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US lawmakers voice concern over possible hike in ethanol blend

https://www.chemnet.com   Aug 03,2010
US congressional leaders have asked the Environmental Protection Agency
to answer a litany of questions regarding a possible increase in the amount of
ethanol used in conventional vehicles.


Their bipartisan concerns over a possible ethanol-gasoline blend hike
were voiced in a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, sent Thursday, that
one marketer group said could put a "wrench" in plans to boost ethanol demand.


"We are writing to request information about what plans, if any, the
Environmental Protection Agency has developed to ensure that increasing the
permissible level of ethanol in gasoline is accomplished in a way that does
not present any potential harm to air quality, consumers' investments in cars,
trucks, and other engines and equipment, or small business owners' investment
in gas stations," the lawmakers wrote.


"While renewable fuels can help the improve US energy security,
preliminary information raises significant questions about whether...E15 may
cause durability or operability problems, or increased air pollution," they
said.


Signing the letter were US House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman
Henry Waxman (Democrat-California), ranking member Joe Barton
(Republican-Texas); Edward Markey, chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and
Environment (Democrat-Massachusetts), and subcommittee ranking member Fred
Upton (Republican-Michigan).


"The partnership of Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Joe Barton (R-TX) on this
issue underscores the odd coalition -- environmentalists, oil and gas
companies, food producers, engine manufacturers and retailers -- that has
emerged to challenge an ethanol industry trade group's request that the EPA
allow an increase in the amount of ethanol mixed with gasoline," fuel marketer
association SIGMA said in a newsletter released Friday.


The letter could put "a substantial wrench in the ethanol industry's
effort to allow the sale of gasoline that contains up to 15 percent ethanol,"
said SIGMA.


EPA could not be immediately reached for comment.


Citing the need for more testing, the agency has postponed until the fall
a decision on whether to boost the amount of ethanol for use in conventional
vehicles to a 15% blend with gasoline (known as E15) versus the current 10%
level. The agency is mulling approval of higher ethanol blends for specific
models of vehicles, a bifurcated system that some ethanol producers say will
curb demand for the blends rather than increase it.


A bifurcated system could also end up confusing consumers, leading to
misfueling, the officials said in their letter to Jackson.


"Based on the experience with the transition from leaded to unleaded
gasoline, a significant amount of accidental or intentional misfueling would
be likely," they said.


EPA hopes a "labeling rule" it has crafted would make such errors
unlikely.


Among questions posed in the letter are whether EPA can "assure" that
certain model years of cars and other types of engines can handle E15; if the
agency will make engine test results public and take comments; if engine
warranties will be voided; what mileage changes will there be from a higher
ethanol level and if a state or locality ban the sale of E15.


"Allowing the sale of renewable fuel in a way that damages equipment,
shortens its life, or requires costly repairs will likely cause a backlash
against renewable fuels," said the lawmakers' letter. "It could also seriously
undermine the agency's credibility in addressing fuel and engine issues in the
future."
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