By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed regulation to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) year-round. |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed regulation to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) year-round. Currently, the EPA prohibits the sale of E15 between June 1–September 15 due to concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog. The EPA’s rulemaking is an effort to increase the availability of E15, as ethanol supporters maintain that few gas stations sell the fuel since E15 could only be legally sold for part of the year.
SEMA opposes this proposed rulemaking and the expansion of E15 sales. The EPA has turned to sales of E15 to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard’s artificial mandates to blend large volumes of ethanol into gasoline sold in the United States each year. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001. It is important that the EPA hears from SEMA members and automotive enthusiasts who oppose the expanded sales of E15.
Please submit comments to the EPA by Monday, April 22. Visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website for suggested talking points to include in your comment.
For additional details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.