Trump waives summer gasoline regulations to ease fuel prices
Summer gasoline regulations will be waived for 20 days, and possibly longer to try to ease gas prices.
Updated on: March 25, 2026 / 3:57 PM EDT / CBS News
The Trump administration will temporarily lift summer gasoline regulations as prices at the pump near $4 a gallon amid the Iran war.
The emergency fuel waiver allows refiners and retailers to sell E15 gasoline, which is blended with 15% ethanol, over the summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Wednesday.
Restrictions on selling E10 gasoline, which contains 10% ethanol, will also be temporarily lifted, according to the agency. Normally, federal rules require a switch to more costly summer blends from June 1 through Sept. 15 because gas with higher ethanol content can evaporate more easily in hot weather, contributing to air pollution.
The waivers take effect on May 1 and will be in place through May 20.
"EPA is working with our federal partners to reduce unnecessary costs and uncertainty and ensure that gas prices remain affordable for all Americans through the summer," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement. "This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice."