The California Air Resources Board adopted amendments on Thursday allowing E15 fuel, a blend containing up to 15 percent ethanol, to be sold at California gas stations. The move increases the ethanol content limit from the current 10 percent standard.
E15 is a low-carbon alternative fuel already legal in all 50 U.S. states and available in 36 states. The decision follows Governor Newsom's direction to prioritize the rulemaking and his signing of Senate Bill 795, which accelerates the approval process for E15 dispenser components.
The air board's scientific evaluation found E15's impacts to be comparable to E10, with a potential for slight improvement in air quality. The assessment determined that health and environmental concerns associated with the gasoline blend stem primarily from the petroleum portion of the fuel, not the ethanol component.
State law requires gas station dispensers to be clearly labeled, and consumers should consult their vehicle's owner's manual to determine fuel compatibility. The air board said that availability of E15 could increase consumer fuel choices and potentially help reduce gas prices, though fuel providers ultimately set prices and decide which fuels to sell.