On Tuesday, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) once again introduced legislation – H.R. 21 – that would hinder the growth and expansion of E15. The legislation would revoke current approval of E15 and require additional testing of the higher-level fuel blend. Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, released the following statement: “The study Mr. Sensenbrenner seeks has been done. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy undertook the most exhaustive analysis ever conducted prior to approving the 211(f) fuel waiver. But even more significantly, E15 has been driven more than 100 million miles by consumers without a single reported case of engine failure or performance problems.
“The growing acceptance of E15 has been further demonstrated by auto companies who continue to provide warranty coverage to E15 in their new vehicles. A recent RFA report showed that automakers approved E15 use in nearly 70 percent of all new vehicles.
“The rest of the world has moved beyond the hyperbolic angst about E15 and has accepted the fact that higher level ethanol blends are good for consumers, good for air quality, and good for energy security. Mr. Sensenbrenner should as well.”