U.S. EPA Responds to Ethanol Waiver Request

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to a biofuels industry request to allow for the use of up to 15% ethanol in conventional gasoline. EPA announced that although not all studies have been completed, the current data indicates that 2001 and newer model year vehicles will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends. In March 2009, Growth Energy, a biofuels industry group, requested a waiver to increase the ethanol content in conventional gasoline from 10 to 15%. EPA has been evaluating the request and has received public comments as part of its rulemaking process. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy have also undertaken a number of studies to determine whether vehicles can operate on higher ethanol blends without modification to the vehicles. EPA’s response to Growth Energy noted that the agency has also begun taking steps to address fuel pump labeling requirements should EPA approve the use of ethanol blends greater than 10%. EPA expects to make a final determination in mid-2010, after additional studies have been completed. For more information regarding this announcement, refer to the EPA Registration and Health Effects Testing website.