Washington, D.C. – Today, Growth Energy’s CEO, Tom Buis released the following statement regarding recent findings on the impacts of higher blends of ethanol on automotive fuel pumps and sending units released by the State of Minnesota on April 2, 2009:
“The study released by Minnesota State University yesterday adds to the sound body of science that overwhelmingly supports the use of higher blends of ethanol in vehicles on the road today. The study, which included a 4,000 hour endurance test, found that gasoline with a 20 percent blend of ethanol (E20) had no negative impacts on the endurance, wear and performance of automotive fuel pumps and sending units from a representative variety of vehicle manufacturers, models and part designs. Further, the study found a clear trend that the fuel pumps showed significantly less wear when tested with E20 blends than with gasoline.
“These results demonstrate what we’ve known for quite some time – increasing the blend of ethanol in our fuel supply from 10 percent to 15 percent will have no adverse impact on a car’s performance, maintenance, or emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should act expeditiously to increase the arbitrary limit on ethanol blends to up to 15 percent as our waiver requests.”
To review the study please visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/renewable/ethanol/e20endurance.pdf
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.