11-15 FB Ethanol E15

 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a partial decision recently on the pending E15 waiver, announcing its approval of the use of up to 15 percent ethanol per gallon of gasoline, only in vehicles model year 2007 and newer.  EPA also denied the use of E15 in vehicles from model year 2000 and older.

 The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), a national advocacy association for the U.S. ethanol industry, made the following statement regarding the Agency’s decision.  From Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE:

 “While some will portray this partial E15 waiver as a major victory and others will suggest it is completely unworkable, the truth lies somewhere in between.  ACE views it as a very small first step and we will work to try and make the best of it.  While we are pleased EPA finally made a decision, restricting the use of E15 to 2007 model year and newer vehicles is inadequate and will not sufficiently move the demand needle for ethanol.”

 I asked Mr Jennings the reason: “They denied these older cars and they have absolutely no data to support that decision. It’s outrageous.”