Automakers want EPA to delay E15 decision

According to the New York Times, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delay any move to raise the ethanol blend limit to 15%, up from 10%, until more engine testing is completed in 2011. The group argues that new tests have shown that the higher blend would cause problems in many cars and raise the amount of pollution. The ethanol industry argues that there is already an abundance of data available proving the safety of the higher blend. However, according to Inside Cal/EPA, “EPA is pushing ahead with its plan to issue in mid-2010 a decision on whether to raise the amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline from 10% to 15% (E15), rejecting arguments by the oil and engine industries that the decision should be delayed until 2011 due to emerging studies that suggest possible engine damage from the higher ethanol blend.