Reid Vapor Pressure season begins with calls for its abolition

In South Dakota, Thursday marked the beginning of the EPA-imposed low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) season, effectively banning the sale of lower-cost, higher-octane E15 until Sept. 15, even though E15 has lower RVP and lower emissions than the gasoline sold in those markets each summer. E15 is an unleaded gasoline that can be used in all cars and light trucks model years 2001 and newer, and typically costs five to 10 cents less than regular gas.

Other fuels receive a one-pound RVP waiver during the summer months, and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has made encouraging EPA to extend that waiver to E15 a priority for many years. ACE has also called upon Members of Congress to enact legislation (S. 517 and H.R. 1311) clarifying once and for all that E15 and higher blends of ethanol should be allowed for sale June 1 through Sept. 15.