The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delayed a decison on ethanol blending levels until mid-2010.
In a letter sent today to Growth Energy–a bio fuels industry association that had asked EPA to grant a waiver that would allow for the use of up to 15% of ethanol in gasoline–the agency said that while not all tests have been completed, the results of two tests indicate that engines in newer cars likely can handle an ethanol blend higher than the current 10% limit.
The agency said it will decide whether to raise the blending limit when more testing data is available. EPA also announced that it has begun the process to craft the labeling requirements that will be necessary if the blending limit is raised.
In March 2009, Growth Energy requested a waiver to allow for the use of up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline, an increase of five percent points. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA was required to respond to the waiver request by December 1, 2009.
The issue has been divisive, drawing opposition from the auto industry and those who do not want to see additional food crops converted to fuel.
Federal law mandates the production of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022, including 15 billion gallons this year. However, demand for those gallons has been weaker than expected.
Read additional coverage in the Des Moines Register at the link below.
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