Witnesses
Margo Oge
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bob Greco 
Group Director, Downstream and Industry Operations, American Petroleum Institute
Heather White
Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Environmental Working Group
Jeff Wasil
Emissions Certification Engineer, Evinrude Outboard Motors
Mike Brown
President, National Chicken Council
W. Steven Burke
President and CEO, Biofuels Center of North Carolina
Ron Sahu
Technical Consultant, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

 

Subcommittee Members Present
Andy Harris, Chairman (R-MD)
Brad Miller, Ranking Member (D-NC)
Paul Broun (R-GA)
Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Steven Palazzo (R-MS)
Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

 

Committee Members Present
Ralph Hall, Chairman (R-TX)
Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)

 

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on July 7, 2011 on “Hitting the Ethanol Blend Wall: Examining the Science on E15.” In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) stated the purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the validity of the science behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision in granting a partial waiver of the Clean Air Act for the use of fuel blends containing up to 15 percent ethanol (“E15”). He expressed concern for the potential harmful impacts on the vast amount of car, boat, motorcycle, tractor, and lawnmower engines that might use E15 if it is introduced to the market. Many engines are only capable of handling E10 fuels. Ranking Member Brad Miller (D-NC) was concerned by the fact that the Department of Energy (DOE), which conducted most of research in question, was not represented by a witness on the panel. Miller wished the committee had been more patient and allowed for more time before holding the hearing in order for DOE to be represented.

 

In her testimony which supported EPA’s decision, Margo Oge stated the EPA’s “waiver record is extensive and strong.” She gave detailed explanations of the tests the E15 waiver went through and the role of the EPA in setting emission standards. Oge stated that a number of additional steps must still be reached before E15 will be on the market though some of these steps are outside of the EPA’s control. In his testimony, Bob Greco reported that “E15 blends increase the oxygen content of gasoline by 50%, well outside the range for which US vehicles and engines have been designed and warranted.” The American Petroleum Institute (API) has concerns for the EPA’s new fuels tagging system. He warned the committee of the negative impacts on consumers if they are not able to understand the E15 label and the effects of the fuel on engines not suitable for E15. Greco explained the cylinder head, which costs about $3,500 to replace, may be adversely affected. Additionally, studies are being conducted on the effects of ethanol blends, such as E15, on the durability of other parts like fuel pumps that come in contact with E15.

 

Heather White stated in her testimony that “this nation’s biofuels policy is on the wrong path.” She disagreed with EPA’s decision to waive the Clean Air Act and allow for E15 to move forward in the markets. She added that many engines are not suitable for E15 intake, “Yet the ethanol industry, thirsting for bigger markets and more sales, has pressed hard to add E15 to the entire automobile fuel supply, arguing without basis that increased ethanol content in gasoline would somehow foster American energy independence.”

 

In his testimony, Jeff Wasil argued “it is a bad idea for the US Environmental Protection Agency to allow an increase in the volume of ethanol in gasoline.” He expressed concern for the millions of consumers who would be adversely affected by using the incorrect fuel type for their engines, as many engines are not made for anything greater than E10. Wassil stated that engines using ethanol blends run hotter, which creates concerns for the durability of engines as well as increased emissions of Nitrogen Oxides of hydrocarbons. Mike Brown stated in his testimony his concern for how the ethanol industry has been able to operate under government subsidies, protected from market competition. Contrasting most of the other witnesses, Steven Burke provided examples in his testimony of how the Biofuels Center of North Carolina is forging ahead with non-corn based ethanol. Ron Sahu, in his testimony, stated that “unequivocally, the answer is that millions of products including most non-road engines and equipment will sustain a range of damage if the ethanol content of gasoline is increased to 15 percent.”

 

The committee’s questions focused on the impact the sale of E15 would have on car repair warranties. Miller expressed additional concerns for incorporating all pertaining parties to the hearing record. He asked for a letter from the ethanol industry to be incorporated, just as the petroleum industry had its voice heard. White stated the importance of investing in fuels that do not require new pump systems at gas stations, like E15 would require. Burke emphasized the importance of merging technologic and economic thinking.

 

Full testimonies and an archived webcast can be found on the committee web site.