Although some motorists might not realize it, the gasoline they’re putting into their vehicles is 10 percent ethanol.
Since 2010 Florida law has required all gasoline sold at retail stations to be what’s known as E10 — a blend of 90 percent petroleum and 10 percent ethyl alcohol.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now allows E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, to be sold, but don’t expect it to be offered in Florida any time soon. Nationwide, only a dozen or so stations in the corn ethanol-producing states of Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas sell it, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.
In fact, there’s a growing backlash against ethanol with diverse groups calling for repeal of the federal Renewable Fuels Standard that requires increasing amounts of the alternative fuel to be produced each year. The RFS requires refiners to blend 15 billion gallons of biofuels such as corn ethanol into the U.S. fuel supply by 2015.
The thinking is that increased use of ethanol will reduce gasoline prices and promote energy independence from foreign oil. However, a federal Department of Energy study found a 3.7 percent decrease in miles per gallon with E10 and a 5.3 percent drop in fuel economy with E15.
Ned Bowman, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said a huge issue with E15 is that if a consumer puts it in a car not designed to run on it, the engine could be damaged. Vehicle manufacturers have said warranties will be void in such cases.
“There would also be the liability of labeling the pumps to make sure people can understand it and comprehend it,” Bowman said.
In December AAA issued a warning that E15 could damage millions of vehicles and void car warranties even though the EPA says E15 is safe for vehicles from model year 2001 to present.
“More research needs to be done,” said Tampa-based AAA Auto Club South spokesman Mark Jenkins. “AAA is on the same side as a lot of vehicle manufacturers. There are a lot of those that say they should hold off on the sale of E15.”
AAA is not against renewable energy, Jenkins said. A recent survey found that 90 percent of motorists had never heard of E15.
“We just want there to be enough information out there for consumers,” Jenkins said.
Bowman said Florida gas station owners spent $1 billion replacing underground storage tanks in recent years and can’t afford to do it again.
“All of our gas tanks have been replaced in Florida in the last 10 years. EPA regulations required it. All those tanks were certified by United Laboratories for using up to E10. Now you want to put E15 in those tanks? You could not get insurance to insure the underground tanks,” Bowman said.
A half a dozen groups including Environmental Working Group, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and hunger-fighting group ActionAid say the fuel standard is having a negative impact. It’s causing higher food prices due to corn being produced for fuel, resulting in farmland being gobbled up and reducing wetlands and wildlife habitat.
A drought in the nation’s corn-producing regions over the last three years has worsened the situation.
The groups are working together to let Congress know a broad spectrum of stakeholders has concerns about E15.
“Corn ethanol has not only been a disaster for consumers, the hungry, and most farmers and taxpayers; it’s also been a disaster for the environment,” said Scott Faber, EWG vice president of government affairs.
“By dramatically increasing the price of corn, the corn ethanol mandate has, in just the last four years, contributed to the conversion of 23 million acres of wetland and grass land, — an area the size of Indiana — to crop land,” Faber said.
Tom Elam, president of Farm Econ LLC, said increased corn production for ethanol has brought higher feed costs for poultry farmers. Feed costs were $8.8 billion higher in 2012 than in 2005 when Congress enacted the first ethanol mandate.
Jim Currie of the National Marine Manufacturers Association said boat motors are designed to run with fuel that’s 10 percent or less ethanol. Anything above E10 poses serious problems, such as increased emissions and damaged valves, fuel lines and gaskets.
E15 should not be confused with E85, which is a fuel with 85 percent ethanol that is meant only for flex-fuel vehicles. It is sold in Florida.
However, since ethanol contains less energy per volume than gasoline, FFVs typically get about 25 to 30 percent fewer miles per gallon when fueled with E85, the U.S. Department of Energy said.
Written by: Susan Salisbury
Original Publication URL: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/controversial-motor-fuel-with-more-ethanol-raises-/nWMcw/
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