Looking to pave the way for an inevitable request from the state of Minnesota, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., sent a letter to the U.S. EPA on March 9 asking the agency to prepare for an E20 waiver request from Minnesota. Thune specifically urged the EPA to review the issues and applications expected to arise from Minnesota's request.
 
 Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation in May 2005 that would require the state's gasoline supply to contain 20 percent ethanol by 2013, or 2010 if possible. Minnesota, which currently requires E10 in all gasoline, could reach the 20 percent mark by increasing its E85 sales or by enacting an E20 requirement. For that to happen, the EPA would need to certify E20 as a motor fuel. Thune's letter notifies the EPA that Minnesota will request the certification and send an application for a waiver under the Clean Air Act. Tests on E20 are currently being conducted at the University of Minnesota, providing some data needed for the waiver application.
 
 In his letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Thune spelled out his concerns that a delay in approving Minnesota's request will slow down the progress of the ethanol industry as a whole. He mentioned an "E10 wall" that could manifest itself in the next two to three years. The wall would make it virtually impossible to consume all the ethanol produced in the United States because the supply would exceed the artificially lowered demand set by an E10 standard without the possibility of running automobiles on E20.
 
 Thune was also among a bipartisan group of senators who signed a March 19 letter to Keith Williams, president and CEO of Underwriter Laboratories Inc. (UL), asking the UL to approve fuel pumps that are capable of dispensing various blends of ethanol and gasoline. The letter was prompted by the UL's Oct. 5, 2006, suspension of the certification of multiproduct fuel dispensers due to potential problems with corrosion caused by extended contact with E85. Thune and his fellow senators urged the UL to expedite the recertification procedure to avoid potential problems with individual entities rescinding approval of the refueling components.
 
 The full text of Thune's letter follows.
 
 March 9, 2007 
 
 Stephen L. Johnson 
 Administrator 

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 
 Washington, DC 20460 
 
 Dear Administrator Johnson: 
 
 I write to bring your attention to an issue that will be before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the near future which will have a major impact on our nation's growing biofuels industry. 
 
 As you are aware, ethanol and other renewable fuels are breathing new life into rural communities across our nation. The rapid increase of ethanol production is also offsetting the need of oil imports from unstable regions of the world, thereby strengthening our nation's energy security. Both from a rural economic development and national security perspective, it is critical that our developing biofuels industry continues its steady growth over the remainder of this decade and beyond. 
 
 The need for fuel with a higher ratio of ethanol to gasoline is growing by the day. Flex fuel vehicle production is increasing, and I continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to expand the availability of E85 pumps at the retail level. However, the actualization of E85-capable vehicle production and E85 availability is not expected to keep pace with the rapid expansion of domestic ethanol production. According to the Congressional Research Service, approximately 99% of domestically consumed ethanol is E10 or blends of gasoline with up to 10% ethanol -- while only one percent is consumed as E85. 
 
 Recently, Guy Caruso, Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, in testimony before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, stated that the supply of ethanol will soon exceed the demand because refiners primarily blend E10 for use in automobiles. Similar concerns have been expressed by industry leaders in my state who are concerned that we will hit an "E10 Wall" in the next two to three years if gasoline with a higher ratio of ethanol is not timely approved and made available to consumers. 
 
 In the coming months, I understand the EPA will receive a waiver request from the state of Minnesota asking that the EPA approve the use of E20 in automobiles. Pursuant to section 211 of the Clean Air Act, EPA has limited time to act on such an application. Given the importance of this impending request, and the required analysis involved to ensure that E20 does not impair the emissions control systems of vehicles, I urge the EPA to begin preparations now by reviewing any and all issues associated with such a waiver application. In the event you become aware of any legislative hurdles that may need to be addressed in this process, I ask that you inform my office as soon as possible. 
 
 In summary, the President has made a historic commitment to ethanol production by calling for 35 billion gallons of alternative fuel by 2017. I believe this goal, while ambitious, is achievable if we have the courage to continue to grow our nation's biofuels industry. By approving higher grades of ethanol-blended gasoline for use in non-flex fuel vehicles, the EPA can ensure a viable market for ethanol, give consumers greater choice of transportation motor fuels, and ensure that our ethanol industry does not hit the "E10 Wall" as automakers and consumers transition away from traditional fossil fuels. 

 
 Thank you for your consideration regarding this matter and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions. 
 
 Kindest regards, 
 
 JOHN THUNE 
 United States Senate

Thune seeks EPA approval of E20

Upcoming Events

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Thune seeks EPA approval of E20.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}

Upcoming Events

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Thune seeks EPA approval of E20