Posted on: October 20, 2010 in E15, Ethanol, EPA, Fuel, Production

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal posted “The Ethanol Bailout”, in response to the U.S. EPA grant of the E15 waiver for MY2007 and newer cars and light trucks, claiming ethanol is highly corrosive and will damage to engines and exhaust systems. Yet, test after test has shown that ethanol blends up to E15 are safe and effective for all vehicles. The following is my Letter to the Editor:

“Given the nature of the your editorial "The Ethanol Bailout" (Oct. 18), it may come a surprise that I agree with the Journal that the EPA's decision to allow more ethanol use in gasoline is not based on all the science. If it were, the EPA would have allowed the use of up to 15% ethanol in a gallon of gasoline for every vehicle on the road.

“Test after test has proved E15 to be safe and effective for all vehicles. Analyses from highly respected automotive engineers have routinely shown that E15 poses no additional risk to vehicle fueling or exhaust systems than using current E10 blends.

“The desire to use more domestically produced renewable fuels isn't driven simply to increase market share or stock prices of ethanol producers. It is predicated on the need to reduce the $1 billion of wealth Americans transfer to other nations on a daily basis. It is predicated on the need to lessen American exposure to hostile and unstable regions of the world by reducing our reliance on imported oil. It is predicated on the need to develop a domestic industry that creates jobs that cannot be sent to China or India.

“On all of these counts, ethanol has proved to be a resounding success. With billions of dollars now being invested in next-generation biofuel technologies, America is poised to assert its role as the world leader in renewable energy. The only thing standing in the way are the entrenched interests hell-bent on protecting the petroleum status quo.”

Bob Dinneen

President and CEO

Renewable Fuels Association

Washington

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