Energy Tomorrow Blog
Chicago Speaks Out Against E15 Mandate
e15 renewable fuel standard ethanol lobby engine safety
Mark Green
Posted July 28, 2014
Chicago’s two largest daily newspapers both are editorializing against a proposed ordinance that would require the city’s gasoline stations to offer E15 fuel – a bad idea we debunked last week.
The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune cite a number of similar reasons for opposing the E15 mandate: research showing vehicle engines could be damaged from using a fuel for which they weren’t designed or warranted; significant cost impacts on small business owners who would have to retrofit filling stations to accommodate mandated E15; and skepticism for E15’s promised benefits.
E15 and the 95 Percent
e15 gas blend engine safety epa ethanol lobby consumers
Bob Greco
Posted November 6, 2013
They’re at it again. The ethanol lobby’s biggest voice, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), issued a press release last week trying to defend E15, the controversial fuel blend containing up to 15 percent ethanol. Only in this case, RFA was defending against an imaginary argument.
RFA claims the development of new vehicle models that can withstand E15 – which research has shown could damage enginesand fuel systems in models that weren’t designed to use it – “shines a bright light on Big Oil’s long-sustained, detrimental resistance to infrastructure build out.”
It’s an imaginary argument because no one opposed the increasing availability of E15-compatible cars. The problem with E15 is the 95 percent of the vehicle fleet that isn’t built to handle E15 and the retroactive nature of the E15 partial waiver.
Back to the Facts on E15
rfa renewable fuels standard ethanol lobby ethanol epa e15 coordinating research council
Mark Green
Posted February 1, 2013
The ethanol lobby doesn’t like the latest research on E15 – gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol – because it raises questions about EPA’s premature decision to approve E15 for use in post-2001 cars and light-duty trucks. The Coordinating Research Council (CRC) study warns that E15 could damage fuel pumps and onboard fuel measurement systems, potentially affecting millions of vehicles. This follows last year’s CRC finding that E15 could damage car and truck engines.
Since ethanol producers’ goal is more ethanol use, and an EPA pullback on E15 would get in the way of that goal, attacks on both studies – such as those by the Renewable Fuels Association – aren’t surprising. But let’s be candid: They won’t be around if and when motorists end up on the side of the road with a seized-up fuel pump, damaged by E15 use.
Ethanol and Storage Tank Corrosion
diesel diesel fuel ethanol gasoline ethanol contamination rfa renewable fuels association ethanol lobby
Bob Greco
Posted September 14, 2012