Maine Crafting High-Ethanol Fuel Blend Ban

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency started allowing the sale of the 15 percent ethanol blend in June 2012. While it's currently available at just 10 gas stations spread across Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, the ethanol industry is aggressively marketing the E15 blend and pushing for its more widespread adoption in the marketplace.

New legislation in Maine's state legislature could prevent the federal government's mandate for higher ethanol content in fuel from reaching some New England states, in an attempt to prevent that damage to engines and voided warranties the fuel can cause.

One of the two bills, introduced Jan. 24 by state Rep. Jeff Timberlake, would form a coalition with other New England states to create an ethanol-free gasoline market. The other would cut the percentage of ethanol permitted in Maine's gasoline from 10 percent to five.

If Maine lawmakers approve the ethanol ban, it would only take effect if two other New England states pass similar policies. Timberlake told the Maine Sun Journal that New Hampshire has passed similar legislation, and Canadian petroleum-vendor Irving has offered to deliver ethanol-free gasoline to New England customers if a minimum of three states agree to eliminate ethanol from their gas supply.

The legislation is a byproduct of concerns about E15 "?u a gasoline blend with 15 percent ethanol "?u voiced in recent months by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the American Automobile Association, fuel dealers and others, who say that most small engines and many cars on U.S. roads are not equipped to handle an ethanol-richer blend.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials say they expect the federal government to push mandatory use of more ethanol-heavy gasoline. The 10 percent blend became common when the 2007 federal Renewable Fuel Standard started requiring fuel producers to blend more renewable fuels "?u mostly ethanol "?u into gasoline annually. In 2008, the RFS required 9 billion gallons of renewable fuel be blended into gasoline. That number will rise to 36 billion gallons by 2022, according to the EPA.

According to AAA, about 95 percent of car owners could face the possibility of voided warranties on their vehicles if they fuel up with E15. A recent survey by the association found that five auto manufacturers explicitly stated their warranties wouldn't cover E15-related damage claims. Eight other automakers said E15 doesn't comply with their vehicles' fuel requirements, and that use of the fuel blend could result in a voided warranty.

In contrast, the Washington, D.C.-based Renewable Fuels Association, which represents the ethanol industry, says 62 percent of light-duty vehicles on U.S. roads today, representing 80 percent of fuel purchases, can use E15.

Since E15 is unlikely to make it to Maine soon, the legislation appears to be "a solution in search of a problem," said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.