S.D. senators urge more research on ethanol blends

Argus Leader
Staff reports • October 28, 2008

Fifteen U.S. Senators, including South Dakota's Sen. John Thune and Sen. Tim Johnson, have urged U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman to do more research on using ethanol blends higher than E10 (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline) in conventional vehicle engines.

“Ethanol production will soon outpace consumption if we do not expedite the approval of blends higher than E10,” Thune said. “Initial studies regarding intermediate blends such as E15 and E20 are very encouraging, however more research needs to be done. The Department of Energy must continue to work with the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the auto industry, to ensure that the market for homegrown renewable fuels does not become saturated.”

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