By Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. President Joe Biden plans to announce Tuesday that he will increase the supply of biofuel-blended gasoline in the summer to reduce fuel prices and reduce dependence on foreign sources.

It is part of the administration’s latest efforts to reduce inflation. Inflation reached an all-time high of 40 years on Tuesday. [L2N2W91K]. Biden’s poll numbers are now weakened by higher consumer prices. This is a major liability going into the November midterm elections.

From June 1 through September 15, the measure will permit Americans to continue to buy E15 gasoline, which contains a 15% blend of ethanol. E15, which is 10 cents more expensive on average than gasoline and less energy dense, would still reduce fuel costs, according to officials speaking on the call.

These savings are especially important during summer, when fuel prices rise and supply emergencies arise. [Russian President Vladimir]”Putin’s aggression persists,” said a top administration official.

Two sources who were familiar with the talks say that the White House held several weeks-long internal deliberations in which environmentalists like Gina McCarthy faced off against Tom Vilsak (a former governor of Iowa).

E15 has been banned from summer consumption due to concerns about its contribution to hot-weather smog. But, studies have shown that E15’s 15% fuel mix may not cause more smog than the 10%.

Russia’s invasion and subsequent boycotts of Ukraine pushed gasoline prices record-high, making it vulnerable for Biden’s Democratic colleagues in the November congressional elections.

Biden declared last month that the United States would begin selling 180 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the highest amount of oil released from this stockpile since its creation in 1970s.

Biden will announce the E15 Extension announcement at POET Bioprocessing in Menlo (Iowa), during his visit.

“We applaud President Biden and his administration for recognizing that low-cost, low-carbon ethanol should be given a fair opportunity to strengthen our energy security and reduce record-high pump prices,” Renewable Fuels Association President Geoff Cooper said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officials stated, is planning to issue a nationwide emergency waiver in June to effect the changes. According to the White House, additional actions are being considered by the EPA in order to permit the year-round use of E15.

However, success isn’t guaranteed. In 2019, the courts rejected a bid made by Republican Donald Trump’s predecessor Biden to renew a waiver which allowed for year-round E15 sales.

Biden’s official preview said that his administration will have a different approach and authority than Trump, but didn’t give any details.

The EPA also stated that it would partner with the states in order to make sure there is no significant impact on summer air quality from the prolonged sale of E15.