EPA delays decision on boosting ethanol blends

[rickaren]

EPA delays decision on boosting ethanol blends

Posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 PM EST. (Employee News)

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday delayed a decision on whether it will allow an increase in the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline, The Detroit News reported.

But the EPA suggested it was leaning toward eventual approval, saying current research shows vehicles made in 2001 or later wouldn’t be affected by raising the amount of ethanol to as much as 15 percent, the paper said. The agency disclosed Tuesday it will make a final determination by mid-2010 when it completes research on more automobiles, the News said.

“While not all tests have been completed, the results of two tests indicate that engines in newer cars likely can handle an ethanol blend higher than the current 10-percent limit,” the EPA said. “The agency will decide whether to raise the blending limit when more testing data is available.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers—a trade group representing 11 automakers including Detroit’s Big Three—praised the announcement, the story said. “We are pleased that EPA recognizes the importance of making decisions based on sound science,” said the group’s president and CEO Dave McCurdy. “Widespread failures resulting from higher blends of ethanol would be costly to automakers, a setback for the biofuels industry and, most of all, a disaster for the driving public.” (The Detroit News)