Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: New report shows no adverse effects of E15 use

Contact: Joshua Morby 414.791.9120

Milwaukee, Wis. – A new report released this week demonstrates the feasibility of increasing the amount of ethanol blended with traditional gasoline to 15%.

Automotive engineering firm Ricardo, Inc. analyzed the effect of E15 on US vehicles made by six manufacturers between the 1994 and 2000 model years. The company found that E15 did not adversely affect components of the fuel system or affect general performance of the vehicles.

“This study further proves that the Environmental Protection Agency should lift the blend wall on ethanol in gasoline and allow blends of up to 15% onto the market,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance (WBIA). “The WBIA has long supported allowing E15 to be used in vehicles nationwide. It’s been proven safe in study after study, it would reduce our impact on the environment, and it would help grow our economy here in Wisconsin.”

Over the past few years, multiple studies involving over 100 vehicles have been done to examine the effects of E15 on engines. Among those studies is one conducted by the US Department of Energy, which concluded that there were no significant changes in vehicle drivability when E15 was used instead of traditional gasoline.

Another study by North Dakota State University last year outlined the positive effects E15 would have on the nation’s economy, including 136,000 new jobs and an additional $24.4 billion in economic activity.

“Given the obvious economic and environmental benefits, we need to seize the opportunity to replace foreign oil with a domestically-produced fuel with ethanol,” Morby said.

To view the complete Ricardo study, please visit http://www.wisconsinbioindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RicardoStudy.pdf.

The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is a diverse group of businesses, environmental groups, and statewide and local organizations that have come together to build both public and legislative awareness of the Bio Industry in Wisconsin.

For more information about the Alliance, or to find out how to join, please visit our website: http://www.wisconsinbioindustry.com.