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Ethanol group asks EPA to remove barriers to blending more renewable fuel

The American Coalition for Ethanol has told the EPA it should remove regulatory barriers that prevent higher octane ethanol fuel blends from reaching the market.

In a letter sent Friday, ACE President Brian Jennings says the new high-compression turbocharged engines being developed for cars and light trucks need that higher octane, and there are two ways to get it.  “You can either further refine petroleum at refineries, and that’s very expensive to do for the refineries.  The other way is to add more ethanol to a gallon of gasoline.”

Jennings tells Brownfield increasing the amount of ethanol in fuel is cost-effective and ACE is trying to work with the EPA to make that opportunity available.  He says it would also help farmers.  “It’s billions of bushels of corn if we go from where we are today to E25 or E30, and billions of gallons of ethanol, and so that would be good for our rural economy, no doubt about it.”

The EPA’s comment period is over.  Jennings says the anticipated final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) rule for 2021 through 2026 vehicles is expected in March.

Oil refiners have testified they support a new 91 anti-knock index, which ACE says would limit ethanol blends to 10% and cost consumers more money at the pump.  ACE says today’s premium gas provides inadequate octane for high-compression turbocharged engines at a cost-prohibitive price, which is why automakers are leaning towards ethanol.

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