Higher Blends of Ethanol On The Way?

U.S. government must act soon to raise blending of ethanol

The U.S. government must act "fairly quickly" to increase the rate of 10 percent blend of ethanol with gasoline in 2 to 3 percentage points, said on Monday the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

Agricultural groups and marketing of ethanol say that the proportion may be increased to 15 or 20 percent without harming the engine of cars. A group of ethanol, Growth Energy, last week formally asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the proportion is 15 percent.

The EPA has nine months to respond to the request. Authorities Growth of Energy said that the EPA may allow a mixture of 12 or 13 per cent in meantime.

"We can, we believe, acting reasonably quick to raise the rate of mixing for 12 to 13 percent in the meantime," Vilsack told the convention of the National Union of Producers. After that, he said, the proportion of mixture may rise to 15 or 20 per cent

The proponents argue that a small increase in the rate of mixing can facilitate compliance with federal provisions for the use of renewable fuels.

Higher Blends of Ethanol On The Way?

March 10, 2009