New York considers raising ethanol blend limit

Source: By James Osborne, Fuel Fix • Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Tom Haag checks the progress of this years corn crop which he expects to do well if we avoid September freezes, August 15, 2013, in Eden Valley, Minn. Haag, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association travelled to China with Governor Dayton last year and expects Chinese imports of U.S. grain to increase as more Chinese gain a higher standard of living. (Glen Stubbe/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

(Glen Stubbe/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

State officials in New York are considering whether to allow the sale of E15, gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol, for model cars 2001 and newer.

The rule change was proposed by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets late last month, ending the current limit on gasoline above 10 percent ethanol.

The rule change comes as ethanol manufacturers led by South Dakota-based POET urge state officials around the country to raise limits on ethanol blends – something authorized by the EPA.

Groups including the American Automobile Association have warned filling up with E15 could potentially damage the engines of cars unless they are specifically designed to handle the higher concentration of ethanol.  Fewer than 15 percent on the cars on the road today are approved to use E15.

At present E15 is sold at more than 300 locations across 25 states, according to the D.C.-based trade group Growth Energy.

“E15 is a 21st century fuel for 21st century vehicles and is approved for nearly 90 percent of the cars on the road today,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in a statement.

|