13NR06 - MRF News Release - House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Mid Level Ethanol Blends

OFF THE WIRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 February 2013

Contact:Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Ralations and Public Affairs

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Mid Level Ethanol Blends

On Tuesday, February 26th, the United States House of Representatives Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing entitled "Mid Level Ethanol Blends: Consumer and Technical Research Needs." The hearing panel consisted of three witnesses, the American Automobile Association (AAA), the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Coordinating Research Council (CRG). Vice Chairman Chris Stewart (R-UT) chaired the hearing.

Vice Chairman Stewart had this to say, "Unfortunately, the more E15 is studied, the more concerns are identified. Besides potential widespread impacts on vehicle engines, the EPA has led a haphazard transition to E-15 usage marked by regulatory confusion, bungled implementation, and a lack of consumer education."

The hearing covered a lot of ground but all panelists endorsed one common theme, the need for more research when it comes to using E-15 as a common fuel. E-15 is fuel that has 85% fossil fuel and 15% ethanol or distilled corn fuel.

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