The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is pleased with the Environmental Protection Agency decision to allow the use of up to 15 percent ethanol blended gasoline in vehicles 2001 and newer, but says more can and should be done to allow E15 in all cars and pickups.

“EPA’s decision today is a sound one, but it doesn’t address the issues that still remain regarding a segmented market place and the introduction of a new fuel,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “The RFA will continue to work with EPA and other regulatory bodies to expand ethanol use beyond even 15%. Simultaneously, we will continue our dialogue with lawmakers to develop and implement sound, tax-based policies that provide the proper incentives to grow ethanol use across a variety of blending levels.”

In an interview with Domestic Fuel this morning, Dinneen also speculated on when E15 might actually be commercially available. “I think you’ll see it in 2011 on a limited basis,” he said, mainly in states where there are not as many regulatory barriers. “Clearly there are going to be some marketers who are going to want to give consumers this important choice.”

As to those groups who are opposed to even limited E15 approval, Dinneen says, “I think the same folks that filed a lawsuit to stop the use of E15 in 2007 and newer vehicles will most certainly object to this ruling as well and may likely file more lawsuits. I don’t think they will be successful. I think EPA is on solid legal and technical grounds.”

Listen to or download my interview with Dinneen here: Bob Dinneen on New E15 Decision