Chalk one up for the big, bad ethanol lobby -- and for big farm states like Minnesota.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol for newer model cars, SUVs and light trucks. The hard-fought and long-anticipated ruling (the Pawlenty administration, among others, had been weighing in) applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15. The waiver also is restricted to model year 2001 through 2006 passenger vehicles. (Newer vehicles were already exempted last October). The decision was hailed by Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, now the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. "Today's decision gives certainty to those in the industry and will create jobs, expand agriculture markets and make ethanol available to more consumers," Peterson said. "A strong ethanol industry is essential to advancing the next generation of renewable fuels from the farm and reducing our dependence on foreign energy."