The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed increasing the maximum amount of ethanol blended in gasoline from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15). An ethanol industry group called Growth Energy and 54 ethanol makers back this increase. This begs a legitimate question for the rest of us. Should anyone else back any increase in the use of ethanol?
The Clean Air Act prohibits a manufacturer of fuel or fuel additives from introducing certain fuels and additives that could damage existing cars without first seeking a waiver from the EPA. The waiver could be granted if the manufacturers can prove their additive will do no harm. The proposed rule would not mandate E15, but would permit its manufacture and use. There is no conclusive evidence that E15 would damage a car’s engine or emissions control systems, but there is some evidence that the higher concentration of ethanol would damage small engines such as those on boats and lawn mowers. Read More at 247WallST.com