WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first applications for registration for the use of 15% ethanol in gasoline (E15). Up until April 2012, only 10% ethanol could be mixed with gasoline for use as vehicle fuel.

The EPA said this action follows a technical review, and that registration is a prerequisite to introducing E15 to the market. The EPA said it is not requiring the use or sale of E15. In addition, the organization said that before vendors can sell it, manufactures must take measures to ensure retail stations and other gasoline distributors understand and implement labeling rules and other E15-related requirements.

The EPA does not permit the use of E15 in motor vehicles built prior to the 2001 model-year and in off-road vehicles and equipment (boats and lawn and garden equipment).

The EPA stated that the Obama Administration set a goal to help fueling station owners install 10,000 blender pumps over the next 5 years. You can find out more information about E15 here.