Cathy Landry | 202-682-8122 | landryc@api.org
WASHINGTON, December 1, 2009 - The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to delay until mid-2010 a decision on the allowable ethanol content in fuel:
“EPA made a sound decision in deciding to wait until it has the scientific data and durability tests completed before increasing the allowable ethanol content in fuel. Thorough vehicle and engine studies that develop robust, scientifically supported data are needed to ensure that adverse impacts, such as engine damage, are avoided. API is actively supporting the studies that are currently underway.
“API is concerned that EPA seems willing to consider a waiver of only part of the vehicle fleet (2001 and newer vehicles). While ethanol and other renewable fuels do - and should continue to - play an important role in helping to meet our nation’s energy demand, it’s important that the short- and long-term impacts of increasing the amount of ethanol blended into motor fuels be evaluated on the full vehicle fleet before a waiver decision is made.”
Updated: December 1, 2009