Here is the return I received from our Senator:
From: Senator Schumer [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2014 4:12 PM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: A message from Senator Charles E. Schumer
Dear Mr. Link:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the introduction of the E15 ethanol-gasoline blend into the market. I agree that we must consider consumer concerns as we formulate policies with the goals of energy independence and sustainable energy development.
As you know, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated increases in the total amount of biofuels added to gasoline on the market, in an attempt to promote a shift toward energy independence and the use of alternative fuels. Under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) direction, greater amounts of ethanol have been added to gasoline over time. Today, the great majority of gasoline sold in the US is E10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Based on new government research, the EPA has granted a waiver for the selling of E15, a blend of 15 percent and 85 percent gasoline, but only for cars and light pickup trucks with a model year of 2007 or later; but decided not to grant a waiver to sell E15 for use in motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines. The EPA has allowed certain gas stations to sell E15 but has not required gasoline stations to offer E15, as most stations do not have the infrastructure to support distributing E15.
The EPA has required warning labels on pumps that sell E15 and has taken measures to limit the inadvertent blending of E15 with conventional gasoline. When E15 and a conventional gasoline are sold using the same nozzle and hose the EPA suggests no less than 4 gallons of conventional fuel be purchased so that any residual E15 in the hose is diluted and has a minimal impact on the vehicle.
I will continue to keep a close eye on this issue to make sure that consumer concerns are being addressed with regards to future EPA requirements and the transparency of E15 vending.
Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this important issue. Please feel free to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance on this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
Please do not respond to this email. To send another message please visit my website at
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/Contact/contact_chuck.cfm . Thank you.