EPA: High-ethanol fuel blend safe to use

If you believe this dribble then I have prime real estate in South Central Florida for sale. E15 will eat at all of your gaskets and cause all kinds of trouble.

Nathan Hurst/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington— Drivers shouldn't worry about using gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol, a key Environmental Protection Agency official said Thursday amid deep insistence from Republican lawmakers and automakers that such use could damage engines.

GOP members controlling the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee overseeing energy and environmental legislation used the Thursday hearing on allowing so-called E15 fuel to be sold nationally to criticize the EPA's decision to move forward with a controversial waiver allowing the sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol.
Currently, ethanol blends of up to 10 percent are the norm at gas stations across the country, and the EPA has approved a waiver allowing up to 15 percent.

Margo Oge, director of the agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said her scientists conducted extensive research showing that "no unusual damage was found compared to control vehicles tested with normal gasoline."

But that claim came as both lawmakers and auto manufacturers alike cried foul. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., insisted the wavier — which would allow fuel stations to sell gasoline mixed with up to 15 percent ethanol, but not require its sale — isn't a "science-based decision" and warned that automakers had come out strongly against approval.

Auto industry leaders circulated letters among Capitol Hill reporters this week, opposing the introduction of E15 into the American market.

Despite restricting the sale of E15 for use only in vehicles model year 2001 and higher, the manufacturers said they were unable to ensure that their customers wouldn't encounter problems by using the fuel.

Some of those same manufacturers — including Detroit's Big Three — have autos designed to burn E85, which is only 15 percent gasoline.

But those that aren't, manufacturers warn, could encounter reduced engine lifespan, poor performance and costly repairs. Officials with groups representing small engine manufacturers echoed that sentiment at Thursday's hearings.

The EPA approved an orange-and-black label for E15 pumps in late June, which will have to be applied to any equipment dispensing the 85 percent gasoline, 15 percent ethanol blend. That label warns against use in cars with model years earlier than 2001 and in motorcycles, boats and gas-powered lawn equipment.

nhurst@detnews.com
(202) 662-8738 From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110708/AUTO01/107080340/EPA--High-ethanol-fuel-blend-safe-to-use#ixzz1RkWZ5Oxo