Ethanol industry fears ‘black eye’ from premature E15 sales

Fuel industry and ethanol industry chiefs have warned gas station operators not to sell E15 ethanol fuel to vehicles other than Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).

The Petroleum Marketers Association and Renewable Fuels Association have written to their members warning that it is still illegal to sell ethanol-gasoline blends above a 10% ethanol content to vehicles other than FFVs.

Concerns are that press reports of the approval of E15 by the Environmental Protection Agency could lead to sales of E15 before the fuel has been approved at state level.

The industry groups urged fuel retailers to remain vigilant, to avoid “unintentionally” offering E15 to customers driving non-FFV vehicles.

An early sale could mean an “unnecessary and avoidable black eye” for the industry, the groups warned.

The PMAA/RFA letter warned that there was a “cadre” of regulations, standards, and labeling issues that must be addressed before retailers can legally offer E15 to non-FFV cars and light trucks.

The letter was responding to reports of some fuel retailers installing E15 buttons on their pumps following the EPA approval.

The trade associations said: “It is still unlawful to sell E-15 to anything other than a flexible fuel vehicle, even though EPA has approved E-15 for 2007 and newer vehicles. Until health effects testing is completed, fuel producers have a 211(b) certification from EPA, certain state fuel regulations amended, and EPA’s misfueling and labeling proposed regulation finalized, E-15 sales must be confined to and labeled specifically for flexible fuel vehicles only.”

source: brighterenergy.org