EPA seeks comments on ethanol blend rate request
Posted on April 17, 2009
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On April 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is seeking public comment regarding a request from ethanol producers for a waiver under section 211(f)(4) of the Clean Air Act to permit ethanol blends with gasoline of up to 15 percent (E15) by volume, according to recent news release from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, of Washington, D.C.
The current blend rate is set at about 10 percent. The public comment period will be open for 30 days. By law, the EPA must make a decision by December 1, 2009.
Growth Energy and 54 ethanol producers submitted the application to increase the blend rate on March 6, 2009. Ethanol proponents argue that increasing the blend rate is needed to keep pace with the renewable fuel mandates under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act and to assure continued investment in bringing next generation biofuels to market.
The law requires 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuel (mainly ethanol) to be blended in 2009, 12.95 billion in 2010, 13.95 billion in 2011, rising steadily to 36 billion gallons by 2022.
With reduced liquid fuel demand due to the recession, ethanol producers are concerned that the market will soon reach a blend wall at the 10 percent blend rate, a point at which the liquid fuel market is saturated below the mandated ethanol production level.
Many environmental and consumer groups and small engine and car manufacturers are concerned that the increased blend rate might damage pollution control equipment, reduce air quality, and undermine vehicle and equipment performance and warrantees.
The EPA and Department of Energy are currently testing the effects of higher blend rates on engine performance and emissions.
For more information, go to EPA Registration and Health Effects Testing.
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