Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, USA



The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week outlined the conditions gas station operators need to meet to sell higher-ethanol gasoline from so-called "blender pumps" that may dispense gasoline with both 10 percent and 15 percent ethanol (E10 and E15, respectively).

Among other requirements, stations need to have at least one pump that distributes solely E10, and to label to its blender pumps with a notice that says "Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law." Additionally, as we heard earlier, anyone buying fuel from a blender pump has to be required to purchase at least four gallons of fuel. That way, any residual amount of E15 in the pump will be diluted enough to not pose harm for vehicles not designed to accommodate higher-ethanol gasoline.

Last June, the EPA officially legalized public sales of E15 in a move federal regulators believe could cut foreign oil dependency, help US farmers and possibly cut emissions. Last month, a US federal appeals court upheld that decision and turned down a request from oil and food trade organizations to consider reversing the decision. Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association and AAA are among groups that have publicly challenged the EPA decision, with AAA late last year requesting for the government to suspend E15 sales.

Check out the EPA's press release below, and read about some of the conditions gas stations need to meet to operate such blender pumps here.Continue reading EPA approves new blender pump for E15 fuel stations, 4-gallon rule still in effect

EPA approves new blender pump for E15 fuel stations, 4-gallon rule still in effect originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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