Association works to block E15

The Alliance of Automobile manufacturers, an association of 12 vehicle manufacturers, has joined forces with other groups to urge the Congress to disallow a new rule which could see E15 – a blend of 15% ethanol – used in vehicles manufactured from 2001 onwards.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made the E15 blending announcement last month.

Automakers want this regulation blocked and on 16 February the alliance joined 14 other groups in sending a letter to the House leaders, calling on them to support an amendment that will stop the EPA moving ahead with the new regulation.

In addition to The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, other groups against the introduction of E15 include the American Bakers Association, American Meat Institute, American Petroleum Institute, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, National Turkey Federation, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and Speciality Equipment Market Association.

The letter states: 'Our organisation rarely agree on any public policy issue, but we are united in opposing the premature introduction of E15.

'Protection of the environment and the nation's motorists must take precedence over the politics of biofuels. Simply stated, this amendment will call a halt to EPA's headlong rush to introduce E15, at least until unbiased and independent testing on the impact of E15 on vehicles and off-road engines and the environment can be completed.'