Trump administration waives gasoline regulations in bid to lower prices: What to know

Gas prices continue to rise amid global tensions

Oil prices surpassed $100 per gallon, affecting the cost of gas across the United States amid the war in the Middle East. FOX 5 DC's Melanie Alnwick joins LiveNOW's Carel Lajara with an update on gas prices in the D.C. area. 

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration said Wednesday that it would temporarily waive some summer gasoline regulations in a move that they hope will tamp down consumer prices that have soared since the Iran war began.

EPA waives summer gas rules in effort to ease prices

What they're saying:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is under the administration, said it would temporarily allow widespread sales of a higher-ethanol gas blend. 

"President Trump is unleashing American Energy Dominance, and today’s action will directly lower prices at the pump and gives a clear demand signal to our domestic biofuels producers," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

A gasoline station attendant pumps gas into a car at a filling station. (Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The sale of E15 is typically limited during the summer months because it can contribute to harmful air pollution.

Lawmakers call for Trump’s EPA to approve E15

The backstory:

Lawmakers from across the aisle had called for Trump’s EPA to approve the blend known as E15 in the summer to try to lower prices at the pump. 

Past administrations have taken similar measures, and the biofuel is already allowed in the summer in some states.

In Kansas, Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids has requested and been granted emergency waivers for E15 for several years, from EPA administrations under presidents of both parties. 

This week U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, urged the Trump administration to take "a no-cost, immediate step" to curb rising domestic fuel costs amid the Iran war.

The other side:

But not all experts are convinced the move will lower gas prices more than a few cents, and consumers may be trading lower costs at the pump for higher prices at the grocery store.

"Corn used for ethanol is corn that’s not used for food," said University of Minnesota professor Jason Hill. Instead, he thinks this move is a signal of goodwill to farmers, coinciding with planting season, encouraging them to plant corn despite rising fertilizer and diesel costs.

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The oil industry has generally opposed expansion of E15, arguing that biofuel blending is costly and raises gasoline prices. But a vice president at the American Petroleum Institute wrote in a statement that they supported this move. "By temporarily easing summer fuel requirements, this action helps ensure American consumers continue to have access to affordable, reliable energy," Will Hupman said.

Gas prices soar amid Iran war

Big picture view:

The move comes as gas prices around the world have soared over the past month as the ongoing Iran war continues. In the U.S., average prices are inching toward the $4 mark and, as of Wednesday, sat at $3.98 per gallon, according to AAA’s tracker. 

In three states, California, Hawaii, and Washington, drivers are already paying more than $5 per gallon, AAA’s figures show.