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New Report Calls Attention to Potential Impacts of Using Mid-Level Ethanol Blends in Consumer Equipment

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 June 2007, 12:02 CDT

WASHINGTON, June 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report on the potential impacts of mid-level ethanol blends (fuels with over 10% ethanol) on engines, vehicles, boats and equipment identified significant technical concerns that could lead to unintended risks to consumers and their products. Abruptly changing the US "general purpose" motor gasoline pool could lead to "adverse, large-scale impacts if higher than E10 is required as motor gasoline for the existing fleet of on-road and off-road equipment," the report concluded.

"The technical challenges and data gaps strongly indicate the need for significant additional study," says the report's author, Dr. Ron Sahu. "Mid- level ethanol blends can cause increases in combustion heat release and the potential corrosion and degradation of products and their fuel and emission control systems that are not specifically designed for these higher levels of ethanol."

The report was released by the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment (AllSAFE), a new coalition of consumer and user groups and manufacturing associations to help assure the safe and successful introduction of new bio-based fuels.

Dr. Sahu's report comes at a time when several federal and state legislative measures are being considered to increase the allowed concentration of ethanol in gasoline above the current 10% limit or cap. "AllSAFE is working to improve our understanding of the unknown impacts of ethanol fuels on consumers, manufacturers, gasoline retailers, and the environment before we undertake any legislative action that could harm consumers or the environment," said AllSAFE spokesman Bill Guerry with the law firm of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon. "We support ethanol and other renewable fuel options and want to ensure their long-term success is not marred by unintended effects on existing products, which could lead to consumer rejection of ethanol and other valuable renewable fuels."

About AllSAFE

AllSAFE speaks on fuel-related legislation that affects over 250 million Americans who own and operate over 300 million products, including recreational boats and marine engines, chainsaws, lawnmowers, motor vehicles, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, generators, and related vehicles and equipment.

AllSAFE's purpose is to assure all new bio-based fuels (such as ethanol or other renewable fuels) are promoted in a thoughtful manner that is safe and will not harm consumers and their products, the environment, or the economic infrastructure, both manufacturing and retail. AllSAFE is made up of the following national associations that represent: (1) consumer and commercial users of ethanol blends and other fuels in their equipment and vehicles; (2) manufacturers of boats, vehicles, engines and equipment; and (3) gasoline retailers that sell gasoline and ethanol-fuel blends, including the existing 10% ethanol blends.

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers American Motorcyclist Association Association of Marina Industries Association of International Automobile Manufacturers Boat Owners Association of the United States Engine Manufacturers Association International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association Motorcycle Industry Council National Association of Convenience Stores National Marine Manufacturers Association Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Personal Watercraft Industry Association Professional Landcare Network Specialty Vehicle Institute of America

AllSAFE

CONTACT: Jennifer Quasdorf of Sightline Marketing for AllSAFE,+1-202-342-8415, Jennifer@sightlinemarketing.com

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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