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What are we asking for?

Growth Energy and 54 ethanol producers are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the use of ethanol blended with gasoline up to 15 percent. By increasing the blend of ethanol in our gasoline just five percent, we will help boost our ailing economy by creating American jobs, increasing our energy independence, enhancing our car performance, and greening our environment.

Arm Yourself with the Facts:

• E15 Fact Sheet
• Job Creation Benefits of E15
• EPA Waiver Press Release
• Technical Support Letter for E15

Waiver Information

• Letter to EPA
• Waiver Application
• Waiver Cover Letter
• Scientist Letter to EPA
• Environmental White Paper
• A Rational Approach to Qualifying Materials for Use in Fuel Systems
• Mancini Catalytic Converter Letter 

Review the Science:

Access further information through the following studies that support the benefits of E15:

• Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small Non-Road Engines, Report 1—UPDATED, prepared by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy (February 2009). This peer-reviewed study regarding the effects of E15 and E20 on motor vehicles and small non-road engines concludes that when E15 and E20 were compared to traditional gasoline, there are no significant changes in vehicle tailpipe emissions, vehicle driveability, or small non-road engine emissions.
• Optimal Ethanol Blend-Level Investigation, Final Report, prepared by Energy & Environmental Research Center and Minnesota Center for Automotive Research for American Coalition for Ethanol (October 2007). This report studied the effects of ethanol blends ranging from E10 to E85 on motor vehicles and found that exhaust emissions levels for all vehicles at all levels of ethanol blend were within the applicable Clean Air Act standards.
• The Feasibility of 20 Percent Ethanol Blends by Volume as a Motor Fuel, Results of Materials Compatibility and Driveability Testing, prepared by the State of Minnesota and the Renewable Fuels Association (March 2008):
  • The Effects of E20 on Metals Used in Automotive Fuel System Components. The study compared the effects of E0, E10 and E20 on 19 metals and found that the metals tested were compatible with all three fuels;
  • The Effects of E20 on Elastomers Used in Automotive Fuel System Components. The study compared the effects of E0, E10 and E20 on eight elastomers and found that E20 caused no greater change in properties than E0 or E10;
  • The Effects of E20 on Plastic Automotive System Components. The study compared the effects of E0, E10 and E20 on eight plastics and found that there was no significant difference in the properties of the samples exposed to E20 and E10;
  • The Effects of E20 on Automotive Fuel Pumps and Sending Units. The study compared the effects of E0, E10 and E20 on the performance of 24 fuel pumps and nine sending units and found that E20 has a similar effect as E10 and E0 on fuel pumps and sending units;
  • Demonstration and Driveability Project to Determine the Feasibility of Using E20 as a Motor Fuel. The study tested 40 pairs of vehicles on E0 and E20 and found no driveability or operational issues with either fuel).
• Fuel Permeation from Automotive Systems: E0, E6, E10, E20 and E85, prepared by the Coordinating Research Council, Inc. (CRC Report No. E-65-3) (December 2006). This study evaluated effects of E0, E6, E20 and E85 on the evaporative emissions rates from permeation in five newer California vehicles and found that there was no statistically significant increase in permeation rates between E6 and E20.
• Report to the US Senate on E20 Ethanol Research, prepared by the Rochester Institute of Technology (October 2008). This study evaluated effects of E20 on 10 legacy vehicles. Initial results after 75,000 collective miles driven found no fuel-related failures or significant vehicle problems and documented reductions in regulated tailpipe emissions when using E20 compared to E0.
• Use of Mid-Range Ethanol/Gasoline Blends in Unmodified Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks, prepared by Minnesota Center for Automotive Research (July 1999). This one-year study evaluated the effects of E10 and E30 in 15 older vehicles in "real world" driving conditions. It found no effect on driveability or component compatibility from either fuel and found that regulated exhaust emissions from both fuels were well below federal standards.
• Blending of Ethanol in Gasoline for Spark Ignition Engines: Problem Inventory and Evaporative Measurements, prepared by Stockholm University et. al., (2004 - 2005). This study tested and compared evaporative emissions from E0, E5, E10 and E15 and found lower total hydrocarbon emissions and lower evaporative emissions from E15 than from E10 and E5.