Ethanol seems to have hit a bit of wall. While it has been great for mixing with regular unleaded gasoline at a 10 percent blend, the industry wants to up that amount to 15 percent, overcoming what is being called a “blending wall” that is keeping the green fuel from growing beyond its current levels.

While some might worry what 15 percent ethanol would do to their engines, ethanol advocates, such as Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy… an advocacy group for ethanol… says America’s drivers can rely on higher blends of ethanol even in non-flex fuel vehicles without worrying about damage to engines and pipes.

The federal government is considering changing the rules to allow the higher blend. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed raising the amount to 15 percent and is looking for comments about that idea. The comment period is currently until May 21st, but several ethanol groups are asking to extend that for 60 days. The American Coalition for Ethanol has a petition here that you can sign to encourage the upping of the ethanol blend.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel podcast, you’ll hear from several of these groups pushing for the change, including Bob Dinneen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association first vice president Darrin Ihnen and Jessica Bennett, Director of Public Policy at NCGA, Buis with Growth Energy, as well as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Pretty interesting conversation and you can here it hear: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/domesticfuel/DFCast-5-08-09.mp3]

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

You can find more information about the proposed rule change at the Growth Energy Web site.