EPA Approves First Applications for E15 Fuel Production
Gasoline with 15 percent ethanol is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Gasoline sold in the U.S. has long adhered to a limit of 10 percent ethanol in the mix; the new steps will boost that number to 15 percent. Opponents argue that this is bad for the environment, bad for food prices (U.S. ethanol is overwhelmingly developed from corn) and bad for engines. Indeed, the EPA does not recommend E15 fuel for vehicles produced earlier than model year 2001, and never for "off-road vehicles and equipment such as boats and lawn and garden equipment."
The EPA's press release, which is included below, notes that the agency "is not requiring the use or sale of E15," but does say that "the Obama administration has set a goal to help fueling-station owners install 10,000 blender pumps over the next five years." Subsequently, the Departments of Energy and Agriculture have provided loans and grants to spur innovation in the E15 marketplace.
EPA to Allow 15 Percent Renewable Fuel in Gasoline
Agency approves first applications for registration of ethanol to make E15
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first applications for registration of ethanol for use in making gasoline that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be mixed with gasoline. For over 30 years ethanol has been blended into gasoline, but the law limited it to 10 percent by volume for use in gasoline-fueled vehicles. Registration of ethanol to make E15 is a significant step toward its production, sale, and use in model year 2001 and newer gasoline-fueled cars and light trucks.
To enable widespread use of E15, the Obama Administration has set a goal to help fueling station owners install 10,000 blender pumps over the next 5 years. In addition, both through the Recovery Act and the 2008 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Agriculture have provided grants, loans and loan guarantees to spur American ingenuity on the next generation of biofuels.
Today's action follows an extensive technical review required by law. Registration is a prerequisite to introducing E15 into the marketplace. Before it can be sold, manufactures must first take additional measures to help ensure retail stations and other gasoline distributors understand and implement labeling rules and other E15-related requirements. EPA is not requiring the use or sale of E15.
Ethanol is considered a renewable fuel because it is generally produced from plant products or wastes and not from fossil fuels. Ethanol is blended with gasoline for use in most areas across the country. After extensive vehicle testing by DOE and other organizations, EPA issued two partial waivers raising the allowable ethanol volume to 15 percent for use in model year 2001 and newer cars and light trucks.
E15 is not permitted for use in motor vehicles built prior to 2001 model year and in off-road vehicles and equipment such as boats and lawn and garden equipment. Gas pumps dispensing E15 will be clearly labeled so consumers can make the right choice.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/
At least we'll have the choice to use it or not. Especially as both my vehicles are pre-'01. E10 was rammed down our throats, I'd be extremely happy if I could find a source of non-ethanol fuel.
Seems like a waste of time though, as anyone with half a brain will avoid it. Paying more to further reduce your fuel economy...yeah, that's a great idea.
I fail to see the benefit of ethanol blended fuels, I can't help but think that some great lobbyists working for the corn producing farmers groups are behind the whole thing.
this will also cause gasoline prices to rise. leading cause of respiratory diseases is alcohol based fuels.
less miles per gallon!?
less power!?
more agricultural diesel equipment!?
they will bulldoze down forests to grow the corn.
they only use the kernel and not the whole plant.
after all sorts of chemicals and poison are poured on the corn kernels, the waste is sold to feed mills and farmers to mix for feed and fed to livestock that you eat from buying in stores and drink the milk.
they could grow switch grass to make ethanol a third of the cost and five times faster.
ethanol is 20 times more expensive to produce then its corrosively worse cousin methanol.
highly corrosive to metals (better metals or cheaper alloys for internal engine parts).
need higher compression.
even stainless steel exhaust systems will quickly rot out internally from the highly corrosive water that combustion produces from these alcohol fuels.
ect...the list goes on.
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