Underwriters Labs OKs E15 delivery from existing gas pumps; clears way for increase in ethanol blending to relieve ethanol overcapacity crisis

Underwriters Labs has confirmed that it will approve a 15 percent ethanol blend in gasoline using existing gasoline pump infrastructure, according to the Nebraska Ethanol Board.

The ruling makes it possible to move to E15 if the EPA alters the existing cap for ethanol content in fuel used by non-flex fuel vehicles. The cap is currently 10 percent, limiting the blending of ethanol in non-flex-fuel vehicles to a theoretical maximum of less than 14 billion gallons.

The failure of E85 infrastructure, collapsing ethanol and oil prices and persistently high corn prices have thrown the US ethanol industry into financial disarray, and ethanol promoters have lobbied hard for E15 to resolve an ethanol overcapacity crisis. On January 7th, UL had issued a statement that UL 87 pumps used almost universally in gasoline distribution, were only authorized for 10 percent ethanol content.

Prior to January 7th, UL technical bulletins had supported the use of E15.  “UL determined that there is no significant incremental risk of damage between E10 and fuels with a maximum of 15 percent ethanol,” John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager for UL, told the Independent.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Underwriters Laboratories certifies E85 fuel dispensers; may prompt sudden increase in E85 availability

Underwriters Laboratories have announced certification requirements for E85 dispensers. E85 pumps could be certified by UL this year. The absence of certification for E85 pumps was a major reason that...

Underwriters Labs launches environmental claims verification service

In Illinois, Underwriters Laboratories announced the launch of an "environmental claims verification service", aimed at auditing product claims regarding environmentally sustainable products via indep...

UL says most US gas pumps not certified for E15, as USDA, EPA meet over potential increase in ethanol blend levels

In Washington, Bloomberg reports that the USDA and the EPA have commenced discussions aimed at raising ethanol blending levels in the United States. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack confirmed the tal...

Underwriters Labs develops new gas pump certification for E11-E25 ethanol blends

In Illinois, Underwriters Laboratories announced a new certification path for fuel dispensers for mid-level ethanol blends up to E25. With the new certification path, manufacturers of dispensers, asse...

Illinois corn marketers predict big increase in E85 availability in 2008

The Illinois Corn Marketing Board projects a massive increase in E85 availability after Underwriters Laboratories certifies ethanol pumps as safe, which is expected by year-end, A spokesman for the Bo...

John Deere debuts corn ethanol contract insurance; will permit farmers to make higher delivery commitments

In Missouri, John Deere announced a new corn-for-ethanol delivery contract insurance that would supplement existing crop coverage for farmers. John Deere executives said that the new insurance coverag...