EPA permits higher ethanol gasoline sales during summer travel season.

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency waiver allowing fuel stations to sell gasoline blended with 15% ethanol during the summer, which could reduce prices at the pump and boost demand for the Midwest-based ethanol industry. The EPA said its decision encourages U.S. energy independence and supports American agriculture and manufacturing. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers industry group questioned the move, pointing to data from the Energy Information Administration. Ethanol policy is especially important in the Midwest, where most of the roughly 200 renewable fuel plants are located.