IT AN ISSUE FOR BIDEN’S PLATFORM? CHECK OUT PART 2.