API: EPA must do more to protect consumers

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May 18, 2016, 02:28 ET

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EPA must do more to ensure Americans have access to fuels they want and can safely use in their vehicles until Congress fixes the outdated and broken Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said following EPA's proposal for the 2017 RFS mandates.

"Consumers' interest should come ahead of ethanol interests," said Macchiarola. "EPA is pushing consumers to use high ethanol blends they don't want and that are not compatible with most cars on the road today. The administration is potentially putting the safety of American consumers, their vehicles and our economy at risk."

Higher ethanol blends, such as E15, can damage engines and fuel systems – potentially forcing drivers to pay for costly repairs, according to extensive testing by the auto and oil industries. The Congressional Budget Office found that consumer gas prices could rise by 26 cents per gallon unless EPA lowers RFS mandates. API is urging EPA to set the final ethanol mandate at no more than 9.7 percent of gasoline demand to help avoid the 10 percent ethanol blend wall and meet strong consumer demand for ethanol-free gasoline.

"EPA's proposal makes abundantly clear that the only solution is for Congress to repeal or significantly reform the RFS," Macchiarola said. "Members on both sides of the aisle agree this program is a failure, and we are stepping up our call for Congress to act."

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API's more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation's energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.

SOURCE American Petroleum Institute