<< Back to Driving Force, March 2012
Federal Update
Ethanol in Gasoline
House Committee Wants Ethanol to be Reevaluated
The U.S. House Science Committee approved a SAN-supported bill that directs the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on how gasoline blended with 15 to 20% ethanol (E15 and E20) may impact gas-powered vehicles. The analysis would consider a variety of issues including tailpipe emissions, materials compatibility and fuel efficiency. The House bill would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from introducing E15 into the marketplace until the report has been submitted to the House Science Committee. The bill will now be considered by the full House of Representatives. Ethanol increases water formation in the gas tank, which can then produce formic acid and corrode certain metal, plastic and rubber parts. Last year, the EPA approved the sale of E15 for MY 2001 and later vehicles. The EPA agreed with the SAN's concerns that ethanol poses a threat to older vehicles and made it "illegal" to fuel pre-2001 vehicles with E15. However, the SAN contends that a gas pump warning label will not protect consumers from accidentally misfueling these vehicles. E15 is not yet in the marketplace and is still the subject of several lawsuits and legislation to block the sale.