LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted a waiver to allow summer sales of E15 to continue throughout 2026, making it the fifth such yearly waiver as the ethanol industry waits for Congress to make E15 sales permanent nationwide.

The action comes amid continued U.S. military operations in the Middle East and increasing concerns about energy supplies and market fluctuations.

"This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a news release on Wednesday.

"President Trump has prioritized ensuring American families have an affordable domestic energy supply. The Trump administration has made great strides on this during the first year and will continue to do so."

The Renewable Fuels Association said in a statement the news was "welcomed" to continue providing lower-priced E15 to consumers.

The action will allow continued sales of E15 at nearly 5,000 gas stations across the country, according to the RFA.

"During a time of highly volatile fuel prices and instability in global crude oil markets, President Trump and (EPA) Administrator (Lee) Zeldin understand that year-round E15 is a solution that can extend domestic fuel supplies and reduce pump prices for hardworking American families," RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in a statement.

"With geopolitical conflict roiling energy markets worldwide, we applaud President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for acting quickly and decisively to combat potential fuel shortages and help keep a lid on gas prices this summer. Today's action will allow maximum flexibility and fuel fungibility in the marketplace, which is exactly what the supply chain needs right now. We also appreciate the efforts of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, several Midwest governors and the many ethanol supporters in Congress who worked together to promote continued access to E15."

E15 blend is legally approved for use in more than 95% of vehicles on the road today, according to the EPA. Drivers typically save 10 cents to 40 cents per gallon when filling up with E15, saving the typical household hundreds of dollars on their annual fuel bill, the RFA said.

American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings said the reaction of fuel prices to the ongoing war in Iran makes it a good time for the EPA action.

"If ever there were justifiable conditions to merit an emergency waiver for E15, it would be now as fuel prices have skyrocketed from war with Iran and a historical oil market disruption in the Strait of Hormuz," Jennings said in a statement.

"Despite this action, Congress must still act quickly. Enactment of E15 legislation has recently been held hostage by a handful of small and mid-sized oil refiners trying to line their pockets at the expense of American consumers and farmers. Instead of letting these disingenuous concerns by a small subset of refiners, some who are Fortune 500 companies, stall action, Congress should stand with the supermajority of oil refiners who have united with agriculture, biofuel, and fuel retail groups in favor of bipartisan action from Congress on year-round E15."

As of Wednesday morning, E15 had been selling at an average of 28 cents per gallon less than regular gasoline, an 8.6% discount, according to real-time tracking at RFA's website reporting prices of ethanol blends.

"For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs stability and long-term certainty," Cooper said.

"Consumers, fuel producers, and farmers alike desperately need Congress to pass legislation that would deliver permanent year-round access for E15 and finally break the cycle of ad hoc, stop-gap emergency waivers."

The RFA said American voters show support for year-round E15, pointing to a survey of more than 2,000 register voters taken by Morning Consult last week that found 71% of those polled support efforts to increase the availability of E15 -- up two percentage points from a December survey. The same survey found 66% support for the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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