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Economy
EPA Sets 4-Gallon Minimum for Motorists Buying Gas at Ethanol-15 Pumps
2012-09-21
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated that all consumers in the United States must purchase at least 4 gallons of gasoline when they go to the gas station, if they are getting fuel from a pump that also offers a new E15 ethanol-gasoline blend.
Don't worry; they'll soon impose a maximum as well. And you'll need special coupon books...
The Obama administration wants consumers to use more of the E15 fuel -- a blend that contains 15 percent ethanol -- but the problem is that many gas stations use blender pumps, which offer several types of fuel and, after pumping, there always is a residual amount of fuel in the hose. E15 fuel can potentially damage engines made prior to 2000 and it cannot be used in motorcycles, ATVs, and many other engines, such as lawn mowers and boat engines.

So, to circumvent the potential problems, the EPA is requiring a 4-gallon minimum from blender pumps to ensure that any E15 fuel residue is diluted. (Stations that provide a completely separate, single hose for E15 only are exempt from the rule.)

But many lawmakers, as well as motorcycle and off-road specialists, say the EPA rule is not a viable solution and that requiring people to buy a minimum of 4 gallons of gasoline is not acceptable.

The Obama administration announced in April that it had begun issuing waivers to allow for the sale of gasoline that contains 15 percent volume ethanol (E15), a product previously not approved for the market.
One of Champ's favorite activities (after golf) is issuing waivers...
"To enable widespread use of E15, the Obama Administration has set a goal to help fueling station owners install 10,000 blender pumps over the next 5 years," stated an EPA press release on April 2.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), which represents 225,000 members across the country, has reached out to the EPA over their concern over E15.

"At the current time we're not aware of any manufacturer of motorcycles that has approved E15 for the use in motorcycle engines," said AMA Spokesperson Pete terHorst. "So, the AMA has been asking the EPA what it will do to prevent the inadvertent fueling of motorcycles with E15 fuel. That's a big concern to our members."
Posted by:Au Auric

#9  first wave of EPA firings in a Romney Admin. Get your "hire me now, ___________________ (substitute name of Progressive Institute!" boilerplate at my newsletter..oh, wait...
Posted by: Frank G   2012-09-21 21:50  

#8  @#6, did that today myself, had the same thought

Likely, you just get your gallon and get charged for 4.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2012-09-21 21:13  

#7  Fred sent me.

I got some 10 litre cans of gas from Canada here in the trunk. No ethanol. Only $25 a can.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2012-09-21 19:15  

#6  What do you do about fueling your lawnmower or other gasoline powered tools, chainsaws, weedeaters, generators? I guess they will be mandating that 1, 2, 2.5 gal containers are gone. How much do fuel tanks on motorcycles hold? It seems that some of them don't hold 4 gallons. EPA needs to be cut back seriously; they have become a radical left organization.
Posted by: JohnQC   2012-09-21 17:06  

#5  Mechanisms now in place, lovely. Limits on gasoline sales.....hmmmm, used to be called RATIONING.... no ?

Where are my gasoline stamps from yesterday's post?
Posted by: Besoeker   2012-09-21 16:47  

#4  I'll agree to this if every time I fill up, an EPA official has to drink 4 gallons of the same fuel. And they have to do there, at the gas station in front of us.

Why no, that's not a sparkler in my hand, it's a combustion fueled signalling device.
Posted by: Silentbrick - Schlumberger Squishy Mud Division   2012-09-21 16:03  

#3  Some of us know it from computer programming, but one of the sure signs that You're Doing It Wrong(tm) is your rule sets become more and more complicated, with all sorts of tweaks and exceptions and special cases. At some point, the only sane thing to do is pitch the whole mess and start over.
Posted by: SteveS   2012-09-21 13:38  

#2  E15 fuel can potentially damage engines made prior to 2000
Article neglects to mention that some manufacturers of 2012 models (e.g. Hyundai) FORBID use of anything more alcoholic than E10.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2012-09-21 10:45  

#1  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated

We are a nation of laws passed by representatives of the people. Take your mandates you think you can shove down peoples throats and shove them up your ... .
Posted by: Elmump Elmereck1851   2012-09-21 10:41  

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