A California bill aiming to make what it described as a “cleaner, cheaper” blend of gasoline available at pumps passed the state Assembly and now awaits hearings in the Senate.

Assembly Bill 30 would authorize the sale and use in California of E15 gasoline, which is gasoline blended with up to 15 percent of ethanol.

“AB 30 is the Cleaner, Cheaper Fuels Act,” the bill’s lead author, Assemblyman David Alvarez of San Diego, said before the floor vote on June 4. “California drivers could see up to 20 cents per gallon reduction in their cost of gasoline.”

California is the only state in the United States that does not allow the use of E15 gasoline, Alvarez said, and the legislation “brings California in line with the rest of the nation.”

Alvarez said AB 30 is needed due to “the regulatory delays” at the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

He said the state agency initiated the regulatory approval of E15 in 2018, but “literally almost no progress has been made” since 2022.

“For too long, the California Air Resources Board has delayed action on E15 fuel—despite its proven track record across the country. This unnecessary regulatory holdup has prevented consumers from accessing a cleaner, more affordable fuel option,” Alvarez said in a press release after the bill passed the Assembly.

“It’s time CARB considers not just environmental impacts, but the economic benefits to everyday consumers who are struggling with high fuel prices.”

A Controversial Fuel

Although E15—often marketed as Unleaded 88— is used in many states, it has also been restricted from sale during the summer months due to increased smog concerns, to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 28 issued an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 gasoline nationwide during the summer season.

“This is consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, directing the EPA to consider issuing emergency waivers to allow for year-round E15 sales,” EPA’s press release at the time read.

Before the waiver, in about half of the U.S. states, E15 was prohibited from being sold during summer months, starting on May 1 at terminals and on June 1 at retail stations, according to the EPA.

Alvarez said his bill is a reintroduction of a similar bill sponsored last year by his colleagues that passed the Assembly, but was not considered by the Senate.

Because of its higher ethanol content, E15 is considered to have lower efficiency than the regular 87 grade, which is a blend of up to 10 percent ethanol.

Due to air quality and potential damage to vehicles, E15 has been approved by the EPA only for use in flexible fuel vehicles and conventional vehicles starting with model year 2001.

EPA prohibits E15 used in motorcycles, vehicles with heavy-duty engines such as school buses and delivery trucks, off-road vehicles such as boats and snowmobiles, and engines in off-road equipment such as chainsaws and gasoline lawnmowers.