Eight Midwest Agriculture Department Heads Ask Bush to Speed Approval of Higher Ethanol Blends
News Date December 05, 2007
The heads of eight Midwestern state departments of agriculture have asked President Bush to help speed the approval of cars and gas pumps to that can take advantage of higher ethanol blends.
Currently, most ethanol in the nation is sold as E10, which is 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. This blend has been tested extensively and shown to reduce pollution while having no harmful effects on engine wear or on the functioning of gas pumps.
Initial research into higher ethanol blends, such as E15 and E20 (fuel that is 15 and 20 percent ethanol respectively) show similar benefits, but more testing is necessary to make sure these blends can be used without adverse affect on car engines or gas pump functions. The full text of the letter is available at http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/press/press9107.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)