Growth Energy urges US authorities to support mid-level ethanol blends

US lawmakers should recognise the potential of mid-level ethanol blends to contribute to the fight against greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from traffic, a US ethanol trade association says.

Growth Energy is urging authorities to support high-octane mid-level ethanol blends in the wake of a recent report by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge, Argonne, and National Renewable Energy Laboratories.

According to the study, mid-level ethanol blends could offer “significant benefits” for the US, including increased vehicle efficiency, increased acceleration, and reductions in GHG emissions.

In particular blends such as E25 and E40 have significantly more octane which allows automakers to manufacture more efficient engines without compromising performance.

In response to the study, Growth Energy director of regulatory affairs, Chris Bliley said it “reinforces what consumers know”.

“As the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the California Air Resources Board undertake their mid-term review, they should appropriately recognise the ability of high-octane, mid-level ethanol blends to meet the future GHG and fuel economy standards,” Bliley said.

This article was written by Ilari Kauppila, deputy editor at Biofuels International