New E15 label gets like, not love, from ethanol industry

June 29, 2011 |

In Washington, the EPA issued fuel pump labeling and other requirements for gasoline blends containing more than 10 and up to 15 percent ethanol, known as E15.  These requirements will help ensure that E15 is properly labeled and used once it enters the market.   
The new orange and black label must appear on fuel pumps that dispense E15. This label will help inform consumers about which vehicles can use E15.

This label will also warn consumers against using E15 in vehicles older than model year 2001, motorcycles, watercraft, and gasoline-powered equipment such as lawnmowers and chainsaws.

Over the past year, EPA issued two partial waivers under the Clean Air Act that in sum allow E15 to be sold for use in model year 2001 and newer cars and light trucks.  EPA based its waiver decisions on testing and analysis showing that these vehicles could continue to meet emission standards if operated on E15.

Industry reaction:

Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol

“EPA’s final label is more informative than their initial label which seemed inflammatory.  We remain concerned EPA feels it must say E15 may damage some motor vehicles without the evidence to prove that, however.  ACE will continue working aggressively to make E15 workable, “Jennings said.

Ron Lamberty, the Vice President of Market Development for the American Coalition for Ethanol:

“This is an improvement over the proposed label, and we appreciate the fact that some of the changes recommended by our industry were adopted. It is unfortunate that the “may cause damage” language was used in the absence of any proof that it might.  We’ve been concerned that the strategy of E15’s opponents to provide anecdotal “spook stories” instead of science, might be successful, and we will need to overcome this to make E15 workable.”

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis

“We appreciate EPA finally releasing this rule in response to Growth Energy’s E15 petition. This is another step in the process to get E15 into the marketplace later this year, which will create U.S. jobs, improve the environment and strengthen national security by displacing foreign oil.”

Category: Fuels

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