On July 26, some 36 environmental and industry groups signed and sent a letter that went to the majority and minority leaders of the Senate urging opposition to any amendment to the upcoming energy bill that would authorize the sale of gasoline with more than 10% ethanol.
The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA), the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) were among the signatories.
Some in the ethanol industry are seeking approval in Congress of proposals to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline by 50%—from the current 10% to 15%.
“Such an amendment would short-circuit existing two-year joint Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy and industry research projects designed to insure that mid-level ethanol blends do not harm gasoline-powered engines, defeat emissions control devices, pose safety risks to consumers, or increase emissions from these engines,” the letter stated. It added, “Sound science, environmental protection and consumer safety – not politics – must guide this important decision. Section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act mandates a detailed scientific review before new fuels, additives, or fuel blends are introduced into commerce. EPA is in the midst of carrying out this review, including soliciting public comment from all stakeholders on the introduction of mid-level ethanol blends. This review must be allowed to continue and must not be pre-empted by Congress.”
The groups that signed the letter included: American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI); American Lung Association; American Meat Institute (AMI); American Petroleum Institute (API); American Sportfishing Association (ASA); American Watercraft Association (AWA); Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM); Association of Marina Industries; Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society/ESPN Outdoors; Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.); Center for Coastal Conservation; Clean Air Task Force; Coastal Conservation Association (CCA); Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF); Earthjustice; Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA); Environmental Working Group; Friends of the Earth; Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA); The Hispanic Institute; Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC); National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS); National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA); National Boating Federation (NBF); National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR); National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA); National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA); Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI); Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA); Sierra Club; Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council); Snack Food Association (SFA); Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA); Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA); The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA).