| Ethanol article [message #97540] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 17:56  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma:
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This is still hovering around--we think we have problems now!
By David Shepardson
Aug. 26, 2010
Weeks before the Obama administration is set to decide whether to allow higher blends of ethanol, automakers and a broad range of other groups are asking Congress to intervene.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers -- a trade group representing Detroit's Big Three automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. and seven others -- and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers joined 36 other groups in asking Congress to hold hearings before the Environmental Protection Agency decides whether to approve ethanol blends of up to 15 percent for vehicle use. A decision by the EPA is expected by the end of September.
"We believe that many important questions remain before EPA can make this decision," the consortium of groups wrote.
"EPA has not released information about the mid-level blend's impact on different types of road and non-road engines, nor has it released information about how it will prevent harm to consumers from 'misfueling' their engines with the incorrect blend."
Other signers have a variety of worries: Environmental groups fret about the impact of boosting ethanol use; the National Turkey Federation and American Meat Institute are concerned that diverting more corn to ethanol will boost feed prices.
And engine producers -- including snowmobile, lawn care equipment and boating manufacturers -- worry that the higher ethanol blends will damage engines.
Late last month, three farm groups called on EPA to approve E12 -- or 12 percent ethanol -- as an interim step.
The American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association "encourage the EPA to formally approve the use of E12 for all motor vehicles as an immediate interim step pending any ongoing additional testing on E15."
Congress has directed the use of nearly 12 billion gallons of ethanol this year, and 36 billion gallons by 2022.
Most pumps already sell E10, which is 10 percent ethanol.
But automakers warn that a higher ethanol blend could boost greenhouse gas emissions, damage engines or disable vehicles.
In addition, increased ethanol blends could corrode engines that aren't specifically built for E15.
Charles Territor, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said EPA should base its decision on "sound science not on political expediency."
He warned the decision could impact all 245 million vehicles on the roads.
"We need to make sure that Congress is fully aware and the EPA gets it right," he said.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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