PI filed a lawsuit Thursday with the D.C. Circuit Court challenging EPA’s most recent Renewable Fuel Standard requirements. Specifically, API challenges the agency’s failure to meet deadlines for the 2014 to 2017 biomass-based diesel standards and for mandating more cellulosic ethanol in 2016 than even exists.
“We will continue to shine a light on this outdated and broken mandate and the need for positive change for the American consumer,” said Frank Macchiarola, API downstream group director. “EPA’s 2016 mandated ethanol volumes push more ethanol into our fuel supply than is safe for the vast majority of cars on the road. This action could harm consumers who could face higher fuel costs and damaged engines as a result.”
The Congressional Budget Office found that consumers could see rising fuel prices if EPA attempts to force more than 10 percent ethanol into gasoline. API requested that EPA set the final ethanol mandate to no more than 9.7 percent of gasoline demand to help avoid the 10 percent ethanol blend wall while meeting strong consumer demand for ethanol-free gasoline.
According to automakers and studies by the Coordinating Research Council (here and here), higher ethanol fuels can cause engine and fuel system damage, and automakers have said using higher ethanol blends would void car warranties.
