California Gov. Newsom Signs E15 Retailer Bill into Law
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill on Saturday that will cut “unnecessary red tape” for fuel retailers and allow them to offer E15 at pumps throughout the state.
The bill, which passed in the California legislature earlier this month, directs state agencies to implement regulations that would essentially fast-track the process for getting vapor recovery systems and other necessary components at retail sites currently approved for E10 authorized for E15 usage as well.
That directive will be essential for finally offering E15 to California drivers later this year, as Newsom said in a release that the state, “…is taking action to give consumers more affordable choices and strengthen our fuel supply.”
“This common-sense bill cuts unnecessary red tape while maintaining our environmental and safety standards,” Newsom said. “We’re helping make E15 a real option for California drivers.”
The signing comes after California became the last state to approve the fuel blend in a bill last September, which was prompted by the governor in a bid to ease volatile fuel prices.
And it comes right before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is set to hold a public hearing this week and weigh its proposed regulations for offering the blend.
The bill signed this weekend should help retailers hit the ground running and offer the fuel as soon as possible once CARB finalizes its regulations sometime this fall.
Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, said in a release that the law will “clear the final regulatory hurdles that were restricting Californians’ access to this lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel choice.”
And Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, said, “Governor Newsom promised to remove the red tape that was blocking lower-cost E15 from reaching California consumers, and that’s exactly what this bill does.”
“Thanks to the governor’s leadership and decisive action, California is closer than ever to lower gas prices and a cleaner future for families across the state,” Cooper said.