AFPM '12: US group calls EPA decision on E15 blend 'irresponsible'

03 April 2012 03:13  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ICIS)--The US decision to allow ethanol blends in gasoline of up to 15% (E15) is "irresponsible", the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) said on Monday.

The statement followed the announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had approved the first applications for the registration of E15.

US gasoline is now mostly blended with up to 10% ethanol.

"Unfortunately, today's EPA announcement represents yet another in the agency's unwise, premature and irresponsible series of actions in its rush to force E15 to the marketplace," said AFPM president President Charles Drevna.

The EPA is introducing E15 before necessary testing is complete, Drevna said, claiming the higher ethanol blend could endanger the safety of US consumers and severely damage vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment.

The US ethanol industry claims E15 is safe, but the new rule is unlikely to increase demand for ethanol because of concerns about liability, a broker said on the sidelines of the International Petrochemical Conference (IPC).

Ethanol blends higher than 10% have been used for years in Brazil, where gasoline is now sold with a 20% blend.

Hosted by the AFPM, the IPC continues through Tuesday.

By: William Lemos
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