Isra-Mart srl:EPA green lights richer ethanol blend

www.isra-mart.com

Isra-Mart srl news:

Nearly two-thirds of cars on America's roads will soon be able to use fuel containing a higher proportion of biofuel, after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled on Friday that fuel containing up to 15 per cent ethanol can be used in vehicles built from 2001 to 2006.

The decision, which had been delayed on several occasions over the past few months, follows an earlier ruling allowing so-called E15 fuel to be used in cars and light trucks built since 2007 and will provide a major boost to the US ethanol industry.

Critics within the auto industry had claimed that because ethanol burns hotter than conventional fuels richer blends could damage engines.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson dismissed concerns over safety and engine wear and tear, stating that "recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks".

The move was welcomed by biofuel groups, which urged the EPA to now go further still and approve E15 for all vehicles.

"EPA's decision today is a sound one, but it doesn't address the issues that still remain regarding a segmented market place and the introduction of a new fuel," said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen in a statement. "The RFA will continue to work with EPA and other regulatory bodies to expand ethanol use beyond even 15 per cent."

The EPA has said it is unlikely to make a decision on whether to expand the use of E15 further in the near future as significantly more testing is required to ensure it is safe for all vehicles. As a result there are concerns that many fuel stations will refuse to invest in new pumps that can only be used by some customers.

Meanwhile, the auto industry, ranchers and a number of green groups united in criticism of a move that they believe will lead to increased food prices and negligible environmental benefits as demand for corn increases.

The EPA's decision is facing a legal challenge from the auto industry and could also face a congressional hearing after Republican Senator James Inhofe called for the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee to stage an oversight hearing about a decision that has been made despite "growing bipartisan concerns over ethanol's mechanical problems and its economic and environmental impacts".