U.S. automakers protest use of E15

Domestic and foreign automakers have stated their concerns over E15 gasoline, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to allow at U.S. gasoline retail outlets. The EPA has released its warning sticker for gasoline containing 15% ethanol, which is a final step before the higher ethanol blend can be sold in the U.S. A dozen companies have written to Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.), who is the vice chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, in response to requests he sent to 14 automakers seeking information on whether the higher blend posed problems for their vehicles. The congressman has introduced legislation to block the EPA from allowing E15. (July 6, 2011)