Coalition of auto, boat and outdoor power equipment manufacturers files lawsuit to block sale of ethanol gasoline
On Oct. 13, 2010, federal EPA partially granted ethanol energy group Growth Energy's waiver request application to allow fuel and fuel additive manufacturers to introduce into commerce gasoline that contains greater than 10 volume percent (vol%) ethanol and up to 15 vol% ethanol (E15) for use in certain motor vehicles once certain other conditions are fulfilled.
On Dec. 20, Reuters reported that the Engine Products Group, a new coalition which includes the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers Inc. and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the district of Columbia Circuit to block the sale of the higher volume fuel.
A spokesperson for the Engine Products Group, said the EPA’s decision to allow higher blends for some cars could confuse consumers and damage could occur if the wrong fuel was used in engines of some vehicles, boats, lawnmowers and chain saws.
In November food groups, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the National Meat Association, filed a suit seeking to overturn EPA’s E15 decision. The groups said allowing E15 could push up food prices because U.S. ethanol is produced mostly from corn, which is also used for livestock feed.