Sen Harkin calls for E85 Promotion in Climate Legislation

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) says he wants Congress to use a climate bill to compel auto companies to make new cars and trucks capable of running on 85% ethanol as well as conventional gasoline. “We own the automobile companies. Why not? I think that will be an easy one,” Harkin said Thursday, referring to the government interests in Chrysler and General Motors. Harkin also wants the bill to include provisions increasing the installation of E85 fuel pumps. And he says he wants to force EPA to allow conventional gasoline to contain as much as 15% ethanol. The current limit is 10%.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said recently that all new vehicles should be equipped to run on E85. GM, Chrysler and Ford have been voluntarily making some E85-capable cars and trucks for years but have resisted being required to fit all cars for the fuel.