The EPA extended the period for public comment by 60 days, although it needs to decide on the waiver request by Dec. 1. Ethanol has become increasingly controversial as evidence has emerged questioning its efficiency, whether it actually lowers greenhouse gas emissions and how corrosive a 15% blend would be to engines.
Although the Obama administration continues to support biofuels generally, the EPA hasn’t given corn ethanol the free policy ride that it’s had in the past.