The National Farmers Union (NFU) and South Dakota Farmers Union are raising concerns that a proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule would ban the use of E16 or higher blends of ethanol in non-flexible fuel vehicles.
The organizations sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt this week urging EPA not to finalize the proposed rule, Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS), as it is written.
“If the REGS rule were finalized as proposed, it would codify a ban on E16+ fuel blends in non-flexible fuel vehicles,” said the letter. “This would unduly restrict use of ethanol’s ‘clean octane’ in the U.S. gasoline market, inflicting severe damage on the nation’s family farmers, and the public health and welfare.”
“The most cost effective and environmentally safe way for EPA to comply with Section 202(l) (of the Clean Air Act) is to encourage the widespread use of EXX/E30 blends in 98 – 100 RON higher octane gasoline…This is consistent with automakers’ requests to support higher octane fuels. Unfortunately, the REGS proposed rule would do the exact opposite—it would prevent their use.”