Ethanol makers push U.S. to boost fuel blend rate

Reuters.com
Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:42pm EST
By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government should set the ethanol-to-gasoline blend rate above the current 10 percent to ensure federal targets for using the renewable fuel are met, industry leaders said on Tuesday.

They said a blend rate of 15 percent or 20 percent may be more appropriate. Jeff Broin of POET, the largest U.S. ethanol maker, said a newly formed trade group, Growth Energy, would work with the Environmental Protection Agency on the issue.

Asked if the Obama administration would support higher blends, Broin said "We see tremendous alignment between our goals."