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Joy.
Wonder how gas stations will separate the blends? I know I'll look for the E10 label (wish there was a ethanol free gas where I lived).
Wonder how gas stations will separate the blends? I know I'll look for the E10 label (wish there was a ethanol free gas where I lived).
Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will announce today that it is approving a higher blend of ethanol known as E15 for use in tens of millions of older vehicles.
The EPA has decided to approve the use of the fuel for 2001 to 2006 model years, a person briefed on the matter said late Thursday.
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The decision is a victory for the ethanol industry and corn farmers, who have been pushing to increase the percentage of ethanol. The decision may help convince retailers to carry the fuel when the EPA finalizes new labels.
In October, the EPA approved the use of E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, for use in vehicles built in the 2007 model year and newer. Most gasoline has 10 percent ethanol, known as E10.
The EPA rejected the use of the higher blend for vehicles older than the 2001 model year, but had delayed a decision on approving use for 2001-06 model year vehicles.
Automakers have expressed concerns about using a higher percentage of the corrosive ethanol blend, and last week a trade association representing foreign automakers asked Congress to review the matter.
"There is very strong evidence that higher level ethanol blends can cause significant environmental, emissions, engine durability, operational and potentially safety problems in many gasoline engines," wrote Mike Stanton, president and CEO of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
Before E15 can be sold, EPA must finalize a labeling rule to warn consumers that the higher blend is only for certain vehicles.
All major automakers filed suit last month in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington to block a federal plan to allow fuel stations to start selling E15. Boat manufacturers and lawn equipment makers joined in the suit. The EPA has not approved the use of E15 for small engines, such as those in boats, snowmobiles and lawnmowers.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson defended the decision in October.
"Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks," Jackson said.
The EPA has decided to approve the use of the fuel for 2001 to 2006 model years, a person briefed on the matter said late Thursday.
Advertisement
The decision is a victory for the ethanol industry and corn farmers, who have been pushing to increase the percentage of ethanol. The decision may help convince retailers to carry the fuel when the EPA finalizes new labels.
In October, the EPA approved the use of E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, for use in vehicles built in the 2007 model year and newer. Most gasoline has 10 percent ethanol, known as E10.
The EPA rejected the use of the higher blend for vehicles older than the 2001 model year, but had delayed a decision on approving use for 2001-06 model year vehicles.
Automakers have expressed concerns about using a higher percentage of the corrosive ethanol blend, and last week a trade association representing foreign automakers asked Congress to review the matter.
"There is very strong evidence that higher level ethanol blends can cause significant environmental, emissions, engine durability, operational and potentially safety problems in many gasoline engines," wrote Mike Stanton, president and CEO of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
Before E15 can be sold, EPA must finalize a labeling rule to warn consumers that the higher blend is only for certain vehicles.
All major automakers filed suit last month in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington to block a federal plan to allow fuel stations to start selling E15. Boat manufacturers and lawn equipment makers joined in the suit. The EPA has not approved the use of E15 for small engines, such as those in boats, snowmobiles and lawnmowers.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson defended the decision in October.
"Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks," Jackson said.
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