WASHINGTON, DC – A recent study conducted by the auto and oil industry-funded Coordinated Research Council (CRC) is inconclusive because it failed to complete sufficient vehicle testing and it ignored a “pile of data” from academic, government and third-party research that proves a 15 percent blend of ethanol in gasoline is not harmful to engine and emissions systems durability or drivability, said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, in a statement released today in response to the CRC report.
“The Growth Energy Green Jobs Waiver was accompanied by more scientific data – more independently-gathered statistical information and study – than any of the previous 11 waivers approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. That pile of data was overwhelming in the evidence that moving to E15 would not make any difference to the drivability or the endurance of today’s cars and trucks,” Buis said. “If we move to E15 we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 10.5 million cars from the road, create 136,000 jobs here in the U.S., and end oil imports equivalent to what Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez sells into the United States every day.”
In December, the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that engine testing so far showed that 2001-and later vehicles could be eligible for E15. They wrote, “Although all of the studies have not been completed, our engineering assessment to date indicates that the robust fuel, engine and emissions control systems on newer vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15.”
The ongoing CRC research is slated to test 16 engines with model years ranging from 2001 to 2009 but only eight engines to date have undergone durability testing — and only four are 100% complete.
“The CRC’s results are inconclusive and incomplete: only half of the vehicles completed durability testing. It would be foolish to accept these results as fact. The EPA has told us in writing that they intend to complete their testing on E15 before making a decision, and we are confident they will. We are also confident that the testing will show what we already know: that E15 can run just fine in today’s modern engines, all while creating good paying jobs here in America,” added Buis.
The science behind Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver can be found on its website here: /ethanol-issues-policy/e15-green-jobs-waiver/e15-supporting-science/
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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.