[PsychoSlug]

AP sources: EPA expected to OK higher ethanol blend

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to raise the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline for vehicles manufactured since 2007.

According to people with knowledge of the announcement, the EPA may say as soon as Wednesday that the newer vehicles are able to handle 15 percent ethanol, up from the current maximum of 10 percent for the corn-based fuel. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision.

The ethanol industry has maintained that there is sufficient evidence to show that a 15 percent ethanol blend in motor fuel will not harm engine performance. But the auto industry, environmentalists and a broad coalition of other groups have argued against an increase and called for more testing.

Opponents argue that the increase in production of corn and its diversion into ethanol is making animal feed more expensive, raising prices at the grocery store and tearing up the land. Manufacturers of smaller engines — used in everything from lawn mowers to boats — also oppose increasing the use of the fuel, saying those engines are not designed for the higher concentrations.

The EPA has said a congressional mandate for increased ethanol use can't be achieved without allowing higher blends. Congress has required refiners to blend 36 billion gallons of biofuels, mostly ethanol, into auto fuel by 2022.

The ethanol industry says increased consumption of the renewable fuel creates new jobs and replaces imported oil. The industry group Growth Energy petitioned the EPA to raise the blend earlier this year.

The agency is expected to make a second decision on the ethanol concentration allowed in cars manufactured between 2001 and 2007 after more testing is completed at the end of November. If the higher blends are not allowed for the older cars by the time the 15 percent blend is on the market, it could cause confusion at the pump since different cars could use different blends of gasoline.

The decision was initially expected in December but was delayed twice as the agency and the Energy Department completed testing.

[OBI_agent]

I like eating corn but not burning it....

[flyinb501]

The EPA is a joke. Keep that sh!t out of my car.

[maswastage]

To my knowledge, ethanol has a lower energy content, so adding it to gasoline robs engines of power and efficiency. Add to this the fact that it is potentially harmful to engines (it may even be responsible for HPFP failures in the N54)...makes me even more happy to be driving a diesel.

[lucas.kent]

Done and done. Thanks, EPA (and corn farmers!)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2010


EPA Grants E15 Waiver for Newer Vehicles

A new label for E15 is being proposed to help ensure consumers use the correct fuel

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling fuel that is more than 10 percent ethanol for model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15 – and only to model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. This represents the first of a number of actions that are needed from federal, state and industry towards commercialization of E15 gasoline blends. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson made the decision after a review of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) extensive testing and other available data on E15’s impact on engine durability and emissions.

“Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America’s vehicles, this administration takes those steps.”

A decision on the use of E15 in model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles will be made after EPA receives the results of additional DOE testing, which is expected to be completed in November. However, no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in model year 2000 and older cars and light trucks – or in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines – because currently there is not testing data to support such a waiver. Since 1979, up to 10 percent ethanol or E10 has been used for all conventional cars and light trucks, and non-road vehicles.

Additionally, several steps are being taken to help consumers easily identify the correct fuel for their vehicles and equipment. First, EPA is proposing E15 pump labeling requirements, including a requirement that the fuel industry specify the ethanol content of gasoline sold to retailers. There would also be a quarterly survey of retail stations to help ensure their gas pumps are properly labeled.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated an increase in the overall volume of renewable fuels into the marketplace reaching a 36 billion gallon total in 2022. Ethanol is considered a renewable fuel because it is produced from plant products or wastes and not from fossil fuels. Ethanol is blended with gasoline for use in most areas across the country.

The E15 petition was submitted to EPA by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers in March 2009. In April 2009, EPA sought public comment on the petition and received about 78,000 comments.

The petition was submitted under a Clean Air Act provision that allows EPA to waive the act’s prohibition against the sale of a significantly altered fuel if the petitioner shows that the new fuel will not cause or contribute to the failure of the engine parts that ensure compliance with the act’s emissions limits.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/

[Sniz]

great so now I can be sure my car gets horrible e15 fuel.

ugh.

[Crimson92]

n54 guys are going to lose their minds

[lucas.kent]

Resurrecting an old thread. Today the U.S. Senate EPW Committee held a hearing on ethanol. The panels had several pro-ethanol and a few anti-ethanol groups testify. USDA Secretary Vilsack of course defended subsidies for corn ethanol.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/d...ht-on-ethanol/

http://www.startribune.com/business/119509794.html

Interesting. I can see the VEETC credit and the import tariff disappearing after they expire on Sept. 30, 2011 - but the ethanol industry is going to take it lying down. They'll try and shift the tax incentives/federal dollars to creating additional infrastructure so that higher blends (E20+) can be used....