The Environmental Protection Agency says it will complete a rule to allow the year-round use of E15 for the 2019 summer driving season, despite the government shutdown. Minnesota Biofuels Association Executive Director Tim Rudnicki is optimistic the agency will follow through and get that done, although he admits their timeline is very tight.

He says the partial government shutdown has kept the agency from moving forward with the rulemaking and public comment period to meet the June 1 deadline for summertime use.

Rudnicki says EPA needs to get the rule done by June 1 because consumers are demanding E15 in states like Minnesota.

The Trump administration had wanted the E15 rule out by February.