This week the Environmental Protection Agency allowed a waiver temporarily for 12 states to be able to access higher blends of ethanol. The move was made in response to the lack of refinery capacity due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. South Dakota Corn Grower’s Association President Troy Knecht is hoping that will lead EPA to lifting the Reid Vapor Pressure rule permanently for all states.

He says a permanent lifting of the RVP not only gives consumers more access to higher biofuel blends, it also would benefit the nation’s economy.

Knecht who also serves on the American Coalition for Ethanol Board says they’ll be pushing Congress when they return from the August break to pass legislation to allow the RVP waiver permanently.

The need for additional fuel came about due to Hurricane Harvey’s impact which led to the shutdown of nearly a dozen refineries.