S. 517 – Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:36 PM UTC

The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act amends the Clean Air Act to change how ethanol fuel blends are treated under Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limits. It updates the language to allow ethanol blends of 10 percent or more and clarifies that certain existing waivers can be used even if they exceed the RVP limit, as long as other requirements are met. The changes affect fuel producers, retailers, and consumers who use ethanol‑blended gasoline.

Key Provisions

Amends the Clean Air Act to insert “or more” after “10 percent,” allowing ethanol blends of 10 percent or higher under the RVP limitation.
Removes the phrase “additional alcohol or” from the RVP limitation language, simplifying the waiver criteria.
Clarifies that waivers granted before January 1, 2017 can still be used even if they exceed the RVP limit, provided the fuel meets all other applicable RVP requirements.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-71.

Environment and Public Works Committee

June 14, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 2, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

March 2, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-71.

Environment and Public Works Committee

June 14, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 517 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Mitch McConnellR-KY · Jun 14, 2017

Mr. President, I have 11 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of…

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 2, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 517

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 2, 2017

Mrs. Fischer (for herself, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Blunt, Mrs. McCaskill, Mrs. Ernst, Ms. Heitkamp, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Sasse, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Thune, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid vapor pressure limitations under such Act.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

2.

Ethanol waiver

(a)

Reid vapor pressure limitation

Section 211(h) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(h)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or more after 10 percent; and

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by striking additional alcohol or; and

(2)

in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting or more after 10 percent.

(b)

Existing waivers

Section 211(f)(4) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(f)(4)) is amended—

(1)

by striking The Administrator, upon and inserting the following:

(A)

The Administrator, upon

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)

A fuel or fuel additive that has been granted a waiver under subparagraph (A) prior to January 1, 2017, and meets all of the conditions of that waiver, other than the waiver’s limits for Reid Vapor Pressure, may be introduced into commerce if the fuel or fuel additive meets all other applicable Reid Vapor Pressure requirements.

.