EPA approves 15 percent ethanol for gasoline

Oct. 15, 2010 - - The Environmental Protection Agency has approved blending higher concentrations of ethanol into gasoline for newer vehicles, allowing the corn-based fuel to be up to 15% of mixtures sold at the pump, known as E15. The maximum has been 10% ethanol. EPA announced that the higher blend is approved for use in cars and light duty trucks manufactured since 2007, if retailers want to sell it. The federal agency said it will propose new pump labeling requirements to help consumers figure out which gas to use in which vehicles. “Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks,” EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement. “Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more homegrown fuels in America’s vehicles, this administration takes those steps.”
EPA has said a congressional mandate for increased ethanol use is not possible to achieve without allowing higher blends. Congress has required refiners to blend 36 billion gallons of biofuels, mostly ethanol, into auto fuel by 2022. The ethanol industry has maintained that there is sufficient evidence to show that a 15% ethanol blend in motor fuel will not harm engine performance. They say increased consumption of the renewable fuel creates new jobs and replaces imported oil.