Consumers are raising concerns over the use of ethanol in fuel—specifically the E15 gasoline/ethanol blend—with complaints of damage to engines, notably in motorcycles, lawn mowers, and boats.
In response to a recent rash of complaints, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin’s 5th District has introduced a bill asking for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek an independent scientific analysis on the effects of E15 blend gasoline.
“The EPA’s decision to allow E15 into the marketplace will impact every American who owns a car, lawnmower, or boat,“ Rep. Sensenbrenner said, in an Oct. 14 statement. ”Automakers insist that using E15 will void warranties, lower fuel efficiency, and cause premature engine failure. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users.
Sensenbrenner questioned the agency’s testing of the ethanol blend, and subsequent push to market. “There are serious concerns that the EPA used only one Department of Energy test and rushed E15’s introduction into the market place,” he said.
“This test was limited in scope and ignored a plethora of evidence— albeit inconvenient evidence for the EPA— that shows E15 gasoline has a negative effect on engines. I introduced this legislation to ensure a decision of this magnitude will be vetted by independent scientific research, rather than political expediency,” Sensenbrenner said in the release.
In January, the EPA waived a limitation on selling blend gasoline of more than 10 percent ethanol “for model year (MY) 2001 through 2006 passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light pickup trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15.”
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson had reviewed Department of Energy testing on E15’s effect on emissions for older vehicles, model years 2001–2006. The waiver had previously been issued in October for model year 2007 and later vehicles.
“Recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks,” said Jackson. “Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more homegrown fuels in America’s vehicles, this administration takes those steps.”
According to Rep. Sensenbrenner, when he asked 14 automakers about the effects of E15 many responded that the blend voids warranties, damages engines, and lowers fuel efficiency.
Nine automakers, including Toyota, Chrysler, and General Motors expressed concerns over the higher 15 percent blend’s use in engines in a June 23 letter to Sensenbrenner, questioning the use of E15 and expressing “concerns about the potential harmful effects of E15 in engines and fuel systems that were not designed for use of that fuel.”
For decades ethanol has been mixed with gasoline, with a ratio of about 10 percent ethanol to 90 percent gasoline, known as E10. Right now federal regulators let individual states decide to label pumps, however many states don’t have ethanol labeling at the pump.
Consumers are complaining as using gasoline blends with any higher a percentage of ethanol than E10 risks voiding the warranty of outdoor power equipment and other engines, including those in cars. Also, many small-engine manufacturers are concerned about the effects on boat motors, chain saws, and lawn mowers.
American Coalition for Ethanol, a Washington-based trade association of ethanol producers and corn growers, said in a press statement that ethanol is perfectly safe for cars and small engines sold today, and say it’s boosting the economy by adding jobs in corn-growing states.
The development of ethanol was promoted by the USDA in January, when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement on the EPA’s E15 fuel waver. “Expanding the use of E15 in America’s vehicle fleet gives consumers the option of purchasing domestically produced renewable transportation fuels and also support America’s farmers and ranchers,” Vilsack said.
Sensenbrenner’s bill requires the EPA to conduct an independent evaluation of short and long-term environmental, safety, and performance effects of E15 on on-road and non-road vehicle engines.
Congressman Sensenbrenner is the vice chairman of the House Committee on Science.
