AAA has it right: Halt sale of E15
Washington,
Nov 30 -
Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) today released this statement regarding AAA’s call for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop sale of E15 until there is more extensive testing and better consumer education on the risks of using E15, including known problems such as engine damage and voided warranties.
“AAA’s findings affirm what we have already heard—E15 causes premature engine damage and voids warranties, even on new models," Sensenbrenner said. "Concerns about E15 are not diminishing, they are increasing. That is telling. When an organization like AAA, a nationally trusted source for motorists, calls out the EPA, you would think the Administration would listen.”
“I introduced legislation to do exactly what AAA recommends. My legislation would require the EPA to task the National Academies of Science with conducting an unbiased study of E15.”
Sensenbrenner’s legislation, H.R. 3199, passed the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology by a vote of 19-7. This bill requires a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and technical research on the implications of fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol.
From AAA’s announcement today:
“A recent survey by AAA finds a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval of E15 gasoline. An overwhelming 95 percent of consumers surveyed have not heard of E15, a newly approved gasoline blend that contains up to 15 percent ethanol. With little consumer knowledge about E15 and less than five percent of cars on the road approved by automakers to use the fuel, AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected.”
“Only about 12 million out of the more than 240 million light-duty vehicles on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use E15 gasoline, based on a survey conducted by AAA of auto manufacturers. AAA automotive engineering experts also have reviewed the available research and believe that sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage and false “check engine” lights for any vehicle not approved by its manufacturer to use E15.”
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