AFPM Says EPA Action on E15 Irresponsible

SAN ANTONIO, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency announced it has approved the first applications for the registration of gasoline that contains 15 percent ethanol (E15) – a 50 percent increase from the 10 percent ethanol now allowed to be blended with gasoline. Drevna, in San Antonio for AFPM's International Petrochemical Conference, said:

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"Unfortunately, today's EPA announcement represents yet another in the agency's unwise, premature and irresponsible series of actions in its rush to force E15 to the marketplace. EPA's hasty attempts to speed introduction of E15 before necessary testing is complete could endanger the safety of American consumers, threatening their vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment with possibly severe damage. This action is more about political science than real science because it is designed to protect the ethanol industry rather than the American people.

"This decision is particularly troubling, since recent information released by the Coordinating Research Council shows failures when using E15 in vehicles approved by EPA. With a lawsuit by AFPM and other organizations on this critical issue about to be heard, there is no reason for EPA to have rushed to judgment and acted so recklessly."

About AFPM

AFPM, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (formerly known as NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association) is a trade association representing high-tech American manufacturers of virtually the entire U.S. supply of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, other fuels and home heating oil, as well as the petrochemicals used as building blocks for thousands of vital products in daily life. AFPM members make modern life possible and keep America moving and growing as they meet the needs of our nation and local communities, strengthen economic and national security, and support 2 million American jobs.

SOURCE American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers