The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments yesterday on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed amendments to the California Reformulated Gasoline Regulations (CaRFG). The proposal would establish a fuel specification for E15 gasoline within the CaRFG and clarify the standards under which fuel suppliers may continue to offer both E10 and E15 fuel blends in California.
The rulemaking implements AB 30, which was signed by Governor Newsom on October 2, 2025. The legislation authorized the sale of E15 until CARB either adopts a permanent E15 fuel specification or determines that such a standard cannot be established without adverse impacts on public health or the environment.
“ACE writes today in support of these regulations the State’s Reformulated Gasoline regulatory framework to allow for E15 sales in California as intended with the passage of AB 30 last year,” said ACE chief strategy officer Ron Lamberty in written comments.
ACE’s comments highlighted the importance of allowing retailers to blend E15 at the pump, mentioning that allowing blending could expand the availability of both E15 and E85 as well as dramatically reduce the cost of infrastructure for offering E15.
“Blending at the pump will also require being able to meter the actual gallons sold by product, to properly tax pump-blended E15 fuel made with fully taxed E10 and E85 which is taxed at a lower rate. Allocating sales properly is also necessary to avoid overstating E85 sales which could exceed current sales limits on the fuel.”
ACE also touched on the limits of E85 sales, suggesting that limits should be removed in order to allow Californians to fully benefit from the pollution reductions and cost savings that E85 provides, writing, “both of which are highly beneficial to drivers’ pocketbooks while protecting the state environment and public health.”
Lamberty points out that the combination of the enactment of AB 30 and the recently passed E15 clean-up legislation could allow E15 availability in California as soon as the first quarter of next year.
“ACE appreciates CARB's timely work on this rulemaking and its recognition of the part ethanol can play in reducing emissions in California.”