EPA To Allow 15% Renewable Fuel in Gasoline

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it has taken a step toward wide distribution of gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol (E15) by allowing manufacturers to register as suppliers. While the EPA is moving the process forward by allowing the registration, E15 must still clear another set of federal tests and become a registered fuel in individual states, according to the Associated Press. Ethanol makers must then convince petroleum marketers to sell it at gas stations.

Most ethanol fuel sold for passenger cars and pickups today is 10% ethanol and 90% gas. The new blend, that boosts ethanol to 15%, would only be sold for use in 2001 and newer vehicles.

The 20 ethanol makers that have registered to sell E15 so far include large corn ethanol manufacturers like Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Cargill Inc. Four corn ethanol makers in Iowa, the nation’s leading corn producing state, also registered.

Meanwhile, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers has challenged the government’s efforts to offer E15 in court, and president Charles Drevna issued a statement saying, with a lawsuit pending, the EPA should not rush E15 to market. He claims fuel with higher ethanol content can damage engines not equipped with upgraded rubber parts, gaskets and other fittings. Many opponents also worry that, although E15 would not be approved for older vehicles, boats, lawnmowers and other small engines, consumers may mistakenly use it.