American Petroleum Institute Downstream Group Director speaks out against high ethanol blend gasoline bill
American Petroleum Institute (API) Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola held a press
conference recently on the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which he said does not help
consumers and does not fix the broader problems of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The bill, S.517, would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver, which was granted to E10 fuel for its overall lower emissions profile, to fuels contacting more than 10 percent ethanol. This would likely increase the sale of high ethanol blend gasoline E15.
“The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act gives a false choice to the consumer because 85 percent of the vehicles in the U.S. fleet were not built for E15 and this fuel is not compatible with motorcycles, boats, lawn equipment, and ATVs.” Macchiarola said. “The choice offered in this bill is a bad one.”
Macchiarola cited studies that found that E15 is not compatible with the vast majority of cars being used today and that increased use of this fuel could lead to higher gas prices.
He also said at the press conference that the bill would reverse Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) precedent and Clean Air Act protections.
“We urge lawmakers to take up real RFS reform and not be distracted by this flawed bill,” Macchiarola said.
A group of 28 biofuel producers and trade associations recently sent a letter to members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, urging them to support the legislation, calling it “vital to the advanced biofuels industry.”
“By allowing E15 to be sold year round, more retailers will offer E15 and we can create marked headroom for our next generation fuels,” the letter said. “While we continue to support the RFS in its entirety, we also recognize that in order to fully unleash the potential of second generation fuels we must find a pathway for consumers to gain access at the pump.”