Certification advances corn ethanol

A new ethanol limit in standard gasoline has been certified for two national fuel dispensers. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent product-safety certification organization, approved a new industry allotment of E-25 fuel for Dresser Wayne and Gilbarco Veeder-Root – two leading fuel-facility service providers.

Twenty-five percent of fuel composition dispensed from these petroleum pumps at retail stations throughout the world can contain ethanol – an increase from the established E-10 limit (10-percent ethanol blended with petroleum) that is customary at retail stations throughout the country. E-25 can be used in standard engines without any adjustments.

“Motorists continue to call for ‘greener’ fueling solutions and retailers are demanding technologies that will help them stay in front of the market opportunity while managing regulatory changes,” said Scott Negley, director of alternative energy products at Dresser Wayne in a MarketWatch story. “Our Eco Fuel dispenser is in use across North America and is designed to handle the higher blends without modifications.”

The certification will help expand corn ethanol’s important role in America. Increased ethanol limits in standard gasoline will increase ethanol production for everyone’s benefit.

Domestic corn-ethanol production is not only good for our country’s agriculture sector, but it also stimulates rural communities by creating high-paying jobs, boosting local tax revenues and creating partnership opportunities for local businesses. In addition, it decreases our dependency on foreign oil, which is vital to our nation’s security and economy.

“Increasing consumer demand for ethanol-based fuels, combined with incentive programs to encourage the development of an infrastructure to deliver these fuels, is helping to create demand for a range of products,” said Chad Johnson, product manager at Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

Ethanol production makes fuel cheaper for consumers and is essential to achieving the requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard that was enacted in the Energy and Security Act of 2007, which states that the U.S. must use 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022.

This certification helps prompt important legislation currently residing in Congress that urges the EPA to adjust ethanol’s standard-blend allowance.

Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) and other ethanol-related groups, including the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), support measures that increase the allowable amount of ethanol in standard gasoline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering allowing blenders to increase the industry standard from E-10 to E-15. This past year, UL certified the use of E-15 for all domestic fuel pumps.

Ethanol awareness and education is important. Knowledgeable consumers and lawmakers can shape the direction of a more energy-secure, environmentally conscious and economically productive nation.

Tags: biofuels, Corn, epa, Ethanol, fuel, gasoline, OCGA, petroleum, security