For Immediate Release: February 20, 2009

For More Information Contact: Todd Sneller at (402) 471-2941

Underwriters Labs approves E15 in gas dispensing equipment

Underwriters Laboratories, a leading product safety and testing certification group, recently announced approval of 15% ethanol blends in dispensing equipment certified for regular gasoline. UL’s previous technical bulletins were clarified to ensure that fuel marketers and others were aware that equipment currently in use will tolerate fuels beyond the 10% ethanol in conventional gasoline dispensing equipment.

The decision removes one of the many regulatory roadblocks keeping drivers from using ethanol blends above 10 percent in conventional vehicles. UL decided that there is no significant risk of damage to fuel dispensing equipment when using E15 compared to E10. While Flex Fuel Vehicles can use any level of ethanol up to 85%, the Clean Air Act currently caps the ethanol blend used in conventional vehicles at 10%.

“This is an important first step to allowing drivers to use higher ethanol blends in their vehicles,” said Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. “By using more ethanol, drivers are reducing pollution, strengthening Nebraska’s economy and reducing our dependence on imported oil.”

Read UL’s announcement of the decision here.

UL’s decision will be among the topics discussed at the Ethanol 2009: Emerging Issues Forum, April 2-3 at the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha. For more info on the forum and to register, visit www.ne-ethanol.org/forum2009.

Established in 1971, the Ethanol Board assists ethanol producers with programs and strategies for marketing ethanol and related co-products. The Board supports organizations and policies that advocate the increased use of ethanol fuels – and administers public information, education and ethanol research projects. The Board also assists companies and organizations in the development of ethanol production facilities in Nebraska. For more information, please visit www.ne-ethanol.org.

Click to download a pdf of the press release