Industry groups challenge EPA's 15 percent ethanol rule

TheExaminer.com (Washington Examiner)
By: Barbara Hollingsworth 03/11/11 3:17 PM

Nine energy, food and retail industry groups have filed a federal court challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to allow refiners to increase ethanol use to 15 percent in vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2006, claiming the agency lacks statutory authority and the decision puts businesses and consumers at risk.

Friday’s filing at the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit supplements an earlier challenge to the EPA’s ruling, which allows E15 to be used in newer vehicles manufactured after 2007.

“The EPA’s decision improperly authorizes an increase in ethanol content of gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent,” said the American Petroleum Institute’s Director of Downstream Operations Bob Greco. “EPA's second E15 waiver was based on just as shaky – if not shakier – legal and technical grounds than the first waiver decision.”

Read more