Auto industry wants a pause on ethanol fuels
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAMA) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) have joined 36 other groups asking Congress to hold hearings before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decides whether to approve ethanol blends of up to fifteen percent (E15) for vehicle use. The industry believes the hearings will show that caution is needed before moving ahead with E15.
“We believe that many important questions remain before EPA can make this decision,” the AAMA and AIAM told Congress in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
EPA has not released information about the mid-level blend's impact on different types of road and non-road engines, nor has it released information about how it will prevent harm to consumers from 'misfueling' their engines with the incorrect blend,” the letter said.
Congress passed legislation several years ago mandating the use of nearly 12 billion gallons of ethanol this year, and 36 billion gallons by 2022.
Most pumps already sell E10, which is 10 percent ethanol. But automakers worry that to reach the Congressional mandate, that percentage will need to be increased and warn that a higher ethanol blend could boost greenhouse gas emissions, damage engines and disable vehicles.
In addition, increased ethanol blends could corrode engines that aren't specifically built for E15.
Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said EPA should base its decision on “sound science not on political expediency.” He warned the decision could impact all 245 million vehicles on the roads. “We need to make sure that Congress is fully aware and the EPA gets it right,” he said.
Late last month, three farm groups called on EPA to approve E12 — or 12 percent ethanol — as an interim step. The American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association “encouraged the EPA to formally approve the use of E12 for all motor vehicles as an immediate interim step pending any ongoing additional testing on E15.”
EPA is expected to make its decision before the end of September.
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