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New E15 Analysis Confirms No Issues with Engine Durability and Maintenance


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Despite feverish attempts by Big Oil to vilify ethanol government experts prove otherwise


GRAND FORKS, ND - October 24, 2013: In the latest edition of ETHANOL WEEK, the publication's Managing Editor Holly Jessen provided details of the latest U.S. government testing that once again confirmed that E15 and E20 fuels are safe to use on passenger cars and trucks manufactured since 2001. (E15 and E20 fuel is a blend of 15/85% ethanol-gasoline and 20/80% ethanol-gasoline, respectively. E10 is 10% ethanol with 90% gasoline and is the standard regular gasoline blend found throughout America.)

Ms. Jessen's information and story is based on the just-released National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report that concluded there are no meaningful differences between E10 and E15 on engine durability, emissions and other categories. In addition, the 44-page report pointed out that the data does not support the conclusions of controversial Coordinating Research Council (CRC) study that suggested that engines operating on E15 could experience engine failure. The CRC report was sponsored by the oil industry and is used to try and denigrate ethanol's use as an alternate fuel to gasoline.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, pointed out that the CRC study is the centerpiece in the petroleum industry’s fight against E15. Lawmakers have been given the false idea that the study is the only one conducted on E15. The NREL report exposes flaws in the methodology of the CRC study and others, which are often cited by the American Petroleum Institute. “It’s time for Big Oil to stop using actors to scare people about E15,” he said. “It’s time they start paying attention to the overwhelming data and real world experience demonstrating the efficacy of E15.”

The NREL study reviewed 43 studies on E15 use in vehicles model year 2001 and newer but did not include vehicles the U.S. EPA has not approved for using E15, such as pre-2001 vehicles as well as boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles and small off-road engines. To read the NREL report CLICK HERE.

To read the complete ETHANOL WEEK story CLICK HERE.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, which recently released its own E15 testing data, also addressed the NREL report. “[It’s] the final nail in the coffin for Big Oil’s bogus E15 studies,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA executive director. “Big Oil has consistently pointed to two CRC studies as a basis to outrageously claim that E15 will cause engine damage and leave motorists in harm’s way. IRFA’s real world testing data combined with today’s NREL analysis proves Big Oil’s irresponsible statements on E15 cannot be trusted.”