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EPA sends ethanol regulations to White House
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent its final regulations to the White House for Presidential approval, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports. This is the final step in the approval process before the mandate can be revealed.
Last year, the EPA proposed that the amount of ethanol to be produced by refiners actually be reduced over previous years. This plan to reduce the amount of ethanol to be produced by refiners sent shockwaves through the energy community. Petroleum users lauded the proposal as a step in the right direction. The MRF testified at an EPA hearing on the proposal in favor of more study on the effects that E-15 can have on the components of a motorcycle. The MRF is also actively supporting legislation to end the sale of E-15 fuels until a comprehensive, scientific study is conducted by an independent agency. To date the EPA has only tested the higher ethanol blend's tail pipe exhaust emissions, no testing was done on the power train of a motorcycle itself before the blend was approved. The proposal was by far one the most controversial ever put forth by the EPA and received over 340,000 public comments. While the EPA announced the White House review they did not release whether any changes were made to last year's proposal to lower the amount of ethanol that needs to be produced. The EPA will release the final rule after the White House and other federal agencies weigh in. The White House has 90 days to review the proposal and issue a response. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will keep you informed on this issue. |
Thursday, September 4, 2014
14NR37 - EPA sends ethanol regulations to White House
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