EPA Seeks Public Comment on
Raising Ethanol Blend Level to E15
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is seeking public comment on a waiver application submitted by the ethanol organization, Growth Energy, and 54 ethanol manufacturers to authorize up to 15 percent ethanol blends with gasoline. The 30-day comment period will run through at least May 20, 2009. By law, the EPA is required to grant or deny the request no later than December 1, 2009.
Since 1978, the limit has been a 10 percent volume ethanol blend (E10) for conventional (non flex-fuel) vehicles. The Growth Energy request, submitted on March 6, 2009, asks EPA to authorize E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend.
According to the EPA release, the applicants contend that increasing the blend rate is needed to bring greater investment to next generation biofuels technologies and commercialization. And the higher blend rate is arguably critical to fulfilling the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act's renewable fuel mandates. The mandates currently require:
- 2009 - 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels (from a variety of sources) to be blended
- 2010 - 12.95 billion gallons
- 2011 - 13.95 billion gallons
- 2022 - 36 billion gallons
Opponents (typically environmental and consumer groups and small engine and car manufacturers) counter that the increased blend rate might damage pollution control equipment, reduce air quality, and undermine vehicle and equipment performance and warranties.
The EPA, Department of Energy and engine manufacturers are currently testing the effects of higher blend rates on engine performance and emissions.
Find more information on the E15 request.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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