Introducing higher blends of ethanol into gasoline sold at pumps across the US would require changes in federal and state fuel blending requirements, the distribution system of pipelines, tanks and pumps and labeling requirements, said analysts at Sierra Research who completed the
study.
The study comes in advance of the Environmental Protection Agency's decision whether to raise the amount of ethanol that may be blended into gasoline to 15% from 10% of each gallon.
"Our study found that the introduction of higher-level blends into the marketplace is not simple or straightforward. There are many changes that need to be made to federal, state, and local requirements as well as issues with vehicle warranties and the country's fuel distribution and marketing infrastructure," Jim Lyons, a senior partner at Sierra Research, said in a
press statement.
But the oil industry is hardly one to criticize fuel types, particularly following on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, said ethanol trade groups in Washington.
The "oil industry doesn't like ethanol. I'm stunned," said Matt Hartwig, spokesman for the Renewable Fuels Association. "Perhaps the oil industry should have spent more time studying blow-out preventers instead of attacking a proven and safe fuel."
EPA scientists found no problem with increasing the amount of ethanol after conducting a series of tests last year. At that time, the agency indicated it was likely to approve the new fuel-blend after it completed its rulemaking.
China Chemical Weekly: http://news.chemnet.com/en/detail-1411716.html
