A coalition of auto makers, engine and boat manufacturers has issued a legal challenge to the US’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval of a waiver for the use of E15 for use in vehicles produced in 2007 or later.
The Engine Products Group filed the petition yesterday to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Part of the coalition, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) issued a statement to explain the appeal, saying that EPA had granted approval for the E15 fuel-a mixture of 15 per cent ethanol and 85 per cent gasoline-before critical studies on it had been completed. The group says that independent studies to ensure that the fuel will not increase air pollution, harm engines, or endanger consumers are critical before any new fuel is introduce to the market and while they support the development of alternative fuels, they are ‘reluctantly’ pursuing legal action against EPA for acting ‘prematurely’.
Meanwhile the US Renewable Fuels Association remains fully in support of ethanol use even suggesting that the approval should be granted for older vehicles too.
In a statement to the press the assocation commented:"EPA could have avoided this kind of market confusion by following all the science to its logical conclusion and allowing the use of E15 for all cars and light duty pickup trucks. The only way to meet the nation’s energy, economic and environmental goals as put forth in the Renewable Fuels Standard is to increase ethanol consumption.
“Allowing for the use of E15 blends is a safe and appropriate step toward meeting these goals. The RFA will continue to press for the safe and effective use of higher level ethanol blends in both conventional as well as flexible fuel vehicles."
