Source: Edmunds.com
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilscak said today that all signs point to federal approval of E15 - an ethanol-containing automotive fuel that's 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline.
"I am optimistic on E15 because there has been some indication from the Department of Energy that in their tests of newer-model vehicles with E15, it does not create any problems," Vilsack told reporters after testifying at a Senate Appropriations hearing today. "I think that's a good sign."
Facing saturation of their market at today's allowed blending level, ethanol producers have lobbied hard for U.S. EPA to allow gas stations to mix more ethanol into petroleum fuels. Regulations now restrict ethanol in gasoline to no more than 10 percent.
Biofuels advocate Growth Energy petitioned EPA last year to raise the "blend wall" for gasoline. EPA officials delayed a final decision on the fuel last December but said that if tests remained supportive, they may approve E15 for newer cars by mid-2010.
EPA and Transportation Department researchers are conducting tests on the fuel, including tests to see if it works well in vehicle engines.
