Today, Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley is testifying at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) hearing on the proposed Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Rule (SAFE). Representing the nation’s leading ethanol advocate, Bliley discussed the benefits of high-octane, midlevel ethanol fuel blends in improving octane and lowering greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions.

“The American ethanol industry stands ready to move America forward,” said Bliley. “With a stable policy and access to drivers, we believe we can deliver low-carbon, low-cost, high-performing, sustainable vehicle fuel solutions.”

Bliley continued, stating that “[t]he science supporting the benefits of a high-octane fuel, and specifically a midlevel ethanol blend in the E25-E30 range, in conjunction with a high compression ratio engine is not new, and has been well-explored by the national laboratories, automobile manufacturers, and other scientific institutions. Ethanol has a very high-octane number, has a lower carbon content than the gasoline components it replaces, and has many other benefits that assist in combustion to increase engine efficiency and reduce both greenhouse gas and tailpipe criteria pollutant emissions.”

Growth Energy has long advocated for higher octane, midlevel ethanol blends and first submitted a proposal for a 100 RON, E30 fuel nearly seven years ago, when the agencies first developed joint standards for vehicles. The benefits of supporting high-octane, midlevel blends like E25 and E30 have been well documented by a range of national, scientific, and private institutions.

Growth Energy continues to encourage EPA and NHTSA to remove regulatory barriers to the adoption of high octane, midlevel ethanol blends. This includes approving blends like 100 RON, E30 fuel for vehicle certification, requiring minimum octane standards, updating fuel economy formulas, re-establishing flex-vehicle credits, and granting waiver relief for all ethanol blends over 10 percent; all of which would provide a cleaner, more affordable fuel for our nation’s drivers.

To read Chris Bliley’s testimony as prepared for delivery, visit our website.

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Press Contact:
Leigh Claffey
202.545.4000
[email protected]