Wisconsin warns that blending ethanol with unreformulated gasoline increases emissions

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said that the blending of ethanol with unreformulated gasoline will cause an increase in nitrous oxide emissions and ground-level ozone smog. Reformulated gasoline has a lower evaporation point, and was traditionally used in Wisconsin until the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act in December massively increased the ethanol blending activity in the state.

Ethanol blending background: E20/E30

In Washington, the American Coalition on Ethanol presented findings on research showing that cars running on E20 and E30 blends achieved better mileage than cars running 100 percent conventional gasoline. Scientists at General Motors, whose cars were involved in the test, were unable to explain how the ethanol blend, which contained 6 to 11 percent less BTUs, could get better mileage. In the tests, a Chevrolet Impala flex-fuel vehicle running E20 achieved 15 percent better mileage than when running 100 percent gasoline. Tests were also conducted on Toyota vehicles.

The president of the Renewable Fuels Association, Bob Dineen, recently said that the RFA and the state of Minnesota have engaged in a test program for higher blends of ethanol than E10. The study looks at materials compatibility, drivability and emissions. Dineen said that although the full test data is not in, he hasn’t seen any show-stoppers that would prevent conversion to E20. An unrelated Department of Energy study is looking at durability and the impact of E20 or higher on small conventional engines. Dineen said he is hopeful that an application could be made next year to the EPA for permission to use higher level ethanol blends.

E20 efforts are on the rise on many fronts. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr, speaking at the NAFB’s Trade Talk event, told the Brownfield Network “Everybody that wants to invest has to have assurance that we can get past this E10 blend wall. The Department of Energy … and EPA are aggressively pursuing how to get to …. E15 or and E20.”

South Dakota Senator John Thune met earlier this year with the director of President Bush’s economic council to push for an E20 mandate to increase demand for ethanol. Thune said that lack of support from automakers was unimportant compared to the importance of reducing US dependence on foreign oil.

In Michigan, automakers have responded to news of Minnesota’s testing of E20. They stated flatly that the fuel does not have EPA approval and is illegal. A General Motors spokesman told USA Today that in a GM test of E20 in Australia, “40% of the vehicles sustained (catalytic converter) damage, which allowed essentially unchecked tailpipe emissions.” Chrysler added that use of E20 would void the manufacturers’ warranty.

A new study by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University suggest that US cars could burn E20 without flex-fuel engines. Gene Hugoson, Minnesota agriculture commissioner told USA Today “We see E20 not exactly as bypassing E85, but supplementing it.” Ethanol proponents have targeted E20 as an alternative to E85, which has been dogged by controversy and low sales.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recently called on President Bush to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to approve E15, E20, E30 blends. Grassley said that with E85 not gaining acceptance, the US had to find other ways to ensure a market for higher blends of ethanol.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has launched a project to offer flex-fuel vehicle owners a choice of E10, E20, E30, E50 and E85 at selected service stations, and will study the fuel efficiency.

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