The Environmental Protection Agency temporarily is set to cut regulations on fuel blended with ethanol in an effort to address gas prices which have soared in recent weeks due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
President Donald Trump’s EPA said on Wednesday that it is waiving federal restrictions to allow the nationwide sale of gas blended with 15%, commonly referred to as E15. The sale of E15 is barred in much of the United States during the summer months to cut back on air pollution. The EPA is also removing “all federal impediments” on the sale of E10 gas. The Trump administration’s move to free up the sale of E10 and E15 gas is set to take effect on May 1 and remain in place until May 20, and it could be extended.
“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. This emergency action will provide American families with relief by increasing fuel supply and consumer choice,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “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.”
Gas prices climbed to a national average of nearly $4 per gallon this week, marking the highest nationwide average since 2022, according to AAA. Diesel prices, meanwhile, have jumped around 40% to an average of $5.37 per gallon. The drastic rise in fuel prices is due to the ongoing war in Iran as the Iranian regime’s attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz has effectively shut down passage in the strait where around 25% of the world’s oil must pass through.
While the United States doesn’t import much of its oil from the Middle East, the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global oil markets, causing prices to rise throughout the world. Brent crude, the international benchmark price point for oil, spiked to nearly $120 per barrel in recent weeks after it sat between $60-$70 per barrel for most of 2025. As of Wednesday afternoon, Brent crude was at $98 per barrel.
President Trump has acknowledged that Americans are feeling some more pain at the pump, but said in the early days of the Iran war that the operation is “far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.” Trump added that gas prices would drop “very rapidly” once the major military operation had concluded.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on March 10, “The recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary. And this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long-term.”
Some of America’s allies — including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan — suggested earlier this week that they are prepared to help the United States secure the Strait of Hormuz.
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