Media Contact: Monte Shaw

515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

June 30, 2011                                                                                                               

IRFA Issues Statement on EPA’s Final E15 Rule

Background:  The EPA recently released its final rule outlining requirements for the sale of E15 to 2001 and newer passenger vehicles.

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw issued the following comments:

On the E15 rule

“IRFA members are grateful to the EPA for finalizing the rule.  It has been a long time coming,  and while it is not what we had hoped for in every aspect, it does provide a pathway for moving E15 forward.  We believe that Iowa is at the forefront of addressing the remaining issues and that some retailers in Iowa will be offering E15 yet this year to drivers of 2001 and newer passenger vehicles.”

On the mandatory E15 pump label

“The Halloween pumpkin orange ‘draft’ label was apparently left to fade in the sun for a couple of months.  That is a ‘peachy’ improvement.  And most of the language changes were fair and add clarity.  However, IRFA is very disappointed the EPA left in the ‘may cause damage’ warning for vehicles 2000 and older.  The EPA admitted that they have ‘insufficient’ data to conclude that damage would occur, so I guess ethanol is guilty until proven innocent.  Under the EPA’s rationale, E0 (gasoline only) pumps should have a similar warning, because running a car on gasoline certainly degrades the emissions control system over time.”

On NPRA’s comments

“Big Oil will stop at nothing to protect their federal 90% petroleum mandate – including raising the specter of another anti-E15 lawsuit.  They are clearly afraid that, given the choice, consumers will choose ethanol blends.  Further, NPRA’s claim that they remain committed to selling “safe” fuel, as opposed to blends like E15, is laughable.  This is the industry that chose lead over ethanol, chose MTBE over ethanol, and now would like to choose known human carcinogens like benzene over ethanol.  Finally, I’m not a lawyer so we’re going to have to look into whether NPRA’s absurd comments on the inevitability of damage from misfueling are libelous.”

On the Environmental Working Group (EWG) comments

“Sadly, some so-called environmental groups continue to fear farmers more than oil sands refiners.  Ethanol takes less energy to refine and has a much lower greenhouse gas profile.  Ethanol takes less water to produce.  Ethanol reduces tailpipe emissions of smog forming pollutants, particulate emissions and human carcinogens.  Yet the EWG is disappointed the E15 pump label wasn’t a stronger warning and that the EPA didn’t mandate similar labels for E10.  Interestingly, the EWG didn’t suggest similar warnings for gasoline-only fuels.  It is disappointing how many so-called environmental groups have become pawns for Big Oil.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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