A coalition of ethanol producers called Growth Energy has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to increase the amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline from a maximum of 10 percent to 15 percent. The producers say this could boost ethanol demand by as much as 6 billion gallons a year.
The increase is opposed by automakers and manufacturers of various types of outdoor power equipment, who say increased ethanol content would not be compatible with today's gasoline-powered engines and could create problems with fuel lines, emission control systems and other engine components. Auto manufacturers argue that the best way to increase ethanol use is to expand the refining and use of E-85 (85% ethanol-based) fuels. E-85 is used in so-called "flex fuel" vehicles, of which approximately 6 million are currently in use.
The appeal to increase the blend limit has been made several times in the past, most recently by Midwest governors at a meeting last month in Washington.
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