EPA OKs E15 for 2011 and Newer Vehicles

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STREATOR, Ill. (DTN) — The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it has approved emissions data submitted for gasoline blends with up to 15{962fe9be9a8a5c386944bfa41f48d98b010325707b70b1fa6182bcabd27c5d7f} ethanol known as E15, and that E15 can now be sold for vehicle models 2001 and newer.

Friday afternoon, EPA released an evaluation of information submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy for satisfying the emission and health effects data requirements for registration of E15. EPA said it concluded that the submissions would be sufficient to satisfy those requirements.

“E15 may be lawfully sold by a fuel or fuel additive manufacturer only after the manufacturer has registered E15 and met the conditions of the partial waivers,” EPA said, adding that there are a number of additional factors including federal, state and local laws that may also affect distribution of E15.

The waivers are at the request of Growth Energy, an ethanol trade association, and 54 ethanol manufacturers.

On Oct. 13, 2010, EPA granted the first partial waiver for E15 for use in model year 2007 and newer vehicles, including light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles. On Jan. 21, 2011, EPA granted the second partial waiver for E15 for vehicle model years 2001 to 2006.

“These decisions were based on test results provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and other test data and information regarding the potential effect of E15 on vehicle emissions,” EPA said in its news release Friday.

EPA also issued a rule on July 25 of last year to help inform consumers about the appropriate use of E15 “to reduce the potential for misfueling of vehicles, engines and equipment that are prohibited from using E15.”

This brings E15 another step closer to the pumps, according to Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol, a national ethanol advocacy association.

“Americans are paying record high prices for this time of year, and E15 could save drivers 12 to 15 cents per gallon versus straight gasoline,” Jennings said.

The Renewable Fuels Association echoed Jennings’ remarks.

“Increasing America’s use of homegrown ethanol will create jobs, reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, and make the nation more energy secure,” said Bob Dinneen, RFA president and CEO.

“Now it is up to the retailers and individual fuel companies to register for approval to sell E15,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

E15 has been tested and retested by the EPA and DOE, and is proven safe for cars and light trucks that were manufactured in 2001 and later, according to Ron Lamberty, ACE senior vice president. Lamberty noted that most fuel retailers can store and pump it through existing tanks and lines.

 

© Copyright 2012 DTN/The Progressive Farmer, A Telvent Brand. All rights reserved.

Posted with DTN Permission by Haylie Shipp

 

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