The ethanol industry’s regulatory and legislative strategy to gain approval for E15 either by regulation or legislation is outlined.While E15 has been generally approved for use in the nation’s fuel supply since 2011 (for all automobiles starting with model year 2001), its volatility prevents usage in the summer months when there are clean air regulations that regulate fuels based on their evaporation rates (i.e., volatility). Volatility is measured in Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), and summer fuels must have an RVP of 9 pounds per square inch (psi) or less. Biofuels blended into gasoline make the finished fuel exceed the RVP standard by 1 psi. Basic E10 was granted a 1 psi waiver from the RVP standards to ensure a year-round supply of biofuels...

TAGS – Feed Grains, Biofuels, Energy, North America